KEY STAGE 4 OPTIONS BOOKLET 2021 - 2023 2 Belief, Values, Vision We are an aspirational and inclusive Academy that champions the values of respect, commitment and achievement. We facilitate great learning and exceptional progress through an inspirational, knowledge rich curriculum. We improve life chances for our students by tackling disadvantage and removing barriers to learning to ensure all students achieve their potential. Students leave our academy as self-respecting, compassionate global citizens. Students first Learning is central to everything No excuses Respect Commitment Achievement 3 CONTENTS 4/5/6. Parent Letter 7/8. Option Process timeline 8/9. Curriculum Pathways 10. How to make the correct choices 11/12. Frequently asked questions 13. Useful websites 14. GCSE English Language 15. GCSE English Literature 16. GCSE Mathematics 17. GCSE Philosophy and Ethics 31. GCSE Statistics 18. GCSE Science 32. GCSE Textiles 19. GCSE Fine Art 33. BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Music 20. GCSE Business Studies 34. BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts & Acting 21. GCSE Computer Science 35. BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts & Dance 22. GCSE Dance 36. BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Health & Social Care 23. GCSE 3D Design 37. BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Media Production 24. GCSE Drama 38. OCR Cambridge Nationals in Sport 25. GCSE French/Spanish 39. OCR Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia 26. GCSE Geography 40. Eduqas WJEC Level 2 Award in Hospitality & Catering 27. GCSE History 41. Duke of Edinburugh 28. GCSE Music 42. Enrichment 29. GCSE Photography 43 – 50 Welcome to KS4 30. GCSE Psychology 4 Year 9 Options 2021-2023 Dear parents and carers, The Options process will be the first genuine opportunity students have to influence their own education. With such an important decision, we want to ensure students are able to make the right choices, by offering as much support and guidance as possible. As a school, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that equips students fully for life after Ninestiles and that nurtures their talents. We aim to ensure that the information and guidance provided will support your child through the options process and ensure that their informed choices lead to the maximisation of their potential. The most recent GCSE reforms mean that students face a new range of challenges at all levels of their education. All GCSE courses will be more rigorous, demanding and challenging and therefore require commitment and dedication from our students. There will be no tiered exam papers except in Mathematics, Science and Modern Foreign Languages. The grade scale for these new GCSEs now ranges from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest. There will be a greater emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar in written exams. For most students, this means that in order to compete with the very best, they may wish to focus on the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects which place a greater focus on certain key subjects seen as offering academic rigour and a firm foundation for students’ future success, whichever route they follow. Ninestiles is a truly inclusive school. Our aim is to offer a broad and balanced curriculum which is accessible for all, and at the same time, one which is varied and meets the distinct needs and aspirations of our students. We wish to ensure the combination of courses our students study provides suitable progression routes into post‐16 study and beyond, whether academic, vocational or straight into employment. This is of paramount importance to us. There are two main types of qualification, ‘GCSE’ and ‘Technical’. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is primarily an exam‐based qualification, which may include some coursework or practical work, depending on the nature of the subject. Technical qualifications result in a Level 2 qualification which is GCSE equivalent. The final qualification is mainly based on coursework which is completed throughout the course, but all Technical courses also feature an examined element. Students will be guided to the type of course that we believe they will be most successful in. KS4 Curriculum Throughout Key Stage Four, all students study for GCSEs (or equivalent). There are two main groups of subjects, Core which are compulsory and Option subjects. These will all be studied for two years and examined in the summer of Year 11, 2023. Core Subjects 5 Core Curriculum Qualifications GCSE English Language One GCSE GCSE English Literature One GCSE GCSE Mathematics One GCSE GCSE Combined science or separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) Two GCSEs (Three GCSEs) GCSE Philosophy and ethics One GCSE HAL Non-examined Aspire and PSHE Non-examined * subjects in bold form part of the EBacc qualification In addition to this, students will select five other subject choices (two of these are reserve) which will form their ‘Options’ Modern Foreign Languages Humanities Other Options GCSE French GCSE Geography GCSE Drama GCSE Psychology GCSE Spanish GCSE History BTEC Creative Media GCSE Statistics GCSE Music WJEC Hospitality and Catering GCSE Fine Art BTEC Performing Arts - Acting GCSE Business Studies BTEC Health and Social Care GCSE Computer Science BTEC Enterprise GCSE 3D Design Cambridge National Sport GCSE Photography OCR Cambridge National in Creative iMedia GCSE Textiles BTEC Music GCSE Drama BTEC Performing Arts - Dance 6 Support Available To support all students in making these decisions we will provide the following: • An Options information introductory assembly • An Aspire lesson to allow students to consider their strengths and weaknesses and what options might be best for them • Opportunities to discuss their subjects and progress with their teachers in lessons • Taster sessions arranged within normal lessons • Careers education, advice and guidance in assembly • Options Information Evening for parents and students Tuesday 12th January, 4.00-6.00pm (Options forms and this booklet will be issued then and will also be available online). • Year 9 full parents evening Tuesday 9th February, 3.30-6.30pm. • An Options booklet containing all the necessary information • Consultation in tutor time or with a senior member of staff if required • Students will also have access to an independent careers advisor The deadline for the return of the Options form is Friday 12th Febuary. 7 NB: Please read through the Options Booklet carefully as it should contain all you need to know to help you have meaningful discussions with your son/daughter about these important choices. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me either through my school email address [email protected] or at one of the Options events. Yours faithfully Mrs Andrea Stephens Vice Principal Ninestiles, an Academy Year 9 Options: Year 9 Journey Towards Key Stage 4 Options Monday 14th December-Monday Timeline 8th February Option activities in lessons and Tutor Monday 11th January Tuesday 12th January Option Evening Careers and Progression for Parents/Carers. routes assembly. Friday 12th February Deadline for submission of option form Tuesday 28th April Year 9 Parents/Carers Evening Monday 7th June Option timetable check Monday 5th July Transition to Key Stage 4 activities Option 1: Students must choose Options 3-5: choose three options from the subjects listed below. (Note two of these will be your 8 one language reserve options) GCSE Spanish GCSE Fine Art GCSE History BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts - Acting GCSE French GCSE Business Studies GCSE Geography BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts - Dance **GCSE Computer Science Option 2: Students must choose BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Health & Social Care one humanities subject GCSE 3D Design BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Media Production GCSE History GCSE Drama GCSE Geography GCSE Media Studies Cambridge OCR Nationals in Sport GCSE Music Cambridge OCR Nationals in Creative iMedia GCSE Photography GCSE Psychology Eduqas WJEC level 2 Award Hospitality & Catering GCSE Statistics White Pathway Option Choices (Grammar School, Russell Group Universities) GCSE Textiles Option 1: Students must choose one Options 2-5: Any four options from the subjects listed across the two columns below. (Note two of these will be your subject in this column reserve options) GCSE Spanish/French GCSE GCSE Fine Art GCSE Dance Btec Level 2 Tech awards in Performing Arts - Acting GCSE Textiles GCSE History BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Health & Social Care GCSE Geography GCSE Business Studies **GCSE Computer Science BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Media Production GCSE 3D Design Cambridge OCR Nationals in Sport GCSE Drama Cambridge OCR Nationals in Creative iMedia GCSE Geography GCSE History Eduqas WJEC level 2 Award Hospitality & Catering GCSE Spanish/French Btec Level 2 Tech awards in Performing Arts - Dance GCSE Media Studies BTEC Level 2 Creative Media GCSE Music Orange Pathway Option Choices FE college University Apprenticeship GCSE Photography GGCSE Psychology GCSE Statistics 9 *Dependent on numbers - select on option form if interested Psychology will have a minimum English threshold for entry (At least A2) Forbidden combinations Computer Science and Btec Creative imedia GCSE 3D Design, GCSE Fine Art and GCSE Textiles Please note that all options are provisional subject to sufficient numbers to make the course viable and the GCSEs/BTECs being on the Government’s approved qualifications list. Bold refers to EBacc subjects (see introductory letter). The EBacc qualification is gained by securing GCSE passes across English, Mathematics, Science, History/Geography