Options Book Year 9

CONTENTS

Key Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

Key Stage 4 Curriculum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4

Optional Subjects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

Intervention Strategies & Grades . . . . . . . . .page 6

Pathways to Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 7

The Three Stages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 8

Core Subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

Optional Subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14

Key Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 36

Next Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 37

Options Process - Year 9

Key information

Choosing your Future

For the Student:
You are about to start out on an exciting stage in your education. You now have the chance to make some decisions about your future by choosing some of the subjects that you wish to study in Years 10 and 11. Making this decision can be tough and it can be very confusing, so here are some simple ways to make it easier to make the right choice:

Try to choose subjects…….
that you think you will enjoy and feel you are good at;
that you may need for your future education and/or career;
that you are most likely to work enthusiastically and succeed at;
that provide a balance and variety. By keeping a balance at this stage, you will not close off future options.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mandela)

For the Parent/Carer:
I hope you find the information in this guide interesting, useful and accessible. While there are a core suite of subjects your son/daughter must study, they must now also consider the optional subjects that they will study.

The curriculum has undergone significant changes over recent years, and is due for more in the future. Our aim is to provide a curriculum and a pathway to ‘future-proof’ your child against these changes, and to ensure that they are able to compete in the employment and education market on the horizon and beyond.

The Government are encouraging schools, pupils and parents, to follow a ‘traditional’ curriculum in Key Stage 4. That is to say, English, Maths, Science, a Language and a Humanities subject (Geography or History). This is called the EBacc qualification. We support this by offering all students the opportunity to study these Ebacc subjects.

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands” (Anne Frank)

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Core elements are compulsory for everyone:

At Meopham School we have a three year groups in Key Stage 3 and a two year groups in Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4 allows students to continue to engage with the core curriculum, while choosing to pursue subjects that they have an interest in, and will help them progress with their future plans. Therefore in the middle of year 9, students will need to choose their Key Stage 4 options, ready to begin at the start of year 10.

This book describes, in detail, each element of the curriculum.

As per the table above, you can gain five qualifications just from this core part of the curriculum.

All students who currently study a language (French or Spanish) will continue to do so. Those who do not currently study a language will continue to follow the same Digital IT (DIT) course they have studying in Year 9.

Optional Subjects and Courses

GCSE Subjects

These subjects follow a specification leading to final examinations. Some will have a mixture of controlled assessment (coursework based) elements combined with exams while some will be assessed on exams alone. These subjects are: Geography, History, French, Spanish, and Art.

Vocational Subjects

BTEC courses are closely linked to vocational work and case studies. There is an element of external assessment. At least 75% is internally assessed, with a maximum of 25% assessed externally. The internal assessment takes the form of regular assignments, which must be completed on time throughout the course. The BTEC subjects which we are currently offering are Health and Social Care, Sport, Music, Digital Information Technology, Enterprise, Performing Arts, and Hospitality and Catering.

Due to the Government’s current curriculum reform process, all qualifications are subject to change. However, the school will always keep you well informed and ensure that all curriculum decisions are made with the best interests of our students.

Careers

Students in Key Stage 4 will have Careers guidance in a variety of ways, including through Values lessons, Advisories, Assemblies, Drop Down Days and one-to-one interviews. Thought should be given now to potential careers the pupil may want to follow in the future. These thoughts can inform choices and set goals for achievement.

Core PE

Students have a double lesson of Core PE per week and they will continue with following the curriculum across a range of sports. In addition, they now have the opportunity to access the fitness gym as part of their fitness lessons and will focus on game based activities, building on leadership and officiating.

Intervention Strategies and Extension Clubs

Qualification Grades

We are absolutely committed at Meopham School to supporting and challenging every student to achieve their personal best. During KS4 we use a range of additional intervention strategies to ensure that as many students as possible achieve at least five 9-5 GCSE grades (or equivalent) including English and Maths by the time they reach the end of Year 11. Strategies used include additional lessons, small group support and one-to-one tuition in English and Maths. All students will be supported and guided (both formally and informally) by their tutors, Heads of House and by their Learning Leader. Our mission is to enable every student to achieve their long-term goals.

Grades have now changed from the traditional A*-G to a 9-1 scale. Below is a conversion chart to illustrate the change from letter grades to number based grades:

The BTEC courses will again follow the same grading system as GCSE and result in Starred Distinction, Distinction, Merit or Pass, which are the equivalent of one GCSE pass.

GCSE English
Language

Exam Board AQA

What will I study?

A range of fiction and non-fiction texts from the 19th and 20th century in a variety of forms from letters to magazine and newspaper articles.

Why should I study this subject? What skills will I gain?

English is vital in all careers. As a qualification it is very well respected by universities and employers alike. It shows insight, empathy and competence with language. A GCSE grade 5 in English is highly advantageous for almost any career, but particularly vital for those wishing to pursue careers in journalism, publishing, screenwriting, editing, and teaching.

How will I be assessed?

1.Exam - Paper 1:Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing - 50%
(1 hour 45 minutes written paper)

Section A: Reading - one literature fiction text
Section B: Writing - descriptive or narrative writing

2.Exam - Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives - 50%
(1 hour 45 minutes written paper)

Section A: Reading - one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text
Section B: Writing - writing to present a viewpoint

Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language

Is there anything else I need to know?
To support your learning, you need to read widely to expand your vocabulary. You need to read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts.

For any further details please contact your English teacher, or Mrs Wrighton, Director of English. vicky.wrighton@swale.at