Students in Y9 start to consider their future GCSE choices for Y10 in both tutor time and PSHE from September.
In December, students and their parents / carers receive access to online Guided Choices information which provides comprehensive detail on all the courses available, whether core subjects, or ones they can opt for.
If your child is invited onto PATHWAY ONE - The Applied Learning Certificate (a pathway students are invited on in order to provide extra support), then you will be contacted by Mr Coney, and invited to a separate meeting, which will take place in December. More detail about Pathway 1 will be discussed, then.
Unfortunately, the Guided Choices evening on Thursday13th January will now be cancelled. Instead, all the presentations usually given will be included in the website as videos, along with detailed explanations about each subject.
An ONLINE GOOGLE OPTION FORM will be released at the start of January, and emailed to all students.
On Thursday 20th January, there will be a VIRTUAL PARENTS’ EVENING, giving you the opportunity to find out in more detail about the progress made by your child from their teachers. You will also have received a report on student progress by this time.
The deadline for completing the Google Options Form for Guided Choices is Monday 24th January.
Pathways
We have developed the options process into three clear pathways. These pathways are part of a careers programme that engage students in considering future education and careers, based on their present attainment and future aspirations. The pathways are a guide, and students often request to move between them as part of the decision making process. They also allow students to access all subjects, but provide recommendations on which may best suit students aspirations and present attainment across the curriculum.
Pathway 1: The Applied Learning Certificate
The first pathway caters for 10% of students who benefit from extra support in English Language and Maths.
They do not study a MFL or iMedia, but receive extra intervention time for both English and Maths.
They still choose one subject from History or Geography. These Humanities options are supported by a ‘hands on’ navigation triple lesson each fortnight. This is led by a specialist Humanities teacher, who ensures that the experience also links to the GCSE.
Students also prepare for other certificates in food & hygiene, first aid, as well as an IT qualification.
Students have access to all other subjects.
Students have 2 further choices
Pathway 2: iMedia instead of a Language
Students have access to all option subjects
Students do not study a Modern Foreign Language, but take iMedia, instead. This allows students to develop key commercial IT skills, without the extra demands of a GCSE subject – so reducing the amount of revision they need to complete in Y11.
Students choose between Geography and History
Students have 2 further choices
Pathway 3: Language
Students have access to all subjects, although they are encouraged to consider taking a wider range of academic subjects such as both Humanities, or both French and Spanish, or Computer science.
Students automatically take a Modern Foreign Language
Students choose between Geography and History
Students have 2 further choices
Computer Science – based on progress in maths and KS3 computing is highly recommended
Guidance on vocational subjects
All students have access to all subjects.
For Modern Foreign Languages, all students (apart from those with specific SEND, on a skills pathway at KS3) have access to Languages at KS4. We guide students onto pathways that encourage them to take a Language, or to take an alternative subject instead, iMedia. Some students are identified for the Applied Learning Pathway - this allows them to reduce their subjects by not taking iMedia, and offers them more support in core subjects.
All students will continue to take a Humanities subject.
We have included vocational subjects that allow progression to our sixth form, and other local sixth forms / colleges. This means that we have identified study routeways that can lead to employment locally, after KS5.
For more information about options, please contact Mr Phillips, via the school.