HINCKLEY ACADEMY
AND
JOHN CLEVELAND SIXTH FORM
CENTRE
Key Stage 4 Option Choices
Information Evening
February 2017
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Objectives
• To outline the curriculum at Hinckley
Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form
Centre
• To explain the options process
• To answer your questions about the Key
Stage 4 Choices and the Curriculum
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
What has happened so far…
• Y8 ‘aspirations and ambitions’ interviews with
local employers
• Series of Careers lessons in Y8 and Y9
• Financial Management Workshop delivered by
WizeUp
• Curriculum Guides issued
• Assemblies about subjects not studied at KS3
• ‘Market Stalls’ for all the subjects on offer
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Making Progress…
• The curriculum is designed so that
students have access to a broad and
balanced curriculum
• This will allow for further choices and
progression at the end of Y11
• Students’ progress will be measured
across EIGHT subjects (Progress 8)
including English and Maths
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
…Making Progress
• Students will be awarded number grades (not
letters) for their GCSE grades
• The grades will range from 9 – 1
• 1 will be equivalent to grade G
• 4 will be equivalent to grade low C
• 7, 8, will be equivalent to grade A/A*
• 9 will be equivalent to the top end of A*
• The DFE sets a benchmark of the grades your child
should achieve based on KS2 SATs
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
The Curriculum
All students must study the CORE
Curriculum.
Students can choose which other subjects
they wish to study.
However, ONE of these subjects MUST be
an EBAC subject – Geography; History;
French; Spanish; Triple Science or
Computer Science – linked to Progress 8
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Core Curriculum…
The core curriculum is made up of:
• English Language and English Literature
• Mathematics
• Double Science*
• One EBAC Subject
• PSE – Personal Social Education (this is not examined)
• Core PE (this is not examined)
• Statutory requirements for ICT, RE and work related learning will
also be covered
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
…Core Curriculum
Double Science
Studied as part of the core curriculum and students
achieve TWO GCSE grades.
Study elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Both grades will be the same e.g. 5,5;
3,3;
8,8
Students can study A Level Biology, Chemistry and
Physics if grades 6 or above are achieved in Double
Science as well as in Maths.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Double Science Vs Triple Science
Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Students study all the elements of Double Science during
Double Science lesson time, but have additional lessons
through an option choice and achieve THREE
DIFFERENT GCSE grades, at the end of Year 11.
Another route to Triple Science
Students study Double Science and choose Computer
Science as their third Science, through an option choice.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
PE and PSE
These are compulsory non-examined
subjects and cannot be disapplied at KS4,
unless there are very special circumstances
for an individual student.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Options Choices
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Students will study an additional four GCSEs or
equivalent to add to the five that they follow as
part of the core curriculum.
GCSE: Assessed by examinations and
controlled assessments (in some subjects). All
examinations will be taken at the end of the
course.
Controlled Assessments: These are ‘tasks’ set
by the exam board and marked by teachers.
They assess skills such as research,
processing, analysing and evaluating
information and report writing.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Vocational Qualifications…
BTEC / Technical Awards / Cambridge Nationals:
These are qualifications in which students learning is
assessed via coursework (maximum of 80%) and
external assessment (minimum of 20%) set by the exam
boards. They will be graded as follows:
• Level 1 = Pass
• Level 2 = Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* (star)
Students can only study a maximum of TWO vocational
qualifications.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
…Vocational Qualifications
The Rules…
The rules changed from September 2014 for vocational
qualifications.
All students can only submit each piece of work ONCE.
If ONE deadline is missed for submitting a piece of
work, students will FAIL the course.
Good attendance is crucial.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Most students will study 4 GCSE Options
or equivalent, but there may be
exceptions:
Personalised Learning Programmes
If your child is identified as a student who
would benefit following a personalised
learning programme such as Foundation
Learning, you will be contacted by
Hinckley Academy staff.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Modern Foreign Language - French or Spanish
Students should opt for the language they have been
studying in Y9 as this will mean they have a good foundation
in that language.
History
High levels of literacy are needed to be able to confidently
tackle the set essays both for the Controlled Assessment and
for the Exam.
Child Development
If your child has a criminal record of any kind with either the
police or the courts they are not allowed to study Child
Development.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Although we support and encourage
students to choose their subjects, it is
important that students follow the
advice of parents and carers, the
teaching staff, and other adults who
may be involved in this process.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
In most cases, we advise students to
choose a broad and balanced
curriculum that may include:
a creative or practical subject
a subject where students develop their
research, recording and presentation skills
This still allows for a more specialised
fourth choice.
Students should opt for subjects that
they enjoy and are good at
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
When it comes to making the actual
choices for options, we are asking
students to choose six subjects that
they would like to study.
There are a number of good reasons for
this…
• Some subjects may not run if there is not
enough student demand for them
• There may be timetabling restrictions.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Students must opt for ONE of the following
EBAC Subjects
COMPULSORY GROUP
Tick ONE subject from this group (you have to study this subject).
Computer Science
French
Geography
History
Science – Triple
Spanish
Your child will get this subject on their
timetable.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Students have a further five choices from the
Optional Group subjects.
No more than TWO vocational subjects can be
chosen from this list.
Students must rank them in order of
preference with 1 being their most preferred
subject.
Choices 4 and 5 will be their reserve subjects.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Although we will do our best, we
cannot guarantee that students will
get all of their first ‘three’ choices
from the Optional Group subjects.
This is why we ask students to make
another two choices. We may need to
look at what they have opted for
Choice 4 and Choice 5.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
OPTIONAL GROUP



List FIVE subjects in order of preference 1-5, with no more than two from Vocational.
Your option choices 4 and 5 will be your reserve subjects.
Do not repeat any subject ticked above.
GCSE
VOCATIONAL
Art (Fine Art)
Art (Photography)
Child Development
Design & Technology –
Fashion & Textiles
Business Studies
Design & Technology –
Visual Communication (Graphics)
Computer Science
Dance
Drama
Food Preparation and Nutrition
Ethics, Philosophy and Morality
French
Geography
History
Music
Physical Education
Science – Triple
Spanish
Engineering
Health and Social Care
ICT
Performing Arts
Public Services
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Page 5 of Curriculum Guide…
There are certain combinations that students
CANNOT do:
• Art (Fine Art) GCSE and Art (Photography) GCSE
• Computer Science GCSE and Triple Science
GCSE
• Computer Science GCSE and ICT Vocational
• Engineering, Design and Technology Visual
Communication and Design and Technology
Fashion and Textiles
• Dance GCSE and Performing Arts BTEC
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
English Baccalaureate (EBAC)…
The Government refers to an English Baccalaureate. This
is not currently a certificated qualification, however, the
DFE acknowledges students who receive a grade 5 or
above in ALL the subjects below, and publishes the
results in performance tables.
– English
– Maths
– Two Sciences (can include Double Science or Two out
of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Computer Science)
– Modern Foreign Language
– Geography or History
(page 6)
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
…English Baccalaureate (EBAC)
• Students do not have to study the combination of
the EBAC option subjects (MFL, Geography,
History) if they do not wish to.
• However, if your child is ‘More Able’ they may
want to consider the EBAC combination, or if you
would like your child to follow a more traditional
route.
• Students CAN still opt to study a Modern Foreign
Language or Geography or History even if they
are not likely to achieve grade 5 or above.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Final Form
The final options form will be issued after
Wednesday 22nd February (Y9 options
assembly).
Please help your child complete the form and
sign it.
Deadline for submission of the form to
your child’s Tutor is Friday 17th March
2017
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
What Next?
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
 Get your child to think about their long term
plans e.g. careers, further/higher education
(pages 6-7 of Curriculum Guide for Careers
websites and guidance). We also have a
Careers Advisor on site.
 Get advice from teachers, other adults.
 Do some research on subjects, especially
new ones that are not included in the Year
9 curriculum.
 Speak to current or ex-students.
 Support your child to make the right option
choices.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
The Key Stage 4 Options Choices is a long
process, not only for you – but for us too.
You and your child should know what
subjects they are studying in the last half
term of Year 9.
Please do not hesitate to contact HAJC6
staff if you need further information, advice
and guidance.
‘[email protected]’
[email protected]
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Planning for the future
Some university and career choices will
require that students have studied particular
subjects at Level 3 (A-level and/or BTEC).
Some 6th form choices will require that
students have achieved well in specific
subjects at GCSE
Seek advice if you know where you are
aiming for.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Examples (but there are many more)
GCSE Business can lead to A-level
Business, A-level Economics, BTEC
Business
Level 2 Public Services may lead to a
career in the armed forces or police but is
not essential.
Double or Triple Science can lead to A-level
Chemistry and Biology for Medicine.
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y
Useful sources of information include:
UCAS – the university applications site
University websites
Apprenticeship website
Informed Choices – advice from Russell Group
universities
[email protected],sch.uk
Tr u s t ~ C o - o p e r a t i o n ~ F a i r n e s s ~ H o n e s t y ~ R e s p e c t ~ E q u a l i t y