Key Stage 4 options at Pendle Vale College
Information for students and parents
“People do not decide to become
extraordinary. They decide to accomplish
extraordinary things”.
“Learning for success”
Sir Edmund Hillary
Your curriculum in Year 10 and 11
Core Curriculum – all students
English (language and literature)
Maths
Science
Computing (ECDL) or RS
PE
2 Option Choices – all students
• History, Geography or French
• GCSE computing available to some
• A free choice of any other subject
(including GCSEs and BTECs)
Enrichment
• Some students – a further GCSE
• Some students – enrichment activities
and intervention time
Year 10 and 11 options
Subject
Qualification
Subject
Qualification
Art
GCSE
History
GCSE
Business studies
BTEC
Music technology
BTEC
Food preparation
and nutrition
GCSE
PE
GCSE
Children’s learning,
play and
development
BTEC
Product design
GCSE
Drama
GCSE
Textiles
GCSE
Graphic products
GCSE
Travel and Tourism
BTEC
Geography
GCSE
French
GCSE
GCSE computing
GCSE
DEC
GCSE eqv
•
•
•
•
All of these lead to level 2 qualifications (GCSE 9 - 5 equivalent).
GCSE is graded at 9 - 1. BTEC is graded at Distinction *, Distinction, Merit or Pass
All students will pick at least 2 subjects
You might choose a combination of BTEC and GCSE
English Baccalaureate
The Russell Group of Universities (http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/) recommend that
students who are likely to aim for as place at a top University follow the English
Baccalaureate (EB) at GCSE. At Pendle Vale College, we enable students to follow this
pathway by selecting the relevant subjects at GCSE.
A Student is deemed to have achieved the EB if they achieve the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
English at grade 5 or above
Maths at grade 5 or above
Two Sciences at grade 5 or above
One Language at grade 5 or above
One Humanities subject (History or Geography) at grade 5 or above.
If we feel you should follow EB, we will guide you
to the Yellow pathway.
The “Best 8”
• Students will, from 2016, be assessed in the
“Best 8” subjects
• These subjects are in groups as shown:
Group 1 (2 subjects) Group 2 (3 subjects) Group 3 (3 subjects)
English
Maths
Science (x2)
Any other 3
History
subjects
Geography
French
Computing (not ICT)
A limited choice? Rather a bespoke package
• All students at Pendle Vale will
have at least 8 subjects.
This is enough to focus on when
all exams will be at the end of
year 11. We limit choice to give a
better chance of the best
possible grades.
• Some students will be offered
an additional subject in
the option block. We do
this for those who we feel, based
on their performance, can cope
with the additional work load
and commitment.
• Some students will also follow
GCSE Further Maths and GCSE
Separate Science through their
core learning.
Limiting choice also means that we can allow
MORE TIME to follow a subject so there is a
GREATER CHANCE OF SUCCESS and
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERVENTION where
needed
First Aid
Work experience
Volunteering opportunities
D of E
Environmental action
Reading leadership
Climbing leadership
Cycling
Hair and Beauty therapy
Enterprise
Catering
Dance
Core subject interventionion
4 guided pathways
• You will be put on a SUGGESTED pathway based on your current progress, and
attainment.
• This decision is based on our EXPERIENCE of where you are likely to be in year 11 – for
instance, if we feel you will need intervention.
Yellow
Green
Amber
Silver
Maths (4 hours)
English (4 hours)
Science (4
hours)
Maths (4 hours)
English (4 hours)
Science (4
hours)
Maths (4 hours)
English (4 hours)
Science (4
hours)
Maths (4 hours)
English (4 hours)
Science (4
hours)
Option 1 (3 hours)
French
Option 1 (3 hours)
History
Geography
Option 1 (3 hours)
Foundation learning
ASDAN/BTEC entry 1
Option 2 (3
hours)
All GCSE and
Technical
awards
available
except
History,
Geography
and French
Option 3
History
Geography
Option 3
Free choice
Core PE
2 hours
Choice of:
GCSE ICT (2
hours) and core
carousel (1 hour)
Or
Enrichment
modules
Including core
intervention,
careers education
and study skills.
GCSE RS (2
hours) and core
carousel (1 hour)
Yellow pathway - EBAC
RS/ICT option
ICT (ECDL)
Preference
Select either
RS or ICT
Option choice 2 (free)
(both are also
availableGCSE
in opt-on
2 if
Art
you wish
to do both)
BTEC Business
Option choice 1 (guided)
French GCSE
Preference
Option choice 3 (free)
GCSE Geography
GCSE Food preparation
and Nutrition
BTEC Children’s play,
learning and development
GCSE RS (if not chosen)
GCSE RS
Put these in order GCSE
of Computer Science
preference (1 – 3)GCSE Drama
GCSE History
GCSE Graphic Products
GCSE Music
DT DEC (Design
Engineer Construct)
GCSE PE
GCSE Product Design
GCSE Textiles
BTEC Travel and Tourism
Enrichment
Preferen
ce
Green pathway – 3 options
RS/ICT option
ICT (ECDL)
GCSE RS
Preference
Select either RS or ICT
Option choice 1
Preference
(both areOption
also choice 2 (free)
(free)
available in opt-on
Geography GCSE
GCSE Art2 if
you wish to do
both)
BTEC
Business
History GCSE
GCSE Food
preparation and
Nutrition
BTEC Children’s play,
learning and
development
GCSE Drama
GCSE Graphic
Products
GCSE Music
Put theseGCSE
in order
RS of
GCSE
preference
(1Computer
– 3)
Science
DT DEC (Design
Engineer Construct)
GCSE Product Design
GCSE PE
GCSE Textiles
BTEC Travel and
Tourism
Preference
Option choice 3
(free)
GCSE Art
GCSE Graphic
Products
GCSE Drama
GCSE Product
Design
GCSE PE
Enrichment
modules
Students may opt
for enrichment in
place of an
additional GCSE
Preference
Amber pathway – 2 options + enrichment
RS/ICT option
ICT (ECDL)
GCSE RS
Preference
Option choice 1 (free) Preference Option choice 2 (free) Preference Option choice 3 (guided)
Geography GCSE
History GCSE
GCSE Art
BTEC Business
GCSE Food
preparation and
Nutrition
BTEC Children’s
play, learning and
development
GCSE Drama
GCSE Graphic
Products
GCSE Music
DT DEC (Design
Engineer Construct)
GCSE PE
GCSE Product
Design
GCSE Textiles
BTEC Travel and
Tourism
Enrichment modules (to be
confirmed) including
Compulsory




Intervention
Careers
First aid
Environmental action
Optional (to include)







Reading leadership
Climbing leadership
D of E Bronze
Outdoor modules
Hair, Beauty
Enterprise
Cooking skills/food
hygiene
Examples of KS4 programmes
Yellow
RS GCSE
French GCSE
Art GCSE Geography
Green
ICT (ECDL)
History GCSE
DEC
Art GCSE
Amber
RS GCSE
Geography
GCSE
Drama
GCSE
Enrichment
modules
• Any student can select Enrichment if they wish
• If you feel you are on the wrong pathway, please speak with us
• Students on Yellow wishing to follow History AND Geography
should indicate this on the form
• An enrichment selection evening and process will take place in
the summer term. This is flexible.
Demands of GCSE/BTECs
All the subjects offered at KS4 lead to a level 1 or 2
qualification.
GCSE
Internally assessed progress checks and an exam at the end
BTECs
Continuous Assessment throughout the year and an
examined component for all BTEC subjects.
9
2017 – a new grading system
8
Distinction *
A*
7
• In August
2017
the
results
will
be
a
mixture
of
Distinction
A
6
lettered grades (A*- G) and numbered grades
(9 – Merit
1).
B
6
• You will be graded in each subject on
5 the 9 – 1
scaleLevel
throughout
year
10
and
11
2 Pass
C
4
Level 1 pass
D
4
E
3
F
2
G
1
Expected progress – the flight path approach
Nationally, most students are expected to make 3 levels of progress from Year 6 to the end of Key Stage
4 (year 11). This diagram illustrates 3 levels of progress. For most students, this will be set as the
minimum target level at Pendle Vale College.
Level achieved at the end
of year 6 (Key Stage 2)
The “Flight Path” for good
progress – 3 levels
6
5
4
3
2
Expected grade by the end
of Key Stage 4
9 * /Distinction *
8
7/6
5
5
3
2
2
Exceeding expected progress – the flight
path approach
We set targets above expected progress where we feel this is an appropriate
level of challenge for the student.
Level achieved at the end
of year 6 (Key Stage 2)
The “Flight Path” for excellent
progress – 4 levels
6
5
4
3
2
Expected grade by the end
of Key Stage 4
9* /Distinction *
8
7
6/5
4
3
2
1
How do we track progress?
We assess work regularly and will communicate
this with you through Progress Reviews. There are
also opportunities to speak with staff at the
Parents’ Evenings and on review days.
You can check progress at anytime by looking on
the web portal “My Chid At School”.
Mrs Nicholas will also be able to help.
The importance of attendance
“90 % of success is showing up”
Woody Allen
In order to succeed at school, attendance is vitally important.
• Our target is 95%. This is because….
• A student on less than 95% attendance is missing the equivalent of half a day of
learning every 2 weeks.
• Students with less than 95% attendance, nationally, perform on average a grade
lower at GCSE than those who attend regularly.
What can a parent do to help?
•
•
•
•
Ensure your child attends school regularly.
Please do not book holidays in term time – these
can not be authorised by the school.
If an absence is unavoidable, please let us know.
If a child is absent, ensure that they complete any
missed work.
Making your choice…
Where can you get advice?
•
•
•
•
Year 10 and 11 students – can tell you about their
experience of a subject
Think about what you might want to do beyond school
Please call us if you are worried
Choose subjects you know you will succeed at and enjoy,
we want everyone to have a positive experience in Y10
and 11
Give yourself time!
• You have until 4th March to make your choice.
• This evening – this is an opportunity to talk to teachers.
Please discuss KS4 subjects!
• Ask - speak with your teachers if you are unsure.
• Mrs Nicholas, Mr Rehman and Mr Renshaw will also be
able to help
• After your choice form is returned, you will have an
interview with a member of SLT to discuss your choices.
• You’ll receive an offer letter after the Easter holiday