Key Stage 4 at Woldgate College

www.woldgate.net

Changes to Key Stage 4 – ‘Increased rigour’

All GCSE exams are now be ‘terminal’ i.e. tested at the end of the course.

That means that there will be no module exams during Years 10 & 11, no retakes or autumn 2014 retakes for anything other than Maths & English and no possibility of entering controlled conditions coursework twice to improve marks.

Non-GCSE courses can only make up 20% of a students’ learning.

‘SPAG’ marks have increased on all subjects’ exam papers – spelling, punctuation & grammar.

There has been a shift towards extended writing (longer answers!) on most subjects’ exam papers. Speaking & Listening marks have been taken out of English GCSE.

The School Performance Tables will, for the students taking GCSEs in 2016 (that’s 9MSM!), dictate the range of subjects you are able to choose from. This is to ensure that all students in England follow a ‘broadly academic curriculum’.

Decisions need to be taken:Carefully.

With all the information available to you.

With a long term plan in mind.

With the advice of people who know and care about you.

By the person who is going to be most effected by them.

September 2014

September 2016

September 2018

September 2024

Core Subjects: English, Literature, Maths, Single Science – all leading to

GCSEs. RE – leading to GCSE RE at the end of Year 11. PE - for enjoyment & health. Health, Sex & Relationships Education – to prepare for

adulthood. Citizenship – to develop you as a rounded and skilled person,

ready to take on the rights and responsibilities of being a Citizen .EBac List – at least 2

from:Additional Science, Triple Science, History, Geography, French, Spanish, Computer Science.

Wider Subjects List – up to 2 subjects from:Art & Design, Business Communications, D&T Food, D&T Textiles, D&T Product Design, Drama, Health & Social Care, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, ICT (Nat Cert)There is time

for you to take 4 Extension

courses in total.

Timeline: February 6th: Information evening for pupils and their families. Documents distributed in Citizenship.March 6th: Year 9 Reports Issued.Feb/March: Year 9 Assemblies & Citizenship time to focus on information gathering & decision-making. Subject information available in lessons & Assemblies.March 13th: Year 9 Student, Parent and Tutor meetings.March 17th : Deadline for application forms to be with your Tutor. Please be aware that there may be little, if any, opportunity to change your mind after this point!Easter – Half Term: Individual Interviews with Ms Holland, Mr Greenfield, Mr Smith or Mrs Burch.June: Application process over, decisions made, timetables sorted!July: Analysis of KS3 Teacher Assessments – further interviews if needed.September: Key Stage 4 starts in all subjects. 

Take your time. Be informed. Think long term Get a reference from your family. Get a reference from your tutor. Fill in your letter of application

carefully – show us you are thinking carefully about your choices.

Aim high in all your subject areas – remember that NC Levels are reported to your parents, the DfE and on to your school records at the end of Year 9

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. —William Butler Yeats, 1899