Torpoint Community College

Year 9 Option Information Evening

January 2016

Presented by Dr Jeremy Plumb

Deputy Headteacher

Aims of the evening

1. Provide an overview of the Year 9 Options Process

2. Introduce you to the core curriculum and curriculum choices for September 2016

3. Provide you with the opportunity to circulate and talk with subject leaders and teachers about their different subjects and courses

It is time to make some choices

• English• Mathematics• Science• Art• Catering/Food• ICT/Computing• Drama• Ethics (Religious Studies)• Spanish• Geography• History• Music• PE• Product Design• Textiles

Current changes in education

A student’s curriculum and qualifications are for life and

not just for the period of office of a secretary of state.

1. Linear exams

2. RPA (Raising the Participation Age to 18)

3. English Baccalaureate (Eng Bacc)

4. New National Curriculum – implemented in September 2014

• September 2015 - New English and Maths GCSE for Year 10• September 2016 – Majority of new GCSE for Year 9• September 2017 – All new GCSE for year 8

Lots

To achieve the English Baccalaureate (EB) students must achieve a GCSE at grade A*-C in • Core GCSE English• Core GCSE Mathematics• Core GCSE Science• Option GCSE History or Geography• Option GCSE Modern Foreign Language,

Spanish• Will be a number for you “5” in all the above!

English Baccalaureate

Certificate

New GCSEs in English and Maths (current Yr 10)

The curriculum provides all students with a rich and broad education which engages them and prepares them for their life and employmentTherefore, between 6 and 5 GCSE courses for all.

Core Curriculum

MathematicsGCSE

ScienceGCSE

PSHEICT

Private Study

Physical Education

EnglishGCSE

English Language GCSE

English Literature GCSE

Separate Science x3 GCSEs(Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

Combined Sciencex2 GCSEs

PE and Computing can

also be taken as options

Core Curriculum

English

Mathematics

SciencePhysical

EducationPSHE, ICT,

Private Study

How do you decide which options to take?

1. Enjoyment

2. Your Future

3. Family, Friends and Teachers

4. Broad and Balanced Curriculum

What courses are on offer?

Core Subjects• English Language GCSE• English Literature GCSE• Maths GCSE• Science GCSE

(Triple Science as an option)• Physical Education – no exam• ICT/Computing – no exam• PSHE – no exam

(up to 9 GCSEs in total for all students)

Option Subjects• Art GCSE• Business Studies GCSE• Computing GCSE• Food & Nutrition GCSE• Drama GCSE• Geography GCSE• History GCSE• ICT• Music GCSE• Physical Education BTEC/GCSE• Product Design GCSE (Graphics,

Resistant Materials)• Religious Studies GCSE• Spanish GCSE• Textiles GCSE

Option form

There are currently 107 students in year 9

Aim: To produce a curriculum that best fits the needs of the cohort.

Will you get all your choices?

- the number of possible option combinations is massive

The Option Process

Assembly Launch of the option process Monday 16th November 2015

Option booklet goes home to provide information about subjects Monday 7th December 2015

Complete an expression of interest in option choices. This is a survey

Friday 20th November 2015Friday 27th November 2015Monday 4th January 2016

Year 9 Options Information evening Tuesday 19th January 2016

Careers advice from Mrs Lear and sixth formers Thursday 21st January 2016 room 68 at lunchtime

Year 9 Parents Evening Tuesday 26th January 2016

Deadline for return of options form Friday 29th January 2016

Option interview From Monday 1st February to 24th March 2016

Confirmation of option choices Thursday 30th June 2016

Aims of the evening

1. Provide an overview of the Year 9 Options Process

2. Introduce you to the core curriculum and curriculum choices for September 2016

3. Provide you with the opportunity to circulate and talk with subject leaders and teachers about their different subjects and courses

“Good” Ofsted quotes about the curriculum here at Torpoint

The curriculum has been successfully developed to meet the needs of all learners, particularly in Key Stage 4…..

There are valuable opportunities for extended learning, such as days when there is a focus on particular activities and experiences….

The curriculum is appropriate for the students and includes good quality courses…….