Year 8 Course Selection Information

2015The Detail

New measure of “success”• Performance over 8 GCSEs – graded 1-9Must include EnglishMathsScienceGeography or History or LanguageRE, PE and IT to also be taught as part of the national curriculum ( RE and IT to GCSE)Separate levels and an average level will be given

The Pathways

• At Brixham College we offer 2 pathways for students to allow some flexibility within these 8 GCSEs that will be measured

Pathway 1 Students follow a Core curriculum of:• English (2GCSES) 9 hours a fortnight• Maths (1GCSE) 9 hours a fortnight• Science (2GCSES) 10 hours a fortnight• RE (1GCSE) 2 hours a fortnight• ICT (1GCSE) 2 hours a fortnight• Core PE (non GCSE) 3 hours a fortnight Plus a choice of :• 3 options ( 1 from each block ) 15 hours a fortnight Total 50 hours a fortnight = 10 GCSES ( 8/10 best GCSES to count to achievement measure )

Pathway 2 Students follow a Core curriculum of:

• English (2GCSES) 9 hours a fortnight• Maths (1GCSE) 9 hours a fortnight• Science (2GCSES) 9 hours a fortnight• RE (1GCSE) 2 hours a fortnight• ICT (1GCSE) 2 hours a fortnight• Core PE (non GCSE) 3 hours a fortnight

Plus a choice of : • Animal Care level 1 NVQ • Public Services BTEC level 1 • Construction level 1 NVQ• Motor Engineering level 1 NVQ• Hair and Beauty level 1 NVQ ( either at South Devon College or E Hair )

10 hours a fortnight

( these courses will begin in Year 10 )

And • 1 option from block 1 Total 9 GCSES

The Blocks Block1 • GEOGRAPHY• HISTORY• Either FRENCH or SPANISH ( whichever studied) Block 2 ( only pathway 1 )• ARTS foundation ( specialising in either Graphics, Art, Photography or Textiles in Y 10 )*• SPORT• BUSINESS STUDIES • MUSIC • SOCIOLOGY• GEOGRAPHY*

Block 3( only pathway 1 )• ARTS foundation ( specialising in either Graphics, Art, Photography or Textiles in Y 10 )*• BUSINESS STUDIES • SPORT• CATERING • HISTORY*

Notes

The Arts Students who wish to follow any one of the Arts should pick Art in either of the option blocks. There is no need to pick it twice!In Year 9 students will follow an Arts Foundation course which will develop their skills across all 4 of the arts enabling them to specialise in Year 10 in a specific arts pathway – graphics, photography, textiles or art itself. If students wish to pursue 2 of the Arts then this discussion can take place in the summer term of Year 9 with individual students and their parents.

The Sciences We will be teaching the content as separate sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our aim is for at least the top three sets to cover all of the content for three separate sciences by January 2017 to allow revision of the content and exam practice from January till the exams. The majority of students willl take the Combined Double Science GCSE. Decisions about entries will be made in Year 11.

The Pathway 2 route Students who wish to follow pathway 2 and study a vocationally related subject in Years 10 and 11 will follow a work preparation programme in Year 9 leading to a suite of work based qualifications eg. BTECs , First Aid , Wider Skills , Personal Development programme If students choose pathway 2 there are no wider options choices

The World of Work !

Preparing Students for life beyond Brixham College. Success in Learning - Success in Life Flexible Learning Days - Year 9, 10 and 11 Secure Subject Knowledge of Staff – knowledge of A’ level Work Experience in year 10 6th form taster days in the summer term of Y 11 Mock Interviews Year 11 Guidance Days Outside guests and partnerships TDA STEM Careers South West Charity Work Enrichment Opportunities

Remember

• Your option choices NOT about Career choices • Choose subjects you will do best in and enjoy

• IMPORTANT DATE 30th April - OPTIONS ROADSHOW - MAIN HALL 4 – 6.00PM