Year 10 - 11 COURSES 2015-2017
INTRODUCTION TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
This booklet is a guide to the school's curriculum for Year 10 and 11 students (2015-2017). I hope you find it helpful. Firstly, it will give you a broad outline of the subjects you will continue to study and secondly, it will ensure that the choices made are the best for each student. Please keep this booklet in a safe place at home as you may find some sections useful to refer to during Year 10 and 11.
The following staff are available to give guidance on your Options and career choices.
Mrs L Phippen Deputy Headteacher
Mrs K Robson Assistant Headteacher
Ms S Squibb Assistant Headteacher
Your Subject Teachers
Your Form Tutor
Lorraine Phippen
Deputy Headteacher
February 2015
CONTENTS
The Year 9 Options Process / 3Introduction / 4-6
English and English Literature / 7
Mathematics / 8
Physical Education / 9
Religious Education / 10
Science / 11
Art and Design / 12
Business Studies / 13
Design and Technology / 14-15
Drama / 16
Geography / 17
Health and Social Care / 18
History / 19
Computing GCSE / 20
Information Communication Technology / 21
Media Studies / 22
Modern Foreign Languages / 23
Music / 24
Physical Education / 25
ASDAN COPE and Work Skills / 26
Notes / 27
THE YEAR 9 OPTIONS PROCESS
The Year 9 options process will help students and their families make informed decisions about the subjects they wish to take in the future. Choosing which subjects to study in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) is probably the most important decision students have yet had to make. The subjects chosen could influence the range of courses the student can take later in life and could possibly affect future careers. Having said that, the core of subjects offered at Lady Lumley’s School ensures that every student has a broad and balanced education through to the end of Year 11. The options process allows students (and their parents/carers) to choose additional subjects that complement the core offer and allows the student to develop his or her knowledge and skills in particular areas.
There are two particular areas that we want to give students and their parent/carers more information about at this stage: vocational subjects and the English Baccalaureate.
Vocational Subjects
At Lady Lumley’s we see vocational subjects as an important part of our offer to Year 10 and Year 11 students. These courses offer a more practically based style of education which really suits some of our students. These courses also have to be economically viable so we may not be able to meet all of the students’ requests should numbers for a particular course be too small (or too large). Any students affected will be consulted and given individual advice and guidance about alternative choices.
English Baccalaureate
The English Baccalaureate is a measure brought in by the Coalition Government in 2011. The Government possibly intends that the English Baccalaureate will develop into an over-arching certificate awarded to students who have achieved GCSE passes at A* to C (or equivalent) in: English, mathematics, dual science, history or geography, and a modern or ancient language. It could affect students in Year 9 if it develops in importance for students considering entering university. It may be that some universities will want students to have the English Baccalaureate when they apply for places in the future. This may influence the choices made during the options process at Year 9 as it appears that some subjects are “more important” than others. We genuinely believe that every subject is equally important and that students should follow courses that are most appropriate to their needs and desires. We believe good teaching and learning leads to the best possible results for the students and this is helped when students have a choice and can fully engage with their subjects. We want the students to choose subjects that allow them the widest possible range of future careers and choose subjects where they have the best possible chance of achieving well.
More changes have been brought in by the Government and these will have impact on the Options Process in 2015. This year, students will be asked to choose one subject from a prescribed list of subjects and then have free choice for their other 3 options.
Any student or parent/carer who would like further, specific advice can talk to a member of the senior staff on the Options Information Evening or contact the school at any time.
Richard Bramley
Headteacher
INTRODUCTION
WHAT ARE OPTIONS?
For you, this year is a milestone. Until now you have taken the same subjects from year to year. Next year will be different. You will continue with some subjects but will drop others. The point is that for the first time the choice is yours and this will affect you in the following ways:
· you will need to choose the subjects and pathway that suit you;
· you will start preparing for public examinations;
· the subjects you choose (and those you leave out) may affect your future after you are sixteen.
Choosing subjects at this stage is often difficult and needs a lot of thought. You should:
· know about yourself – your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses;
· know how good you are in your present subjects;
· know what each course involves;
· discuss your ideas with others, including your parents;
· go to the careers room and use the information available there to help you.
WHICH SUBJECTS SHOULD I CHOOSE?
There are several reasons why you may want to continue studying a particular subject:
· you may be interested in it and therefore enjoy it;
· you may be good at it;
· you may need it for your career or course of training;
· you may want to keep a balance in your subjects to keep a wide choice available at sixteen.
It may be necessary to choose between a subject you like and one which is needed for a particular career. In a case like this the subject NEEDED must take priority but check very carefully that it is crucial and no alternatives are possible.
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS AND OPTIONAL SUBJECTS.
The Key Stage 4 curriculum is made up of two elements; compulsory subjects and optional subjects. You will all continue to do the following: English, Maths, Science, R.E. and P.E. PSHCCE - (personal, social, health, citizenship, careers and economic education) is also an important element of every student’s education and helps to develop wider life and work skills. This is delivered in a cross curricular way with all subjects contributing, for example, in RE, the Religion and Society Unit deals with such issues as the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Issues such as bullying and cyber-bullying are explored during assemblies and in tutor time. In addition students complete a one week work experience in July and, throughout the year, have access to quality careers advice.
WHAT GRADES WILL BE AWARDED?
We are, again, in a time of change. For most GCSE courses students will be awarded grades from A* to G (with a U grade for unclassified).
GCSE grades / A* / A / B / C / D / E / F / G / UFor mathematics and English GCSEs, students will be awarded grades from 9 to 1 (with a U grade for unclassified).
GCSE grades / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1Some subjects follow different tiers of work and enter for different examinations, which means the grades available are limited to a smaller range. Check which subjects these are and what final range of grades will be available to you very carefully.
Some of the courses offered are not GCSEs. Level 1 courses are equivalent to one GCSE grade D-G. Level 2 courses are equivalent to one GCSE grade A*-C. For more information please see the details of each individual course.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY COURSEWORK/CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS?
In subjects with coursework, the final GCSE result is not dependent solely upon one examination. The coursework/controlled assessments contribute varying percentages of the final mark dependent on the subject.
Coursework and controlled assessments allow students to be assessed throughout the period of the course and not only by the final examination result. Some advantages of this are that:
· it helps students whose work is usually good but who find examinations difficult
· it includes marks for care and skill in doing experiments or handling equipment
· it gives value to the week-by-week work of students
It is important that students and parents understand that this type of continuous assessment demands high standards of work over a long period. Students will need to plan well ahead in order to avoid work “piling up”. Regular attendance is also very important.
WHAT ABOUT EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES?
Equal opportunities are important. The curriculum in its widest meaning will be organised, structured and resourced in such a manner that no student will be denied opportunities or receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, level of ability or social circumstances.
Everybody has the same choices and will be treated equally, although the guidance you might receive may point you in one direction rather than another.
CAREERS ADVICE
Impartial information, advice and guidance is available in school from Anna Lowe. Sessions will be offered to young people to assist them with their Year 9 option choices. If your son/daughter requires more in depth one to one guidance they can request an interview via their form tutor. If parents/carers wish to attend the interview this can be arranged by contacting school.
IMPORTANT POINTS
· don’t choose a subject because your friends have. Their aptitude and interests may be different from yours
· don’t let like (or dislike!) of a teacher influence your choice. You do not know which teachers you will get in Years 10 and 11when you make your choices
· don't panic! There are lots of people who are willing and able to help you.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
We are holding an Information Evening on Wednesday 25th February 2015 about the courses available. We strongly recommend that you attend to find out more information.
PARTNERSHIP COURSES
We are aiming to offer courses in partnership with other educational providers: Currently we offer Engineering Technology (Motor Vehicle) and Hair Beauty. More details about both these courses will be available at the information evening.
WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?
Don't be afraid to ask for help and advice from any of your teachers. If you are unsure which subjects to take, and are already starting to think about the Sixth Form, please talk to Mrs Phippen or Mrs Robson as some subjects can be picked up at AS/A2 level without following the subject at GCSE level.
We hope you find the rest of this booklet helpful. A young person’s learning between 14 and 19 is of great importance in preparing them for life and work. It is crucial that we work together to help them have the best possible life chances.
We will make every effort to place students in their chosen subjects but please be aware that this is not always possible. The final range of subjects will depend on staffing and the number of students interested in each course.
Lorraine Phippen
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
ENGLISH AND ENGLISH LITERATURE
Why study English and what skills will it develop?
An ability to communicate well with other people is fundamental to your success both in your private life and at work. In fact employers regard a qualification in English as a basic requirement of any prospective employee. Our aim is to improve your confidence and your skills in speaking and listening, reading, and writing.
Course Content
Students study an integrated GCSE English Language and a Literature course for which they are awarded two GCSEs. The course involves the study a wide range of material both fiction and non-fiction literary and journalistic texts. Literary texts include plays (by Shakespeare and contemporary playwrights), poetry, and prose (novels and short stories). The non-fiction texts will include advertising campaigns, newspaper reporting, radio and television programmes, and films. The course provides considerable opportunities for reading, engaging with live or recorded performances, producing original creative responses, and developing high-level reading and writing skills.
Coursework
From 2017 English and Literature GCSEs will be assessed by examination only; there will no longer be either a coursework or a controlled-assessment element.
Examinations
For examinations from 2017, grading will be by numbers 9-1 rather than by the current letters A*-G, with 9 being the highest grade. The value of the new grading has yet to be confirmed; but it would appear that the lower end of Grade 4 will equate to what is currently a low Grade C. There will no longer be the possibility of English and Literature to be taken as modular courses, instead a single full exams will be taken at the end of two years, as is currently the case at Lady Lumley’s. Higher and Foundation levels of entry will no longer apply and students will be entered for a single examination.
Progression Route
At Key Stage 5 we offer Advanced Level courses in English Literature and English Language. Both A levels are independent of each other and students may opt to study both.