Monk’s Walk
School
Year 9
Options Evening
January 2014
Options Timeline
November – January
Options Assemblies for students
Friday
22nd November Progress Reports issued
Thursday
28th November Academic Review Day
Thursday
5th December Subject Teacher Consultation
Tuesday
7th January
Options Brochure and Student
Subject Guidance Form issued
Thursday
9th January
Options Explanation Evening
Monday
20th January
Guidance Interviews begin
Friday
14th February
Options Application Forms deadline
Your Child’s Education Pathway
Age 14 - Summer 2014
Complete Key Stage 3
Age 16 - Summer 2016
Complete Key Stage 4 qualifications - GCSEs and BTECs
Age 18 - Summer 2018
Complete Post-16 qualifications - ‘A’ Levels, BTECs,
NVQs, GCSEs. Taken at school or college, or through
apprenticeships or employment with training.
Employment
University
Further Education
Core Subjects
Provides a minimum of 5 qualifications
• GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature
Or
GCSE English
• GCSE Maths
• GCSE Science (worth a minimum of 2 GCSEs)
• GCSE RE – Philosophy and Ethics
• PSHCE
• Physical Education
Year 10
Subject Hours Every Two Weeks
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English
Maths
Science
RE
PE
Options
8 Hours
7 Hours
9 Hours
4 Hours
4 Hours
18 Hours
-
1 or 2 GCSEs
1 GCSE
2 or 3 GSCEs
1 GCSE
-
4 GCSEs or
BTECS
Options Choices: Issues to Consider
1. Types of Courses
2. Levels of Courses
3. Key Stage 4 Learning Pathways
Types of Option Courses
All Option Courses are academic courses that allow progression
into the 6th Form.
There are two types of qualification that can be studied at school:
BTEC
•
•
•
•
•
Single award equivalent to 1 GCSE.
Grades A*-C.
80% coursework.
20% external exams.
Develops an understanding of the skills and jobs in that subject area.
GCSE
•
•
•
•
Single award.
Grades A*-G.
May have coursework.
Will have exams or controlled assessments.
Practical Learning Opportunity
PLO Courses - taught at Oaklands College
• Animal Care
• Hair and Beauty
• Catering
• Health and Social Care with Childcare
• Construction Skills
• Motor Vehicle Care & Maintenance
COURSE LEVELS
All courses lead to either:
•Level 2 Qualification
=
GCSE Grade A* to C
•Level 1 Qualification
=
GCSE Grade D to G
COURSE LEVELS
Examples:
• BTEC Art & Design
=
Level 2
• GCSE History
=
Level 1 or 2
• Animal Care
=
Level 1
COURSE LEVELS - PROGRESSION
Level 2 Qualifications can lead to Level 3 Qualifications
• ‘A’ Levels; Level 3 BTECS; Level 3 NVQs.
• To study 4 ‘A’ Levels a student needs to average ‘B’ Grades
in all their GCSE subjects and have at least a ‘C’ grade in
English and Maths.
• To study 3 ‘A’ Levels a student needs to average ‘C’ Grades
in all their GCSE subjects and have at least a ‘C’ grade in
English or Maths.
• Level 2 qualifications, as well as Level 1 qualifications, can
also lead to Level 2 courses at college.
Key Stage 4 Pathways
All students will follow one of two
Learning Pathways:
• Double Science Pathway
• Triple Science Pathway
Option Groups
Students have one choice of subject from each Group
GROUP ONE
SUBJECTS
GCSE Computing
GCSE French
GROUP TWO
SUBJECTS
GROUP THREE
SUBJECTS
GROUP FOUR
SUBJECTS
GCSE Art
GCSE Art
GCSE Art
GCSE Drama
GCSE DT: Food
BTEC Award in Art &
Design
GCSE DT: Food
GCSE DT: Graphics
GCSE Drama
GCSE Geography
GCSE DT: Graphics
GCSE DT: Resistant
Materials
GCSE French
GCSE DT: Resistant
Materials
GCSE French
GCSE Geography
GCSE DT: Textiles
GCSE Geography
GCSE German
GCSE Geography
GCSE History
GCSE History
GCSE History
BTEC Award in ICT
BTEC Award in ICT
BTEC Award in ICT
GCSE Music
BTEC Award in Music
GCSE Music
GCSE PE
GCSE Spanish
GCSE RE World Religions
BTEC Award in Sport
GCSE Spanish
BTEC Award in Travel
and Tourism
GCSE German
GCSE History
GCSE Spanish
BTEC Award in Sport
Practical Learning Opportunity
PLO Courses - taught at Oaklands College
• Animal Care
• Hair and Beauty
• Catering
• Health and Social Care with Childcare
• Construction Skills
• Motor Vehicle Care & Maintenance
Practical Learning Opportunity
(PLO) Course
Separate Application Form
(from Mr Ardin– Head of Year)
Students who wish to be considered for a
PLO course:
must STILL choose a GROUP 2 Subject
UNSUITABLE COMBINATIONS
BTEC in Art & Design
with GCSE Art & Design
BTEC Music
with GCSE Music
BTEC in Travel & Tourism
with GCSE Geography
BTEC in Sport
with GCSE Physical Education
BTEC in ICT
with GCSE Computing
What is the English Baccalaureate?

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a certificate for students who
pass the following qualifications at grades A* -C:
1. GCSE English
2. GCSE Maths
3. A minimum of 2 GCSE Sciences
4. A GCSE Modern Language (French, Spanish or German)
5. A GCSE Humanities (Geography or History).

No extra work is needed for the EBacc.
Student Options Reference
Option Choices Confirmed
• Option Choices will be confirmed in writing in early
June.
• Students will be notified of any changes that need to be
made at the earliest possible opportunity.
• Once option choices are confirmed they are fixed in
place for the start of the 2014 academic year.
Options Timeline
November – January
Options Assemblies for students
Friday
22nd November Progress Reports issued
Thursday
28th November Academic Review Day
Thursday
5th December Subject Teacher Consultation
Tuesday
7th January
Options Brochure and Student
Subject Guidance Form issued
Thursday
9th January
Options Explanation Evening
Monday
20th January
Guidance Interviews begin
Friday
14th February
Options Application Forms deadline