That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for
mankind.
—Neil Armstrong, 1969
Changes to Key Stage 4
 All GCSE exams are now ‘terminal’ i.e. tested at the end of the
course.
 That means that there will be no module exams during Years 10 &
11, no chance to retake any module exams and no possibility of
entering controlled conditions coursework twice to improve marks.
 Vocational (i.e. non-GCSE courses) can only make up 20% of a
students’ learning.
 Short Course GCSE does not exist any more.
 The School Performance tables have information about more
subjects and more combinations of subjects e.g. ‘The Basics’ –
English & Maths combined; English Baccalaureate; the
performance of ‘groups’ of students etc.
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance
‘Changes…..turn and face the strain’ David Bowie 1971
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
affected by them.
September 2013
September 2015
September 2017
September 2023
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 .
Extension subjects:
 There is space on the timetable for 4 more GCSEs.
 Able Scientists (NC L7) can choose to take Triple Science in the same time
slot that Additional Science is in.
 A life skills course takes up 2 GCSE slots for anyone who is invited by the
Learning Support Team to try it.
 GCSE Statistics will be taken by all able Mathematicians at some point
during KS4 – we’ll publish details of that before the end of the year.
 Students who have completed Fast Track MFL in Year 9 may start a second
MFL course in Year 10. (Or may repeat their first MFL or not take a MFL in
KS4).
 GCSE Latin is available to those on the G&T Register – taken at the end of
Year 10. Details will be sent to eligible students towards the end of the
Summer Term.
Offsite Vocational Courses:
 Level 2 Courses at York College or Bishop Burton College - students
now working at NC Levels 4/5
 Level 1 Courses– students now working at levels NC 3/4
 We can’t guarantee these courses until much later in the summer so
pick 4 ‘in-Woldgate’ courses and tell us on your application form if
you are interested in an off site course.
 Remember -you can now only take one non-GCSE course and that
includes the courses we teach here at Woldgate.
The English Baccalaureate:
• A specific combination of 5 GCSEs all at C+ Grades
• English, Maths, Core Science + Additional Science or Triple Sciences;
History or Geography; French or Spanish or Latin.
• It’s still a choice – no one has to take this combination and no one
will be stopped from taking this combination.
• No one has to take the full combination – you can ‘pick and mix’.
• Anyone can choose something from this list of GCSEs (other than the
Latin & Triple Science).
I would like to apply for the Extension Courses listed over the page.
The main reason I have chosen these Extension Courses is
Another reason is
My future plans include
I have looked carefully at all the information I have been given and I believe I have made a wise choice because
This is your slot to say
why you support the
decision
Box D
Parent/Guardian Reference.
Please encourage your
youngster to take this
seriously but please
don’t do it for them!
Timeline:
February 7th:
Information evening for pupils and their families. Documents
distributed in Citizenship.
March 7th:
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 14th:
Year 9 Student, Parent and Tutor meetings.
March 18th:
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, Mrs
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
Please take some time to
complete the Parent View Survey
for Ofsted:
http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/