Year 9 GCSE Information
Evening
Year 9 GCSE Information
Evening
What choices are available.
What the process is.
Why is this process so
important?
You and your child will in the next 3 months make
choices that will affect their future.
We want to work with you to help and guide them to
make the right choices not only for now but for the
choices they may want to make ahead.
Some may be unsure of what they want to do.
Some may have a very clear plan for their future.
Why is this process so
important?
Its your choice
But its our job to guide you.
Why is this process so
important?
We can offer you Key Stage 4
qualifications that could lead to
Sixth Form at Headlands School.
A College Course.
A Job or Career.
Your options
6th form at Headlands
•This will allow you an opportunity to continue in the
subjects that are your strengths at Key Stage Four.
•You will study in surroundings that you are familiar
with alongside friends and staff that know you and
how to support you.
•You will take the qualifications that will allow you to
go to university or college.
Your options
College courses
•There are a number of Colleges in the local area
that provide a choice of courses as alternatives
to A Levels and the Sixth Form Experience.
•Some of these courses may be an extension of
choices that school provides at GCSE.
Your options
Jobs and Careers
•For some students, the end of Key Stage 4 signals
the end of their full time education.
•These students move from school in to the world of
work, where there are a number of opportunities
for further training and study.
•All of these need you to have GCSEs.
What you need to do.
• Choose the ‘right’ blend of qualifications.
• Be successful in your chosen courses.
• Good attendance at School.
• Good behaviour in School.
• The right ‘Work Ethic’.
• 100% Effort at all times.
• Set your self high aspirations and expectations.
• Believe in yourself.
Changes to assessment
• Our year 9s will be the first cohort who will do
new GCSEs in English and Maths but haven't had
the new KS2 curriculum. The content is
significantly different.
• “big fat maths”, more challenging English.
• We have been preparing them for these changes
during this year.
• GCSE preparation has already started.
Changes to how your child will be
assessed
• Grading for GCSEs has changed. A* to C will no
longer be how achievement is measured.
• A new 9 grade scale will be created with 9
representing the top grade.
• Current grade C will be the new grade 4 initially.
• Grade 5 will be about half to two thirds higher
than that required for a C. (this is likely to
become the new sought after level).
Changes to how your child will be
assessed
• There will be greater stretch above grade 4 with
5 further grades available.
• Grade 7 will match grade A.
• Grade 9 will be for “exceptional performance”
• About half those who currently get grade A* will
get grade 9.
• Grade 1 will cover the same proportion of
students who currently get grade F or G.
What exams will your child have to sit.
• All students will take a GCSE in English literature
and English Language.
• All students will take GCSE maths .
• All students will take at least 2 science GCSEs.
These will be from a choice of Biology, Chemistry
and Physics or may be core and additional science.
• All students will take PE leading to either a GCSE
or a BTEC qualification.
• Ethics is compulsory in year 10.
What exams could I choose
You will have a choice of 3 other subjects.
1 of these should be either History, Geography or
a language.
You may be invited to take computer science or
the 3 separate sciences. If you do you will be
asked to discuss this with your teacher.
The information booklet will give you the choices
available.
What exams could I choose
You will have 3 GCSE blocks and you will need to
choose 1 from each block.
Some students may be recommended to take
specific courses. We are happy to discuss these
with you and your parents.
Wherever possible we will try to make sure you can
take the courses you have chosen.
Its important to put a clear 1st and 2nd choice in
case you can’t do what you first wanted.
What is the process?
• Initial discussion with class teachers tonight.
• 19th January Information booklets handed out
(also on the website).
• Year 9 parents evening 25th February.
• GCSE choice forms returned 2nd March.