Y9 Parents Consultation Evening

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Y9 Parents Consultation Evening

• Wednesday 25th February 2009
• Tuesday 3rd March 2009

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Aims of the evening
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1. Consultation

• Consultation with staff about the progress that
  is being made by students to include
• Areas of particular strength
• Areas in need of improvement

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Consultation with whom

• Subject teachers
• Mr Tapper, Head of Year 9
• Mrs Russell, Head of Student Guidance
• Mr Price, Deputy Head (Academic)

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2. GCSE choices

• Students have already been through the process
  of making academic choices, this time last year
  in choosing their Y8 options.
• However this is a more crucial decision and they
  have to drop more subjects.

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  The GCSE Option process

• 2009 11

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The story so far.....

• Students made provisional GCSE choices in early
  November.
• Parents have now received a mail merged letter
  with those choices printed on it.
• Parents Consultation Evenings to allow
  discussion before final decisions are made.
• Please returned the (amended if necessary) signed
  form by
• Friday 13th March

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What then happens

• Subject staff may advise that certain
  combinations are not viable, either for a
  particular student or more generally.
• Mr Brocklehurst attempts to create a timetable
  which enables everyone to do the combinations
  that they have opted for.
• If you subsequently change your mind about the
  subjects that you want to do, I can make no
  promises that the particular combination of
  subjects that you now want to do will be
  available. We will clearly try our best but the
  key is to get the decision right now.

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Core Subjects

• All students must take-
• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• ----------------------------------
• (Non-examined) PE
• Games

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Science the first decision

• Double or Triple award ?

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The differences

• Going into Year 10 students pursue one of two
  distinct options in Science the Double Science
  option and the Triple Science Option.
•  
• Students will continue to study Biology,
  Chemistry and Physics to GCSE level taught by
  specialist members of staff. However, students
  taking the Double Science option will gain two
  GCSE qualifications, whilst those taking the
  Triple Science option will gain three GCSE
  qualifications.
• Students will select an option for different
  reasons, but basically if a student selects the
  Triple Science option they will study more
  Science. The Double Science option is perfectly
  good preparation for study at A level and allows
  students to take an additional option at GCSE.
  However, we would normally expect students
  wishing to pursue a scientific course at
  university to study the Triple Science option,
  since this is where their interest lies.

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The grid below shows the possible paths for
students at GCSE. Note the written modules are
common. Double Science students progress from
left to right. Triple Science students follow a
vertical path downwards.
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The rest of the Options

• 5 choices if following Double Award Science
• 4 choices if following Triple Award Science

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Modern Foreign Languages

• All students should take one (or more) from
•  French
• German
• Spanish
• We value MFL at BMS and despite the government
  stance making MFLs optional at GCSE we believe
  that all students should take one to GCSE. Some
  university courses have a MFL GCSE as a
  requirement.

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Humanities

• All students should take one (or more) from
• Classical Civilisation
• Geography
• History
• Religious Studies

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Other Options Subjects

• The other subjects available are
• Art
• Design Technology Graphic Products
• Design Technology Resistant Materials
• Design Technology Systems and Control
• Information Technology (ICT)
• Latin
• Drama
• Music
• Physical Education (examined)
• NB You cannot chose more than one DT option

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Then choose four or five from this list-
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How to decide

• Further details of each subject are contained in
  the GCSE booklet which can be found on the BMS
  website.
• Choose those that you enjoy the most
• Choose those that you are best at
• Choose a wide range of subjects to keep your
  options open
• Think about what A-levels or career that you want
  to go into and see if there is any advice on
  preferred subjects eg DT for Architecture
• Ask your tutor/HOY/Deputy Head(Academic).

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How not to decide

• Based on what your friends are opting for you
  may end up in a different set to them
• Your favourite teacher they probably wont teach
  you at GCSE
• Coursework-heavy subjects must be easy because
  there are less final exams false and true

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Many thanks for your time
Deadline Friday 13th March

• I am available to answer questions but have one
  set of students to see, so please come and find
  me downstairs.
• Matt Price, Deputy Head (Academic)