Whitley Bay High School

1

• Whitley Bay High School
• Year 9 Options Process
• Wednesday, 7th January 2009

2
The purpose of this presentation

• To give you a flavour of what the study of
  different subjects is like
• To offer advice to allow you to help your
  son/daughter to make good choices and start to
  think about their future
• To introduce the guidance team and their
  expertise so that you know who to contact with a
  question
• To outline the process we will undertake over the
  next few weeks

3
Key Dates
4
The Guidance Team

• Head of Year 9
• Assistant Head of Year
• Deputy Headteacher
• Assistant Headteacher
• Ic Timetable
• Assistant Headteacher
• Assistant Headteacher
• Assistant Headteacher
• Assistant Headteacher
• Work Related Learning Co-ordinator

• Justine Chapman
• Michael Humphrey
• Rachel Mays
• Ian Short
• Andy Clark
• Linda Buckle
• Tracy Willis
• Steve Wilson
• Pamela Tatters

5
With Additional help from

• Tom Bennett
• Anne Heffernan
• Marie Emmerson

• Data Manager
• Connexions
• Options Administrator

6
How important are the option choices students are
making now?

• Very Important
• We have talked to lots of past students and
  analysed their results - if we can get their
  curriculum right, with a mix of lessons they
  enjoy and understand, they will do well

7
How much do GCSE results matter?

• All of our students will achieve 5 or more GCSEs
  at A-G (if they attend and sit the exams!)
• Important to try to get 5 or more GCSEs at
  grades A - C if they want to come into the Sixth
  Form
• Do a modern apprenticeship
• Important to get 5 or more A G if they want
  to
• Go to college
• Go into work

8
Students should aim to study aBroad and
Balanced Curriculum

• Everybody has to study
• Science
• English Language and Literature
• Mathematics
• PE (non-examination)
• Citizenship ( non examination)
• Students who might be considering going on to a
  high-tariff University often choose
• French
• OR
• German

9
Possible Year 10 Option Blocks 2009-2010
10
Reserve Option

• Every student has to chose ONE reserve option in
  case an option does not run for any reason
• Make sure that you discuss your reserve choice
  carefully with your family too

11
Option Subjects

• We will now let you see some of our students at
  work in their chosen subjects.

12
Mr Clark and some of our students

• Will discuss some real issues which can arise
  when choosing your subjects.

13
The school will

• Try to meet the requirements of all students
• 355 students x 4 options a lot of permutations!
• Work in partnership with you to make the process
  as stress free as possible
• Support students

14

• What can you as parents do to help you son or
  daughter make good choices?
• Look at the
  Coursework/Exam
• Listen/discuss
• Think about how they enjoy learning as well as
  what
• Support and advice
• Try to get them to explain reasons for their
  choices

15
Are Employers just looking for good GCSE grades?

• No! Good GCSE grades are useful to help you get a
  good career
• A good record of punctuality, attendance, good
  behaviour, good uniform, co-operative and
  positive attitude are also very important
• Getting involved in sports, music,, drama, clubs
  and lots of different activities show that you
  have stickability, can be part of a team, can
  organise yourself-
• Employers look for these skills too!