Decisions, decisions AS

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Decisions, decisions A/S A2 Options
Presentation Tuesday 3rd March 2009The
following slides are available on the Kings
intranet at R\AS Options Presentation 2009-11

• YouTube - ShiftHappens

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Decisions, decisionsA/S A2 Options
Presentation February 19th 2008 PDC

• A guide to choosing your KS4 options
• Subjects
• Choices
• The future
• Help
• Advice
• Support

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Decisions, decisions

• Admissions policy
• 6 GCSE passes at A-C grade
• 3/4 B Grades Min
• A viable programme of study based on the options
  provided at Kings( KGGS )
• Your track record
• Numbers on roll
• A desire to succeed!

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Decisions, decisionsWhat subjects must I take?

• Four subjects choosing ONE from Each of the
  available blocks
• General Studies-examinable
• Games-non examinable
• Also Enrichment activities in Block E

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Decisions, decisionsProvisional Options 2008-10
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Decisions, decisionsWill I be able to take all
of my first choice options?

• We will make every effort to satisfy your
  choices, but we cannot guarantee them. The level
  of demand and timetable constraints may mean that
  your choices are not possible, but we will do out
  best to help you study the courses that are best
  for you. All options forms handed in by the
  deadline will be considered in the same way.
  Remember that the KGGS timetable may offer some
  flexibility but that their students
  understandably have first priority. We may not
  have confirmation of vacancies until the second
  week of September.

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Decisions, decisions

• Name____________________________
  Form ___________
•  
• A/S A2 Staff Consultation Sheets
•  
• Please complete each of your FOUR
  subject choices in the spaces below and then
  discuss each choice with the appropriate subject
  teacher. This member of staff must tick and sign
  off the appropriate section making any necessary
  additional comments.
•  
• A/S A2 Option Choices-
•  
• 1. Subject_______________
•  
• I support this strongly
• I support this
• I support this with reservations
• I do not support this
•  
• Staff Comment
•  
•  
•  

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Decisions, decisions Timetable for completion of
form

• Continue to discuss your options with parents
  after you have had a good look at the options
  booklet
• Discuss your suitability for individual subjects
  with your teachers and students who are
  completing the course
• Follow up any necessary research as outlined in
  the Options Booklet and confirm your plans with
  subject teachers at the progress evening on
  Wednesday 19th March
• Mr Barton, Mr Whales, Mrs Longland and Mr
  Hinchliffe will also be available to answer any
  questions.
• Mr Barton, Mr Whales or Mrs Longland must receive
  your completed option form by Friday 28th March.

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Decisions, decisions What now?

• The best way of ensuring that you are able to
  pursue a chosen career is by achieving the best
  GCSE, A/S and A2 results you are capable of. We
  expect you to-
• Enjoy positive working relationships with
  parents, peers and staff
• Meet homework and coursework deadlines, enabling
  staff to assess your progress
• Begin to use your personal time for researching
  topics more widely
• Take advantage of support lessons where offered
• Organise your time and resources effectively
• Be committed to your own progress and success
• Support the general ethos of the school

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Decisions, decisions

• Every time we make a decision we take a risk
• Every decision made brings with it potentially
  positive and negative outcomes
• Identifying options for next year is
  comparatively easy for many but potentially a
  difficult decision for some of you
• What can you do to make a sensible decision?

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Decisions, decisions

• Recognise what influences your decision-making
  i.e. peer group pressure, teachers and parents!
• Identify how you make decisions
• Understand the consequences and risks involved
  when making decisions
• Learn from your GCSE experience!

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Decisions, decisions

• Try to think about the long-term, as well as
  short-term, implications of any decision made
• Try to take personal control of any
  decision-making

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Decisions, decisions

• Ensure that you
• Gather relevant information and recognise
  possible bias in information you are given
• Recognise your own strengths and areas for
  development
• Be confident about the decisions you make-if
  they are well researched

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WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER?

• What do you like and what are you good at
• Your interests/hobbies
• Course content and assessment see Options
  Handbook
• Doing very well in a less established subject may
  prove better than doing indifferently in an
  established one
• Career options
• Not sure? Consider keeping options open by
  choosing a wide range of subjects

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Decisions, decisionswhat are you best at?

• Writing
• Working with figures and statistics
• Learning languages
• Using computers
• Doing science experiments
• Practising sporting skills
• Performing in plays
• Designing and making
• Drawing

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Decisions, decisionsUsing your spare time

• Using PC for games or internet use
• Going out with friends
• Repairing or making things
• Playing sport
• Visiting foreign places and speaking foreign
  languages
• Listening to music, painting or photography
• Designing and making things
• Reading books, magazines and newspapers

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Decisions, decisionsMatching yourself to subjects

• Computers applied course
• Creative art, design, design and technology,
  music and drama
• Languages French and German
• Practical art and design, design and
  technology, sciences
• Science - all three
• Sociable drama, group work based
• Sport and leisure PE..
• Words - English, history, RE

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Decisions, decisions

• Examinations
• Do you
• Find it difficult to work in a quiet environment?
• Leave revision to the last minute?
• Revise by reading?
• Get anxious and rush through examinations?
• Or do you do a bit of

• Coursework
• Do you
• leave things to the last minute?
• Write before you research?
• Copy chunks from books or the internet?
• Rush things?
• both?

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Decisions, decisions

• Remember your fourth subject choice may be
  restricted so focus clearly on three
• Have a reserve option in mind
• Look beyond Year 12
• For now, there are only one or two imperatives
  careers allied to medicine must study chemistry
  careers allied to engineering/architecture must
  study physics careers allied to art must develop
  a GCSE portfolio
• There are now applied options choosing an
  applied option rules nothing in and nothing out
  but will count as two A levels at many
  universities. They may restrict other choices and
  may also weigh heavily on their time

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The careers game
Remember that very few of you will have a clear
career path in mind even where you have,
caution should be exercised at this stage- keep
your options open!
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WHO CAN HELP?

• Subject teachers
• Form tutors
• Head of Year
• Parents/Friends/Contacts
• Head of WRL (Mr Thomas)
• Connexions Librarian
• Mrs Mann-Connexions Personal Adviser

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Independent Research

• Connexions library How to choose your GCSEs
• Kudos information on over 1700 jobs
• Careerscape information on over 700 careers
• Jobs 4U information on hundreds of jobs
• www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u
• Working-in series at www.connexions-direct.com
• Many more websites-try to be proactive

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Decisions, decisions
Your ambitions

• Action planning

You/parents need to talk to
You/parents need to read
Other research required
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Decisions, decisions THE END

• The following slides provide an idea or two
  about careers related to specific subjects. Have
  a browse if you have time?

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Art Design

• Art editor
• Fine artist
• Fashion/clothing design
• Illustrator
• Photographer
• Product designer

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Business Studies

• Administrative officer
• Business adviser
• Company secretary
• Accountant
• Manager
• Marketing manager
• Starting a business

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Design Technology

• Electrician
• Engineering operative
• Model maker
• Product designer

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Drama

• Actor
• Arts administrator
• Dancer
• Lighting technician
• Stage manager
• Theatre director

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Engineering

• Engineering maintenance technician
• Materials technician
• Mechanical engineer
• Production engineer

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English

• Advertising copywriter
• Editor
• Journalist
• Librarian
• Media researcher

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Geography

• Cartographer
• Environmental scientist
• Meteorologist
• Oceanographer
• Surveyor
• Town planner
• Travel agent

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History

• Archivist
• Civil service officer
• Journalist
• Librarian
• Researcher
• Solicitor

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ICT

• IT product developer
• Network manager
• Systems analyst
• Technical support person

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Modern foreign languages

• European Union official
• Interpreter
• Translator

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Mathematics

• Architect
• Auditor
• Banker
• Economist
• Engineer
• Insurance broker
• Quantity surveyor
• Statistician

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Music

• Music composer
• Music industry promotions manager
• Musician
• Singer
• Music therapist

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Physical education

• Leisure centre manager
• Outdoor activities instructor
• Sports coach
• Sport physiotherapist

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Religious Studies

• Counsellor
• Religious leader
• Social worker
• Volunteer organiser
• Youth and community worker

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Science

• Agricultural scientist
• Astronomer
• Doctor
• Environmental scientist
• Forensic scientist
• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist