You choose part of your curriculum when you join us at JCC.

1
The Curriculum

• You choose part of your curriculum when you join
  us at JCC.
• You have no choice over the core curriculum.
• This is the part of the curriculum that all
  students follow.

2

• The core curriculum is made up of
• English Language and English Literature
• Mathematics
• Double Science
• PSE Personal Social Education
• Core P.E. (this is not examined)
• RE, ICT and Work Related Learning is also covered

3

• Double Science studied as part of the core
  curriculum (10 lessons a fortnight achieve TWO
  GCSE grades at the end of Year 11). Can study A
  Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics if grades B
  or above are achieved.
• Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• - students study science during Double Science
  lesson time, but have additional lessons through
  an option choice (15 lessons a fortnight and
  achieve THREE GCSE grades, at the end of Year 11).

4
Option Choices
5

• You will study an additional four GCSEs to add
  to the six that you do as part of the core
  curriculum.
• GCSE Assessed by examination and will include
  controlled assessments.
• BTEC / OCR Nationals (Level 2) Available in
  some subjects and are assessed via coursework /
  assignments and external assessments (need good
  literacy skills).

6

• Level 1 GCSE grades between D G
• Level 2 GCSE grades between A - C
• Foundation Tier Paper You can achieve a grade
  between C - G on the paper
• Higher Tier Paper You can achieve a grade
  between A - D on the paper

7

• Most students will study 4 GCSE Options or
  equivalent, but there will be some exceptions
• students who choose a Double Award course (Health
  and Child Care) will study fewer subjects because
  Double Awards are equivalent to two GCSE option
  time
• some students will be placed a more
  individualised programme where they study fewer
  GCSEs in total

8

• Study Plus
• Suited to students who are predicted a grade D/C
  in English and/or Maths but can achieve a grade C
  or better with additional support
• Level 5C-5B in English or / and
• Level 5A 6C in Maths at the end of KS3
• Lessons are taught with an emphasis on improving
  literacy and numeracy
• You will study BTEC Level 2 Work skills in Year
  11(equivalent to GCSE grade B)
• Further guidance will be given by your teachers /
  tutors

9

• Foundation Learning
• Personalised learning programmes for students
  working at Entry Level and Level 1
• In addition to the Core curriculum you will
  study
• Work skills Level 1
• General Vocational Studies Level 1
• Jamie Oliver Home Cooking Skills Level 1
• Enrichment lessons
• TWO option subjects
• We are speaking to your teachers if you are
  suited to Foundation Learning

10

• Work Skills
• Suited to students who may struggle to study 4
  GCSE Options or equivalent
• You will choose 3 GCSEs and do Work Skills as
  your 4th option
• The course is based around the completion of Work
  Experience and the development of practical
  skills linked to work
• Warning you may not get all three first choices
  if you choose to study Work Skills because of the
  way the timetable works
• Talk to your teachers if you think Work Skills is
  for you

11

• Although we support and encourage you to choose
  your subjects, it is important that you follow
  the advice of your parents and carers, the
  teaching staff, and other adults who may be
  involved in this process.

12

• In most cases, we advise you to choose a broad
  and balanced curriculum that may include
• a creative or practical subject
• a modern foreign language
• a subject where you develop your research,
  recording and presentation skills
• This still allows for a more specialised fourth
  choice.
• If your teachers are concerned that your choices
  are very narrow, there may be a need for further
  discussion.

13

• When it comes to making your actual choices for
  GCSE Options, we are asking you to choose six
  subjects that you would like to study.
• There are a number of good reasons for this

14

• Some subjects may not run if there is not enough
  student demand for them
• There are timetabling restrictions
• If the first four subjects that you choose do not
  cover a range, there are others you could study

15

• When you have chosen your 6 subjects for your
  Options, you need to write them into the table on
  the application form.
• Please remember to place them in rank order, so
  that the subject at the top (in the number 1
  position) is your most preferred subject.
• We try very hard to give you your top four
  choices on the basis that we assume that these
  are your most preferred subjects.

16
My Choices (in rank order)
You must make four choices and two reserve
choices

Choices Reserve choices
1 Spanish GCSE 1 Study Plus BTEC
2 Health and Child Care OCR National 2 Business Studies GCSE
3 Health and Child Care OCR National
4 Media GCSE
Parent Signature

High School Tutor Signature
17

• Remember there are certain combinations that
  students CANNOT do
• Health Child Care AND Health Social Care
• GCSE PE AND BTEC Sport
• GCSE Business Studies AND BTEC Enterprise and
  Entrepreneurship
• Rock School AND Music not advised

18

• It is worth keeping a record of the choices that
  you make for GCSE Options.
• Sometimes students are surprised by the subjects
  they are given because they dont remember the
  choices they have made.
• If you have a record of your choices, then you
  can keeping checking to make sure you have made
  the right decision. If you realise at a later
  date that you have made the wrong kind of choice,
  then we may be able to do something about this
  (but we cannot guarantee this).

19
English Baccalaureate (EBAC)

• This is a qualification awarded to students if
  they achieve between grades A - C in ALL of the
  following GCSE subjects
• English Language
• Maths
• Two Sciences
• Modern Foreign Language
• Geography or History

20
English Baccalaureate (EBAC) at JCC

• You do not have to study the EBAC option subjects
  (MFL, Geography / History) if you do not wish to
• You CAN still opt to study a Modern Foreign
  Language or Geography or History even if you are
  not likely to achieve grade C or above

21
What Next?

• Think about your long term plans e.g. careers,
  further education
• Get advice from parents/carers, teachers, other
  adults
• Do some research on subjects, especially new ones
• Speak to current or ex-John Cleveland students
  about their choices

22

• The KS4 Choices is a long process, not only for
  you but for us too.
• You should know what subjects you are studying in
  the last half term of Y9.
• You will also come to JCC in July for your 5 day
  Induction Programme. As part of this, you will
  experience some lessons in the courses you have
  chosen for Y10.

23

• To summarise
• you have a lot of choices to make at KS4, so take
  your time and think carefully about it
• get us much advice, information and support as
  you can to help you to make the right choices
• do not be afraid to say if you think, at any
  point, you may have made the wrong choice or
  choices