Proposals for 11-16

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Government Changes…

• As of 2015 all GCSE qualifications will change. All schools across the country are having to change. For some schools/teachers this will be their third change in as many years

• GCSE exams will no longer involve modular exams. Instead, pupils will sit 1 or 2 exams at the end of the 2 year course

• Your child will not complete coursework at home. Coursework is now completed under ‘controlled conditions’ in school

• The number of subjects that are recognised by the Government and are included in result data has been reduced

What does this mean for you and your child…?

• We have responded (as have most schools) to the changes made to Key Stage 4 education

• We have draft curriculums and option choices to share with you

• We are beginning the process of consulting on these options with parents; staff and pupils

• A finalised format will be completed by September 2014

• Next academic year, your child will receive information and guidance through PSHCE lessons; assemblies and via their teachers before completing their option choices by January 2015

What do the different examinations mean...? Course What does it mean?

Entry Level Entry Level Certificates and other work below Level 1

Level 1 GCSE grades D-G; Level 1 NVQ

Level 2 GCSE grades A*-C; BTEC Qualifications at Level 2; Level 2 NVQ

Level 3 A Level Qualifications (AS/A2); Level 3 NVQ

Level 4 Diploma; HNDs; Foundation Courses

Level 5 Degree Level

Level 6 Honours Degree

Level 7 Masters Degree

Level 8 PhD (Doctorate)

We will be preparing your children for…

Level 1 GCSE grades D-G; Level 1 NVQ

Level 2 GCSE grades A*-C; BTEC Qualifications at level 2; Level 2 NVQ

Leading to…

Level 2 GCSE grades A*-C; BTEC Qualifications at level 2; Level 2 NVQ

Level 3 A Level Qualifications (AS/A2); Level 3 NVQ

What grades will my child get…?

Currently examinations are graded A* - G In basic terms if your child took a GCSE at the end of Year 9 their National Curriculum Levels = GCSE grades as follows: Level 3 = G Level 4 = F Level 5 = E Level 6 = D Level 7 = C Level 8 = B

What about in 2 years time…?

If your child made good progress from the end of Year 9 to the end of Year 11, they would make 2 levels progress Your child’s GCSE grades could therefore be: Level 3 (G) = E Level 4 (F) = D Level 5 (E) = C Level 6 (D) = B Level 7 (C) = A Level 8 (B) = A*

Further changes…

• As you will no doubt have heard the grades for GCSE exams from 2015 are changing (as well as the format)

• Currently there are 8 grades from A* - G • This will change to 9 grades with 9 being the highest grade and 1 the

lowest • Currently we do not yet know how the 5A*- C will be categorised e.g. 5

‘9-5’ grades or 5 ‘9-6’ grades • Levels are also going…children will not get a level at the end of KS3.

We currently do not know the new format, but hope to be able to design our own format to link to the new GCSE grades

• We will keep you updated!!!

Where are we currently...? • All pupils currently have a target of 2 levels progress in each subject from Years

7 - 9; we plan to change this to a target of 4 levels (or equivalent!) of progress from Years 7 - 11 in order for your child to make very good progress (3 levels is expected progress)

• For the last year we have been planning for the 11-16 curriculum • Middle Leaders have investigated all possible GCSE Courses • Departments have decided upon the courses they believe are the best for our

pupils • Training has commenced with examination boards to ensure staff are familiar

with the curriculum; examinations and expectations • Members of staff have been visiting current 11-16 schools to develop best

practice • Members of staff have started writing Schemes of Work to be taught from 2015

What is certain…?

• Your child has to take a core offer of English (Lang & Lit); Maths; Science (Double); RE; PSHCE and PE

• Core PE will not be examined

• Pupils will have at least 3 options

• There may be the opportunity for 4 options

• The week is likely to be extended on a Friday…early finish may no longer be a possibility!

• Your child will be able to chose subjects which count towards the English Baccalaureate

What is the English Baccalaureate…?

• In your booklets (p2) the English Baccalaureate is explained • It is not a qualification; it is a comparative measure like 5A* - C;

5A* - C (including Eng and Ma) • It allows schools to be compared against each other • The government feel that the English Baccalaureate provides a

broad and balanced curriculum for all • No child will be forced to take English Baccalaureate subjects,

but we have indicated which subjects would need to be taken in order for your child’s results to be included in the comparative figures

So what will be the offer…? • There are a number of different models we can use such as…

Subject Version 1 Version 2 Version 3

English Language/Lit 4 4 3/4

Maths 4 4 3/4

Science (Double)* 5 5 4/5

RE 1 1 1

PE (Core) 2 1 1

PSHCE 1 1 1

Option 1 3/2 3/2 3

Option 2 3/2 3/2 3

Option 3 2/3 2/3 3

Option 4 0 0 3/0

Intervention lesson 0 1 0

Total Number of lessons 25 25 25

The option proposals…

• In the booklet issued to you we have laid out the courses we are proposing to offer next year

• Some subjects may be added to this depending upon staffing appointments over the next year

• For each subject there is a brief resume regarding what is taught. Further details will be given next year in the full option booklet

• We currently intend to give pupils free choice This is more difficult to timetable, but it enables the majority of pupils to have a personalised curriculum

What we would like you to do…

• Go home and read through the booklet • Based on the information provided, indicate at this point in time what

you think your child may opt for at this point (you will not be held to this). Your child will also receive a second assembly next week on this topic

• If your child might be interested in any of the courses that may run afterschool or at South Leicestershire College, please indicate this on the form

• Please let us know, at this stage, about your intention for your child to stay at Brockington. We hope everyone will stay as everyone is guaranteed a place and many have already indicated that this will be the case

Where can you get information…?

• Many of you will be aware that we have been discussing our plans through the Parent Forum for the last year and this will continue – all are welcome! Next meeting 7pm Tuesday 25 March

• Information has been and will continue to be included in the bulletin

• A new area on the school website will be created, prior to Easter holidays, which will keep you updated on the latest developments

• You can email in queries via the school e-mail address, which we will answer and also include answers on the website for others

Next stages…

• Planning continues e.g. the building; pastoral structure; staffing

• We will continue to update you via the various forums already mentioned

• Further Information Evenings will be held as and when necessary

• A further options evening with the finalised offer will be held in January 2015. We hope to see you all again at this point!!

Questions…