Year 9 Get a Taste of GCSEs
Tamesin Quinn
/ Categories: News
Year 9 students have had the opportunity to participate in an exciting Options Taster Day and Options Fair today.
The options process began in December 2014 with a World of Work day and Careers Fair for Year 9s to start thinking about their futures.
Today, however, has been an extremely important and beneficial day for our Year 9s as they had the opportunity to experience subjects which they are 50:50 about choosing next year.
Miss Birchwood, Head of School said: “The whole day has been designed to help our students make the best choice they can for Year 10.”
During the taster sessions staff reviewed course content, coursework and exam assessments, as well as looking at A*-G grade samples of work. Subjects then offered a taste of a unit project, for example:
- Art - "All About Me" in pencil
- Hair and Beauty – Mini-manicures
- Computing – Researching networks
- Geography – Jelly baby population challenge game
- Construction – Designing a dream home
- Drama – Using an image of Manchester riots to recreate a ‘freeze-frame’ scene
- Music – Using computer sequencing software to create a piece of music
An Options Fair during period 3 gave students an additional opportunity to speak to subject staff as well as students currently on the course.
Both activities today were organised in response to feedback from the Student Council. Students had requested subject taster sessions as well as an opportunity to gain a realistic view of the courses from current Year 10 students.
This week has also included extended assemblies from specialist subject staff to provide detailed information about their courses. Staff are covering 3/4 subjects every day - highlighting what each course entails, how they are assessed and possible linked careers.
Parents and students are visiting the Academy tonight for the Year 9 Parents Evening and Options Event to discuss progress and gain further options advice.
Over the next two weeks, students will have one-on-one interviews with SLT, Year Leaders or Inclusion Manager. Options forms can be submitted then, however, students have until Friday 27th March to hand in their forms.