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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IS A TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL AWARD? Technical/Vocational Awards are alternative qualifications to GCSE that are equally as challenging but offer a different approach to learning. The final qualification (if passed at Level 2) is equivalent to a pass at GCSE. Technical/Vocational Awards available in Sport, Performing Arts, Child Development, Creative iMedia and Hospitality & Catering so students should talk to the relevant departments if they would like more information. FINAL SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENTS TO CONSIDER WHEN MAKING THIER CHOICES: • What do I enjoy studying? • What are my strengths? • What way do I learn best and will the course suit me? • If I choose this option now, will it keep more options open for me later for further study, training or work? WHAT IF STUDENTS CHANGE THEIR MIND? We would hope this doesn’t happen! Students will all have received high quality guidance and input as part of IAG with the aim of reducing anxiety or questioning choices. If students change their mind before the end of Year 9, they should see Mr Berry (Associate Assistant Head). Once the course has started, students will have to have a very strong reason for changing and no requests will be considered after the end of September. Again, queries should be directed to the Associate Assistant Head In either case, course swaps are sometimes impossible due to timetable blocking and/or student numbers. WHAT ABOUT STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH GCSEs OR EQUIVALENTS? Any student that has followed a bespoke curriculum at King James’s will continue to do so during Key Stage 4. We tailor our curriculum to the needs of our students and will speak directly with the students and families that this affects. WHAT IF STUDENTS DON’T KNOWWHAT THEY WANT TO DO WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL? They do not need to worry about this! Our options process ensures a solid foundation for further study so we recommend that students focus on choosing the subjects they enjoy and do well at as that should ultimately lead to success. WHY ARE GCSES GRADED 9-1 NOW INSTEAD OF A*-G? The government has reformed all GCSE and A-Level qualifications over a 3-year period. Reformed qualifications at GCSE are now graded from 9-1 as well as being more challenging and having most of their assessment at the end of the 2-year course (see individual subject pages for more information). The new grade 9 is highly aspirational and will only be achieved by a small percentage of students across the country. More information on 9-1 will be provided at option evening. 6