You can contact Ms Trahearn (JTrahearn@lchs.uk), Mrs Foley (AFoley@lchs.uk) or Mr Middleton (BMiddleton@lchs.uk) for more information about the options process.

All GCSE subjects have been through a process of reform in recent times and your son’s/daughter’s cohort will study these reformed 9—1 GCSE qualifications.

New reformed GCSEs will be taught and examined in much the same way as the previous qualifications. The main changes to the courses are,

· Changes to course content.

· The removal of Controlled Assessment (previously called coursework) except in subjects where essential skills can not be tested in an examination.

· The qualifications will be linear, with examinations will all be at the end of the course.

· Grades will be expressed as number on a scale of Grade 9 (highest) to Grade 1 (lowest).

· A grade 5 will be deemed a ‘good pass’ and a grade 4 is a ‘standard pass.’

These reformed GCSEs have increased the number of examinations which students sit at the end of Year 11, but there has also been an increase in the amount of knowledge which students are required to learn for each course. In order to address this, we have taken the decision to reduce the number of option choices and therefore help students to be more successful and thereby also reduce the amount of pressure that can be associated with examinations.

Some subjects are vocational qualifications and therefore are graded at Level 1 and Level 2. A Level 1 Pass, Merit or Distinction is the equivalent of a new Grade 3 – Grade 1. A level 2 Pass, Merit or Distinction will be the equivalent of a new Grade 7 – Grade 4 pass.

Although a career may seem a distant prospect, in three years’ time Year 8's will be applying for further education courses such as A Levels, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. The vast majority of LCHS students stay on in our Sixth Form, however some students do continue with their education at college or with an employer. In order to support our students in making the transition from KS3 to KS4 we have various programmes in place. These programmes are designed to enhance the learning experience and support all students to make well informed realistic decisions about their futures. Our full-time LCHS Careers Co-ordinator, Mr Gibbins, and our impartial Careers Advisor, Mrs Thorpe, are always on-hand to offer support, advice and guidance when necessary. Our LCHS Careers Hub is the perfect location to receive 1:1 or group guidance.

Throughout your child's secondary education at LCHS, we offer full access to KUDOS for free. KUDOS is an online Careers Guidance platform that can be accessed from school or at home. KUDOS works to support the CEIAG offer that is regularly covered during SMSC and tutor-periods. Your child will often spend a tutor-period watching videos on a range of careers, giving a valuable insight into the labour market and qualifications required.

Year 8 - In a ‘normal’ year, our Year 8 students would receive an assembly from a careers specialist to support our students with the decision-making process. We also offer presentations by Heads of Subject to inform students about the qualifications taught within their area. This is supported by an opportunity to communicate via email with Heads of Subject and the Progress Leader to further discuss option choices and an FAQ sheet will be distributed during this period.

Year 9 - In Year 9 students start to take a closer look at work related learning and careers, with all students taking part in a Careers Day. During the Careers Day students get the opportunity to take part in various activities these include talks from industry professionals and presentations from local employers, higher and further education establishments, apprenticeship providers and the armed forces.

Year 10 – In Year 10 students have the opportunity to undertake work experience week, whereby, those students that have elected to take part, spend a week on placement. Students are tasked with finding their own placements with our support and we encourage them to be proactive and professional, finding suitable and meaningful work experience placements.

Year 11 - In Year 11 students participate in Interview Day the focus is on students being prepared for employment and further studies. Local business partners are invited into the school to form interview panels and each student is asked to attend a mock interview. This process includes preparing a CV, completing an application form and how to conduct yourself at an interview. During Year 11 all of our students have the opportunity for a 1:1 careers interview with a qualified advisor to discuss their next steps.