Year 9 Options Evening is taking place on Wednesday 28th February 2024 and all options choices must be submitted by Thursday 28th March 2024.
Pupils choose their Options at the end of Year 9, and begin all their examined courses as part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum in Year 10.
All pupils take GCSEs in Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, Combined (or separate) Sciences and at least one of the Humanities (History and Geography). The majority of pupils are expected to continue with the Modern Foreign Language they have been studying at Key Stage 3.
During Key Stage 3, pupils study the full suite of subjects on the National Curriculum and are also exposed to a number of non-statutory subjects such as Drama, Photography and Enterprise, in order that they are well-prepared to make the decisions that face them in Year 9.
The other options available, include a wide range of creative, practical and academic GCSEs and a suite of Vocational Qualifications, which are open to all pupils.
Click here to view the full list of qualifications currently taught at KS4.
Subject areas make recommendations on which subjects may be best suited to each child, based on their progress at KS3, but we do not limit any child’s access to particular qualifications as a matter of principle. We encourage pupils to consider a Vocational Qualification as part of their options, as we recognise the contribution these subjects make to preparing pupils for a future in which they can apply their learning in the workplace.
Through an individual meeting for your child with their “options adviser”, we ensure that every child is offered a set of Options that will give them access to aspirational Post-16 opportunities. We know that some pupils will aspire to Further Education at the country’s top universities, others will complete Technical Levels and others may favour Apprenticeships and employment. Whatever your child’s aspirations, their options will provide them with the right combination of subjects to open these doors.
Should you require more information on the Options process, please contact Mrs Whitaker (Deputy Headteacher, Curriculum and Assessment).
The link below will take you to a set of videos that explain each of the 2024 Options in more detail.