Key Stage 4 Courses

Choosing courses for Key Stage 4

Students in Year 8 choose their Key Stage Four courses early in the summer term. We work hard to give parents and students the information they need about the courses that they will spend the next three years studying. The information to all is available as a pdf which can be downloaded here: ChoicesBook2012.

There is also an ebook version available here. (in some browsers, you may need to switch to full screen mode, which is an option in the bottom left hand corner, as in the picture)

Additional Information about the Foundation Learners Course (Orange pathway) can be downloaded here: Foundation Learner Course Year 9

Core subjects

All students continue to study English, Maths and Science, plus two hours of PE a week and modules of compulsory RE spread throughout years 9 and 10. These subjects are taught in ability bands.

Choices

In other subjects students have to choose a pathway that they would like to follow. You will find a range of qualifications across these pathways including GCSEs, vocational courses at college, BTECs (a GCSE equivalent) and one A/S level. These are not taught in ability bands.

Pathways

You will see from the booklet you receive that we have made some suggestions about the pathway which we believe best supports your son or daughter, particularly in the light of changes to the Key Stage 4 examinations, for example what is being called the English Baccalaureate (a combination of English, Maths, Science, Languages and a Humanities subject) and a reduction in the number of BTECs which now count for the same as a GCSE. We will talk about these matters, and the recommended pathways, at Information and Parent evenings.

Dates for your diary

Year 8 reports issued, including subject recommendations for Key Stage 4: 30th March
Students have subject presentations within class time- weeks beginning 16th and 23rd April
Choices fair for students and parents – 17th April 2012
Parents Evenings 24th April and 2nd May 2012
Students One to One reviews with their tutors 8th – 11th May 2012
Choices forms returned by 18th May 2012

Please note that whilst we work hard to provide choice for students and to give as many as we can their first choice, this is not always possible. If not enough students choose a course we cannot run it; in some subjects such as Technology, we cannot run groups above a certain size. Where this happens we will be in touch with you to discuss the best next steps. We hope that you find this booklet and the process useful and informative. We are always aware of how much detail we have to give you and how challenging this can be, especially for parents who are going through the system for the first time! As ever, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you feel we can help or if you want to discuss in more detail the pathway that we have recommended. Good contacts to choose from are your child’s tutor or Guidance Manager, Mrs Kennedy, our Key Stage 3 Manager, or Mr Nevola our Deputy Head.