Y9 Key Stage 4 Options

Monday 24 January 2011

Pupils in Year 9 will be entering one of the most important phases of their education so far over the next few weeks. Most will already have been thinking about which subjects they would like to study in Key Stage 4.

Y9 KS4 Curriculum Guide - January 2011

On Thursday 27th January our Key Stage 4 Curriculum Evening takes place. During the evening there will be a presentation on the options process and the chance to talk to subject teachers about the courses they are offering, as well as to representatives from Cirencester College and the Connexions service. Over the following two weeks there will be presentations in lessons and taster sessions for subjects not taught in Key Stage 3. Following the Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 10th February options forms will be given out, to be returned by Tuesday 17 February.

The government’s White Paper on Education, published in December, announced the introduction of the “English Baccalaureate”. This is not a separate qualification as such but is likely to be an additional certificate awarded to those who attain a Grade C GCSE or better in all of the following:

• English Language
• Maths
• Science – pupils would need two GCSEs in science to qualify e.g. either Core and Additional Science or two from Physics, Chemistry and Biology
• A Language
• Geography or History

The idea is to encourage schools to increase take up of Languages, History and Geography. This does not mean that they have become compulsory. It may be that pupils want to follow this combination of subjects anyway – almost half our current Year 10 do – but it may be that their strengths and interests lie in other areas.

Most of our Year 9 pupils are still only 13 and, clearly, have little idea of the career path they will follow. To help them think about possible career choices, and the subjects they may need to study, all Year 9 pupils will be given a login to the U-explore website, which contains a wealth of information about careers. They will also have a lesson in which to learn about the site. This can be accessed from home and could be a useful starting point for discussions about potential careers.

Last year a number of parents emailed me with questions about courses and I will be happy to help in any way I can. If I don’t know the answer I will find someone who does. My email is sttconnole@deerparkschool.net

Tim Connole
Deputy Head