KS4 Options
Our options process starts in the Spring Term of Year 9. Pupils receive information regarding option choices in lessons and assemblies. Parents and pupils are invited to our Options Evening in February after which pupils are asked to select their GCSE option choices.
Please refer to the Option Booklet here for details of courses offered at KS4.
A copy of tthe option talk can be found here.
Key dates for 2023-24 academic year:
- Thursday 1st February 2024 - virtual subject parents evening
- Tuesday 6th February 2024- live Options Evening presentation and on-line options form released
- Monday 19th February 2024 - deadline for option choices
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the core subjects? How do you get a total of 8 or 9 GCSEs?
All pupils must study English Literature, English Language, Maths, Science (double or triple award) and core PE, RS and PSHE. These are known as core subjects as they are studied by all pupils. The Core subjects lead to 5 or 6 GCSEs. Pupils choose an additional 3 optional subjects. This gives a total of 8 or 9 GCSEs.
Pupils picked some options last year, from Drama, Music, Computing and Spanish. Are the options they pick now in addition to these?
The children may continue with the 2 subjects they chose in Year 9, if they wish. They must now select a total of 3 subjects.
What if you want to do all 3 humanities subjects?
We advise a broad and balanced curriculum. Talk to your humanities teachers and they will explain to you about the amount of writing and reading involved in these subjects and advise you to do a maximum of 2 humanities subjects.
For forensics investigation what options would you need to take?
You can find pathway guidance on the website https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs . We also recommend the website https://www.firstcareers.co.uk/. It is important that for specific pathways students look directly at the career requirements and work backwards. A career in forensic science, for example, would require a degree in forensic science, or a degree in another science discipline with a postgraduate award in forensic science.
Is it possible to study 10 GCSEs including Triple Science?
Triple Science takes your core subjects up to 6 and you then have a further 3 option subjects to choose from. It is the quality (grades achieved) rather than the quantity of GCSE which secure future pathways. Some pupils may decide to take a GCSE in their home language which could bring their total number of GCSEs to 10.
How and when do pupils choose the options?
The options form will be released on Tuesday 6th February via email direct to pupils. They click on the link in the email and complete the form online by Monday 19th February 2024
Is it a first come first served basis for options?
No, the deadline for all pupils is 19th February. We look at the choices and try to match with staffing and numbers.
How will you check pupils options?
Guidance interviews will take place following the options deadline. These interviews give the opportunity for the children to have a meeting with a senior member of staff to talk through their choices and future training/career plans, to check choices and to ask questions.
Will pupils get their first choices?
Whilst we make every effort to give pupils their first choices, this is not always possible because of timetabling constraints and/or the number of pupils opting for a subject. For this reason, we ask that all pupils indicate a reserve choice on their options form. If a pupil is unable to get their first choices for any reason they will be informed by the end of the spring term (March 2024).
What if a pupil changes their mind?
Once choices are finalised staffing and timetabling for the next academic year begins. Whilst we will do our best to match pupils to courses this may not always be possible once timetabling has begun.