The Key Stage 4 Student Options Booklet should help students as they make their way through the process of agreeing the subjects they will be studying at Key Stage 4. This process offers students some choice in what they can study in years 10 and 11 and they receive a great deal of advice and guidance.

Some important dates:

• 11th January 2012 : Year 9 Parents Evening.
• 16th January 2012 : Options Assembly - Curriculum explained to students in assembly.
• 24th January 2012 : Parents' evening to explain curriculum to parents.
• 25th January 2012 : Students tour displays from Options Evening (period 1).
• 1st February 2012 : Activity Day. Students experience lessons in some option subjects.
• 10th February 2012 : KS4 Options Form to be handed in to tutor.

On the basis of these choices, the school will begin to make planning decisions and so the choices should be carefully considered. Changes may be made during Year 9 if there is the capacity to do so.

Stages in making choices

1. Make sure that you know what the choices are -

Many of the subjects will continue through into Key Stage 4 and students will not be required to make a choice. Students can, however, prepare themselves to make the best use of the opportunities available by finding out what will be involved.

There will, however, be some areas where decisions will be required. By choosing carefully, a large number of possible combinations can be achieved. However, not all combinations will be possible and, although we have carefully tried to maximize the possibilities, students will probably have to leave out some subjects currently being studied.

Students should make sure that they know what is involved at Key Stage 4 in the subjects they are choosing between. This is particularly relevant for new subjects which have not been studied before, but it is also important for subjects being studied now. The options process provides lots of opportunities for finding out about all subjects.

2. Consider the consequences of your choice -

The subjects that students continue with should ensure that they retain a broad and balanced curriculum; this means that they should try to study at least one Modern Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish), a Humanities subject (Geography, History or RE) and an Expressive Arts subject (Art, Drama or Music). When they choose which subjects they would like to take, they should consider what they may go on to study at a higher level and/or likely careers that they might wish to pursue. The guidance they have been given in careers lessons, PSHE&C and advice from their Tutor and subject teachers should help them make the most informed choices.

3. Seek advice -

Parents, subject teachers and tutors will be able to help students make their choices and students should be encouraged to seek their advice. The decision however is theirs and should be thought about carefully. A student should not select a subject because their friend is choosing it or because they like the teacher, as the teacher may not teach them the following year. Students should carefully select the subjects based on what they enjoy, are good at and will be successful in. If students are clear about a future career, the subjects that are most appropriate to this career should be selected.

4. Be prepared to change choices -

The school has to use the teachers it has available for the benefit of all the years in the school not just year 10. It will therefore be necessary to make decisions as the choice process progresses about the number of groups in some subjects and indeed even whether certain subjects will run. As these decisions are made they may affect students choice so they should be prepared to consider alternatives. It may also happen that teachers will advise students to take or not to take certain subjects. The Year Leader and tutor will be responsible for talking through such changes with students. If a student wishes to change their choice at any stage they should talk it through with their tutor or Year Leader.

This year we have created two versions of the Options Booklet (1) a Parent Options Booklet and (2) a Student Options Booklet. Both are available electronically and a hard copy of the Student Booklet will be given to students in the Options Assembly.

An options form can be found at the back of the booklet which must be completed and returned to tutors by 10th February 2012.

Mrs M Drayton
Deputy Headteacher