YEAR 9 OPTIONS

We are delighted to present to you our Key Stage 4 curriculum. This is a curriculum which will give your child access to the qualifications, knowledge and skills they need to access the best universities in the country should they so wish.

For this reason, the next two years are crucial to your child’s future.

In designing our curriculum, we have been guided first and foremost by our school vision to bring out the very best in every child. To meet this aim, we have designed a curriculum offer which:

  • is broad and balanced across a range of both academic and vocational qualifications
  • allows students to pursue individual learning pathways in areas of particular talent or interest such as the expressive arts or humanities
  • provides a level of flexibility to meet the needs of students who might require support
  • links clearly to further study and future employment

 

Find out more about the options process…

What are my pathway choices?

The Academy has designed specific pathways for its students at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). We ensure students take courses that are suitable for them and give them the best possible chance of success, of fulfilling their potential and achieving the best possible results.

On the EBacc Pathways, students will study for the English Baccalaureate of English, Maths, ScienceRE language (Chinese, French or Spanish), and Geography or History. Students will have the choice of an additional options subjects from a wide range of courses on offer.

On the EBacc Option Pathway, students will have the possibility of studying the EBacc pathway; they will study English, Maths and ScienceRE  and will choose three options from a wide range of courses to complete a full timetable.

On the Vocational Pathway, students will study English, Maths, Science and RE and choose from a range of other subjects including a selection of vocational courses.

What is the EBACC (ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE)?

The English Baccalaureate is not a qualification in itself; it is a group of qualifications in ‘facilitating’ subjects. These are subjects which develop good learning skills, and which universities consider to be useful for higher education.

Taking the EBacc is about having a wide range of these subjects and keeping your options open for studies at Sixth Form. Although it is important to be aware that the EBacc is not needed to go to university.

In order to achieve the English Baccalaureate, you will need a good GCSE grade (9-5) in English, Maths, Science, a Modern Foreign Language, and History or Geography.