A guide to Key Stage 4

1. 1
Welcome

2. 2
Year 9 Options
Introduction to Options and Draft Choices: Assembly in week 1.
Options Booklet Published on Website and given to Pupils: This will give an overview of different
subjects and guidance on making options.
4 Weeks of Assemblies:
• English Baccalaureate Subjects: An explanation from Heads of Department about their subject area.
• Other Subjects: An explanation from Heads of Department about their subject area.
Parents’ Evening: An online event for parents and pupils Monday 23rd January via School Cloud
Options Form Completed: Pupils hand in their final choice using MS Forms Wednesday 15th February

3. 3
Key Staff
Subject Teachers Ongoing support
Head of Year Mrs Storey Ongoing support
Information Evening
for all Year 9 Parents
Miss Darmody
17th January
2022
Parents’ Evening
All subject teachers 23rd January
2022
Year 9 Options

4. 4
Year 9 Options
Booklet • Making the right choice
• Having the right
information
• Knowing who to speak to
What is this
booklet about?
Year 9 Options

5. 5
Year 9 Options
The GCSE Examination
• The General Certificate of Secondary Education, or GCSE, is the
main means of assessing students at the end of Key Stage 4.
• GCSEs are now graded 9-1 with grade 9 being the highest
grade.
• There is a focus on final examinations that you sit at the end of
Year 11.
• In some subjects there are higher / foundation papers papers
to allow for students of different abilities: Languages / Science /
Maths
• A small number of subjects have a coursework (non-exam
assessment) element which is part of the final grade.

6. 6
Year 9 Options
Vocational Qualifications
• The vocational qualifications are recognised equivalents
to GCSE qualifications; we offer 3 BTECs and 1 NCFE
course
• Success in these courses leads to grades Pass, Merit or
Distinction.
• Assessment is by portfolio and there will be some
external assessments. Work is based in a vocational
context and is enhanced by provision outside the
classroom.

7. 7
Open Programme
• All options are available when pupils make their choice.
• This will not impact the sets pupils are placed in.
• Choices may need to change due to class sizes and timetables later in the year.
Science
• All pupils will study science.
• Some pupils will be invited to a class of ‘Separate Science’ and some pupils invited to a class of
‘Combined Science’.
Year 9 Options

8. 8
Core Curriculum
Year 9 Options
• Religious Education
• English * 2 GCSEs – Literature & Language
• Maths
• Science * 2 or 3 – this is confirmed after Easter
• PE (not examined)

9. 9
GCSE English Baccalaureate Subjects
Year 9 Options
These GCSEs are traditional academic subjects which are being
given preference by the Government and Universities as
components of the English Baccalaureate.
French German
History Geography
Computer Science

10. 10
GCSE Subjects with Internal Assessment
Year 9 Options
These GCSEs combine a traditional focus alongside a proportion of the
course being internally assessed. This might suit some pupils’ style of
learning.
Art (all 4) Music
Physical Education DT: Product Design
DT: Food DT: Textiles

11. 11
Vocational Subjects
Year 9 Options
PE: BTEC Sport
Technology: Engineering
Social Sciences: Health and Social Care
IT: Creative Media

12. 12
Year 9 Options
You then make 3 choices
...

13. 13
Year 9 Options
First Choice – one from this list ...
French German
History Geography
Computer Science

14. 14
Year 9 Options
First Choice – one from this list ...
French German
History Geography
Computer Science*

15. 15
Year 9 Options
First Choice – one from this list ...
French* German*
History Geography
Computer Science

16. 16
Year 9 Options
Second and Third choices – two from this list ...
Art: Art & Design
Art: Graphics
Art: Fashion & Textiles
Art: Photography
DT: Product Design
DT: Food Technology
DT: Textiles
Engineering
PE (GCSE)
BTEC Sport
BTEC Health & Social Care
BTEC Creative Media
German
French
Computer Science
History
Geography
PE (GCSE)
Music

17. 17
Year 9 Options
Example 1
First Choice – one from this list ...
French German
History Geography
Computer Science

18. 18
Year 9 Options
Example 1
Second and Third choices – two from this list ...
Art: Art & Design
Art: Graphics
Art: Fashion & Textiles
Art: Photography
DT: Product Design
DT: Food Technology
DT: Textiles
Engineering
BTEC Sport
BTEC Health & Social Care
BTEC Creative Media
German
French
Computer Science
History
Geography
PE (GCSE)
Music

19. 19
Year 9 Options
Example 2
First Choice – one from this list ...
French German
History Geography
Computer Science

20. 20
Year 9 Options
Example 2
Second and Third choices – two from this list ...
Art: Art & Design
Art: Graphics
Art: Fashion & Textiles
Art: Photography
DT: Product Design
DT: Food Technology
DT: Textiles
Engineering
BTEC Sport
BTEC Health & Social Care
BTEC Creative Media
German
French
Computer Science
History
Geography
PE (GCSE)
Music

21. 21
Year 9 Options
These choices are important decisions for our
pupils. For their future achievement and
happiness.
They are important firstly in terms of
achieving a breadth and balance in our
studies as part of a high quality holistic,
Catholic education.

22. 22
Year 9 Options
Future Aspirations
They are also important in terms of the eventual grades our pupils
achieve and increasingly are used by Universities and Employers as a
deciding factor in offering places and/or jobs.
Foreign Languages have a particular importance: some Universities
require candidates to have a GCSE qualification in a modern foreign
language no matter the course. We recommend all pupils looking to go
to a Russell Group university take an MFL option.

23. 23
Year 9 Options
• +0.50 - 3rd best results in the North East
• Our teachers know our pupils really well
• Trust in our school

24. 24
What next?
Pupils submit form via MS Forms by Wednesday 15th February.
The school will look at suitability of choices: do we feel the right choice is being
made?
Look at which courses are going to run: contact made if some courses don’t run or if
choices are not possible.
Confirm choices by Easter: you will receive a letter with this on.
At any point you wish to ask a question or check something please contact us via the
contact form on the school website.
Thank you for listening.