Options
Year 9 Options
KS4 Pathways introduction
The Key Stage 4 curriculum has a strong preference around the English Baccalaureate subject suite of English, Maths, Science, a Humanities subject and a Modern Foreign Language. This provides a strong platform for academic and vocational/technical progression at age 16.
- These subjects are the key facilitators for lifelong opportunities. The Department for Education expects Coundon Court to deliver the EBacc to most students.
- At KS4 there is also some scope for student choice based upon engagement, aptitude and future employment planning.
- However, at this early stage of a student’s educational career it is essential to maintain a breadth of experience to support longer-term career options.
- Specialisation really begins to take place between the ages of 16 and 21. The core academic curriculum creates a robust pathway into A Levels and University but crucially, also enables a strong platform for vocational/technical progression. All students can see progression both up and along the national qualification ladder.
Timeline of Events – please note these may be subject to change. Any changes/updates will be communicated via Edulink on Parent and Student accounts.
- Week beginning 30th January: Options information to be sent to Parents/Carers. Student assembly and subject taster sessions begin.
- Week beginning 6th February: Option blocking forms to be sent out.
- 9th March: Options Evening onsite at Coundon Court with members of the School Leadership Team and Year 9 Team. The SEND team will also be available.
- Monday 13th March – provisional date for completing choices forms. These will be followed up with interviews with the Senior Leadership Team and the Year 9 Team.
Provisional curriculum at Key Stage 4 for September 2023
Students follow a core provision of Maths, English Language, English Literature and Combined Science. Students will also be expected to take History or Geography and French or Spanish.
Students will also choose a number of options that include:
- GCSE Art
- GCSE Business
- GCSE Computer Science
- GCSE Drama
- GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
- GCSE Geography
- GCSE History
- Cambridge National Creative iMedia (IT)
- GCSE Music
- GCSE PE
- GCSE Photography
- GCSE Product Design
- GCSE Sociology
There are alternative courses that may better suit our SEND students. These will be discussed with Parents/Carers and Students with the SEND team and Mrs Green (Assistant Principal – SENDCO) throughout the option process.
The option blocks will be influenced by student voice that occurs at the start of the process to allow us to support a student preference. These provisional option blocks are subject to change all the way through the process based on student choices and curriculum/staffing considerations.
Positive reasons for choosing a subject
- You enjoy the subject
- You are interested in the subject and want to study it in more detail.
- You have researched the careers or course and are interested in doing this in the future – this subject may be useful or necessary. However, please don’t worry if this doesn’t apply to you! You study a wide range of subjects that will complement whatever choice you make.
- You have read the options booklet and the course sounds interesting.
- You enjoyed the subject taster sessions and you have asked lots of questions to get more information.
- You have spoken to your teachers, Parents/Carers and they think this course will be suitable for you. We can also signpost to students who currently study or have completed the course.
- The course is organized to suit my preferred learning style e.g. some have more coursework with might suit me better than exams.
Reasons not to pick a subject!
- Your friends are choosing it.
- You like the teacher you have now.
- You can’t think of anything else to do.
- Other people want you to do it.
- You think it might be easier than other subjects.
- You have accessed out of date advice or information.
We will support you all the way through the process - from February to starting your courses next September. However, there are things you can be doing to ensure you make an informed decision:
- Read the options booklet
- Talk to your Parents/Carers or family who have been through this process
- Talk to your tutor
- Talk to you teachers