Curriculum – KS4

Options

We are beginning the 2024 options process, through which all Year 9 students will decide the curriculum that they wish to study through until the end of Year 11. This booklet will  guide you through it and we are here to support you in the decisions that you make.

 

There are some myths about the choices made at Year 9 and some potential misconceptions too. We would strongly encourage students and parents to actively discuss these decisions, but we would also strongly counsel people to select courses that they are genuinely excited about studying.

 

Everyone will study English (Language and Literature, 2 GCSEs), Mathematics, Combined Science (2 GCSEs unless a student opts for Triple Science), Personal Development and Citizenship (non-examination) and Core PE (non-examination).

 

You then have an open choice of four subjects, however, we also strongly recommend that you choose History, Geography or Religious Studies.  We would like you to think carefully about these choices. Whilst we will always do our utmost to ensure that any option subject we offer is able to run, in unforeseen circumstances we reserve the right to withdraw a subject.

Whilst we can’t guarantee you all your first choices, we will aim to get you onto your selected courses and will discuss on an individual basis with any student who does not get their choices. We will prioritise students into subjects that are limited on numbers based on what their reserve choice is and, on their Attitude to Learning scores across all their subjects.

Where to Get Help

  • Discuss your choices fully with your parents/carers.

 

  • Ask advice from subject teachers or your tutor. Seek information on the level, content, teaching methods and assessment of the course.

What support is available for my child?

 

A variety of support structures are available to your child during their GCSE courses. This may include coaching, mentoring, catch-up sessions, additional holiday revision classes as well as the usual pastoral support which is on offer to all students.

Key Dates:

Thursday 29th February 2024  Options Evening 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm

(Headteacher’s talk – 6.00 pm and 6.45 pm)

Monday 4th March 2024  Options online opens

Friday 15th March 2024  Options online completed

End of June 2024  Students notified of options

July 2024  Students attend course taster sessions

September 2024    Key Stage 4 timetable commences

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

At Key Stage 4, all students study English (Language and Literature, 2 GCSEs), Mathematics, Combined Science (2 GCSEs unless a student opts for Triple Science), Personal Development and Citizenship (non examination) and Core PE (non examination).

In addition, Students choose 4 GCSE or equivalent qualifications to study. They can choose from the following:

 

These are open choices and students are strongly encouraged and supported to choose subjects that they believe they will most enjoy, that they have experienced the most success in at Key Stage 3, and that they feel will lead them to the career and Post-16 ideas that they might have already.

All Key Stage 4 classes are taught by a subject specialist and the subject leader has designed a comprehensive Key stage 4 curriculum that builds on the Key Stage 3 curriculum  and fully prepares them for GCSE/BTEC and to be ready to study it Post-16 if they wish. The learning journey continues from Key Stage 3 into Key Stage 4 and allows students to see their progression through the Key stage.

Like Key stage 3, in Key Stage 4, we also have attitude to learning descriptors, which identify what a student is like as a learner.  It is imperative that students develop and build on positive learning habits from Key stage 3 so they are able to learn well in school and work independently.

For all subjects at Key stage 4, you can see the learning journey and detail about the curriculum content for each year. The e-mail address of the Subject Lead can be found in each subject area so please contact them if you would like further information about their curriculum, or guidance about how you can support your son/daughter.

For additional information on the Key Stage 4 curriculum please contact Julie Rann, Assistant Headteacher at jrann@roundhill.bepschools.org