Year 9 Options 25th January 2023
● The process can be daunting/scary/confusing there are many people who will offer guidance and advice if you need it
● You are not the first year group who has gone through this experience and you won’t be the last
Options process ● Time to make some big decisions that you may use to shape your future
Date* Event
Week beginning 16/01/23
Options process starts: Form tutors, subject teachers, Head of Year start discussions regarding options and pathways
Week beginning 23/01/23 Options assembly 1: Head of Year leads an assembly on the options process outlining key details and dates to students
Week beginning 30/01/23
Options booklet published
Week beginning 27/02/23
Options assembly 2: Head of Year and Head of Sixth Form lead an assembly on the options process and next steps. Highlighting key points which can inform an options decision
08/03/23
Options evening: Parents and students invited to school for an evening to discuss the options process and gather information about each subject.
Week beginning 13/03/23 Students choose options via an online system
31/03/23
Week beginning 22/05/2023
*Dates are subject to change
Options process ends: Options process closes. Students can no longer opt for a subject.
Confirmation of options: Students will receive confirmation of the options they have chosen.
Why making the right choice is important ● Options affect how you will spend your time in KS4 ● The right choices make for more enjoyable experiences
● Link to future study choices, the guidance is there to maximise success and co-ordinated subjects
● Link to future careers
Making the right choice
● What are your interests?
● What are you good at and what skills do you have??
● What activities do you enjoy in and out of school?
● What is your ability like? Be realistic!
● Will the assessment methods suit you?
● Where will it lead you?
● It's ok not to know what you want to do - breadth of choice can be the best option in this situation
Pathways
Science pathway
Is it for me?
● Science is studied by all students inYear 10
● Assessments fromYear 7 - 9, target grades and other relevant information will help us to guide students most suited to opt for the Science pathway
● The Science pathway is not compulsory for students identified as being most suited. Students can still choose one of the other pathways if they wish
● Separate sciences are not always the best route as it leads to narrowed and specific career opportunities
● Students taking separate science will take it as one of their opted subjects
Language pathway
Is it for me?
● Do you enjoy language learning, travel, do you see your career taking you outside of the UK, Do you want to make yourself stand out in the local job market?
● Assessments fromYear 7 - 9, target grades and other relevant information will help us to guide students most suited to opt for the Language pathway
● The Language pathway is not compulsory for students identified as being most suited.
● Students on this, or the Flexible pathway will study Combined Science
● Students who already speak French or Spanish as a first or second language may be suited to this pathway
pathway Is it for me?
Students on the Flexible pathway will study Combined Science
The Flexible pathway allows students to choose a wider range of subjects which is useful if you want to keep your options open or you are uncertain which career you want to pursue
Students taking the Flexible pathway can choose 2 option subjects to study
Flexible
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Who can you speak to for advice? Remember it is only advice - you have to make and be happy with the choices. ● FormTutors ● Head ofYear - Mr McLean ● Parents/Guardians ● Mr Gardner ● Mr Mullen-Furness ● SubjectTeachers/Heads of Department (seeYr 9 Options Booklet) ● CareersAdviser - MrsTranter
