Year 9 2025 St Thomas the Apostle Options Brochure

Dear Parents/Carers,

This booklet contains very important information on the curriculum for Key Stage 4, the choices within the options curriculum and details of each subject’s scheme of work leading to GCSE and other qualifications.

Students in Year 9 will know their strengths and weaknesses from reports, assessments and comments from subject staff. It is necessary, therefore, that this self-knowledge is applied to the choices that have to be made by Thursday 5th June. You will use a website called Applicaa to make them. This will not go live until after the options evening in May.

It is essential that every student receives a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum offer at Key Stage 4, to ensure that the progress made at Key Stage 3 is maintained and that the core skills in English and Mathematics are reinforced. I would also take this opportunity to inform you that students achieving 5 9 grades in English Language, Mathematics, two Sciences, History or Geography, and a Modern Foreign Language will qualify for the English Baccalaureate.

Students should also be mindful of the possible progression routes to Post-16 education and, particularly, to the Sixth Form at St Thomas the Apostle College. Advice should, therefore, be sought from form tutors, subject staff and from the careers advice service via email.

Further valuable advice can also be sought from the website where the following information videos have been added:

• Subject information from the Head of Department

• Instructions and advice from Mr Vaughan, Head of Year 9

If you have any questions after reading this booklet about the two pathways or the Options process then please email enquiries@stac.southwark.sch.uk.

Mrs M Woodhead

Associate Assistant Head