Introduction
Key Stage 4 covers Year 9, 10 and 11 and it is at this stage that students can start deciding which subjects they require to further their career. Whilst some courses are compulsory others are optional and thus selecting the subjects to study is known as 'Options'.
Under a scheme called Raising the Participation Age (RPA) students currently in Year 8 will be required to remain in education or training until the age of 18; this can include employment with training and so does not mean that students need to remain in school to continue their training.
Choosing your option subjects is an important process as these form the passport for entry to further and higher education as well as employment.
It is important you understand the following:
Courses taken by students at Key Stage 4
All students will study the CORE CURRICULUM, which is compulsory. The subjects that make up the core are:
Subjects with choice
Humanities - You can choose either History or Geography. You may choose to study both humanities. This can be done by choosing the other humanity subject as one of your option choices.
Optional Courses
You must also choose three subjects from the following list:
The type of qualification can vary depending upon the ability of students. Courses may be withdrawn if there are not sufficient numbers of students choosing that option.
Courses may have limits on the number of students who can take a subject. If a course is oversubscribed students will be assigned to classes on a first come first served basis.
The English Baccalaureate (E-Bacc)
The Government introduced the English Baccalaureate in 2011. This is not a stand-alone qualification but an award given to students who achieve the expected level in a minimum of 5 subjects which must include all of the following:
All students in Bands C and S will have the opportunity to achieve the E-Bacc if they so wish.
Thinking ahead
During years 9, 10 and 11 students will start exploring and applying for their chosen route for years 12 and 13. This could include any of the following:
Students need to consider their chosen route when selecting their Key Stage 4 option choices. Whilst some students have made a decision on what career path they wish to follow, others are unsure on possible careers. Students who are unsure should choose a broad range of courses to 'keep their options open'.
More detailed careers information is available on the Lincs2 website.
Are you thinking of going on to study at university?
Making choices at this stage will affect the courses students can apply for at university. Students need to be aware that for a number of courses at university they need to have taken the subject at A Level and many A Levels require the subject to have been taken at Key Stage 4.
If students are considering studying at university you need to be aware of the entry requirements for the courses you may wish to study. These can be looked at using the UCAS website, in conjunction with individual university websites.
The Russell Group is an association of the top 20 universities in the country. They have produced a document called 'Informed Choices'. The document is important for both students who have a clear idea of the courses they might like to take and for those who aim to attend a good university but are unsure of their particular focus of study.
Some Further Education providers may not allow students onto an A Level course without them having studied the subject at GCSE previously. Currently, students who have studied combined science are permitted to take individual science subjects at A Level at Tollbar MAT sixth form colleges.
Choosing courses
When making your choices you need to find out as much information beforehand to ensure you are making the right choice. As well as exploring the website you can also talk to your Form tutor, Subject teachers, Citizenship teachers, Parents and of course Employers.
Do not make choices based on the following:
Changing and Dropping courses
Students need to be aware that it is difficult to change courses once they have started a course in September. If a course is full and a child requests moving into it, this will not be possible. If a student chooses a course for the wrong reasons and later asks to swap to an alternative, this is sometimes impossible and the student has to stick with the choice they have made.
Students will not be able to swap a subject after the first 4 weeks of study in Year 9.
Students changing options will need to ensure they are still studying one of the following subjects
Useful websites:
Course Content
Art, Craft and Design is about gaining knowledge of different art and craft styles, developing drawing skills, refining ideas, exploring media and producing personal artworks.
Future Pathways and Careers
Course Content
In ICT, you will learn how to use a computer correctly, developing the skills required to create professional business documents, manage your time, create graphic artwork and develop websites. You'll develop an understanding of how to plan digital media products and how these planning stages are an important factor in the development of any digital product such as DVD covers, comic books, games and websites.
Future Pathways and Careers
After studying ICT, you might want to move on to more advanced study in ICT or related subjects such as computer science, media studies and games development. Careers related to the subject are graphic designers, web developers, games developers and TV producers.
Course Content
The course will be a Level 1 / 2 qualification consisting of external and internal assessment content. Topics include physiology, diet and nutrition, and analysing sporting performance. Sporting competence across a number of sports is required with dedication and commitment to sport and physical activities outside of the curriculum being vital. The ability to lead, coach and potentially officiate various sports will also be a necessity.
Future Pathways and Careers
Course Content
GCSE Mathematics is taught to all students in KS4. Students study a range of topics from Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measure and Statistics and Probability. All students will sit their GCSE Mathematics examination at the end of Year 11. There are two tiers that can be taken; Foundation and Higher and for each tier there are 3 papers. All three papers must be at the same tier of entry and must be completed in the same assessment series.
Future Pathways and Careers
The reason why so many employers highly value mathematics qualifications is that mathematics students become better at thinking logically and analytically. Mathematics skills are very appealing to a variety of employers and are highly valued by university admissions tutors and further education establishments. Many careers use maths without you actually realising, it is not just for scientists and engineers.
Course Content
Photography is about gaining knowledge of different photographic styles, developing photography skills, refining ideas, exploring processes and producing personal artworks. Access to a camera or a mobile phone with a camera is required, as taking your own images outside of school and applying the skills and knowledge developed in the classroom is essential.
Future Pathways and Careers
Course Content
Exploration of a range of fiction and non-fiction texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The main focus is on understanding how writers create meaning and analysing the impact of this on the reader.
Assessment is at the end of Year 11, through two examination papers.
Future Pathways and Careers
English lends itself to a wide variety of future careers including journalism, working within the media, writing professionally, law and teaching.
Course Content
Study of four set texts. Analysis of the language, form and structures used in writing, along with exploration of the writer's intentions and relevance of the historical context.
Assessment is at the end of Year 11, through two examination papers.
Future Pathways and Careers
Similar to English Language, English literature can open doors to a wide variety of future careers including journalism, working within the media, writing professionally, law and teaching.
Course Content
Students will be able to understand a wide variety of language. They will also be able to talk and write in at least three different tenses about a variety of topics including: media, relationships, future plans, education, environment, voluntary work and travel. The course is divided into four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Future Pathways and Careers
Qualifications in languages can lead to jobs in travel and tourism, business and enterprise, fashion, translation and education.
Course Content
The course will look at how Germany has changed from the rule of Kaiser Wilhelm through to the Nazi regime. You then study British migration, empires and the people from 790AD and the Viking invasion, to the present day and the EU. Finally, the Norman conquest and its impact on England. This will also cover a site study that is directly related to the Norman invasion. You will develop a wide variety of skills, including: constructing a supported argument, investigation and problem-solving and how to interpret and analyse sources.
Future Pathways and Careers
Studying GCSE History can lead to a variety of career options, including:
Course Content
The course will allow pupils to develop a range of designing, developing and making skills.
40% Folder/ portfolio work and designing and developing products using a selection of methods including drawing, CAD and modelling.
10% practical, making products using various textiles materials and techniques.
50% written exam, based on all areas of Design and Technology looking at how materials are made, their different properties and uses. Product analysis, designers and design eras. (15% Maths).
Students require good drawing skills, good at coming up with ideas, have an interest in design and designers and be able to reason and problem solve.Future Pathways and Careers
Course Content
The course will allow pupils to develop a range of designing, developing and making skills.
40% Folder/ portfolio work and designing and developing products using a selection of methods including drawing, CAD and modelling.
The course is 10% practical, making products using various materials including woods, metals and plastics.
50% written exam, based on all areas of Design and Technology looking at how materials are made, their different properties and uses. Product analysis, designers and design eras. (15% Maths).
Students require good drawing skills, good at coming up with ideas, have an interest in design and designers and be able to reason and problem solve.
Future Pathways and Careers
Course Content
Religious Education explores the complex moral and ethical dilemmas faced in the modern world. Students will consider their own beliefs, alongside studying the beliefs of modern religions on a range of issues, such as terrorism, euthanasia and relationships.
Studies will focus on the Christian and Hindu perspectives, but due consideration is given to a range of views including non-religious and humanist.
Future Pathways and Careers
Careers that particularly value this include the law, journalism, politics and teaching. However, GCSE R.E. teaches tolerance, debate and self-reflection which are important in a range of careers.
Course Content
GCSE Combined Science has an emphasis on scientific literacy - the knowledge and understanding which students need to engage as informed citizens with science-based issues. The course explores how scientific information is obtained, how reliable it is, what its limitations are, and how this information helps society to make important decisions.
It also develops students' ability to plan and carry out scientific investigations and their understanding of the role of experimental work in developing scientific explanations.
Future Pathways and Careers
Course Content
By studying this subject students will be given the opportunity to develop valuable skills and techniques in music creation, performance and production and to rehearse and refine performances on their chosen instrument or voice.
You will:
Future Pathways and Careers
This course gives you all the necessary skills to move on to progress to other vocational and academic study at level 3, and also to progress to employment in the music and Performing Arts industries.
Course Content
By studying this subject you will learn to develop your skills in a variety of performing arts disciplines, and will plan and deliver a performance to an audience.
You will:
Future Pathways and Careers
This course gives you all the necessary skills to move on to progress to other vocational and academic study at level 3, and also to progress to employment in the Performing Arts industry.
Course Content
You will study natural hazards such as tropical storms, volcanoes, earthquakes and climate change along with aspects of the living world relating to rainforests and tundra. The course looks at urban issues and challenges, energy and resource management, whilst considering the impact of trade and aid around the world.
Future Pathways and Careers