Curriculum – KS4

Link for Year 9 Options Booklet can be found below, all Year 9 students have received a copy of this prior to Christmas 2024.

Options Booklet 2025 (opens in new tab)

Options

We are beginning the 2025 options process, which will enable all Year 9 students to
decide the curriculum they wish to study until the end of Year 11.This booklet will
guide you through the choices and we are here to support you in the decisions that
you make.

Everyone will study English (Language and Literature, two GCSEs), Mathematics,
Combined Science (two GCSEs unless a student opts for Triple Science), Personal,
Social, Health and Economics (PSHE) education (non-examination) and Core PE
(non-examination).

Options choices:
• All students need to choose at least one of the following subjects:
• Geography, History or Computer Science.
• Students selected for the French pathway will also choose French.
• Students can then choose from the options list up to a total of four choices.
• There are some restricted option combinations – students may only choose
either:
• Art or Textiles
• Design and Technology or Food Preparation and Nutrition
• BTEC Travel and Tourism or CNAT Health and Social Care
• GCSE PE or BTEC Sport

We would like you to think carefully about your choices.
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.
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.

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.

Key Dates:

Wednesday 26th February 2025  Options Evening 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm

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

Options online opens – Monday 3rd March 2025

Options online completed – Friday 14th March 2025

Students notified of options – Date TBC

July 2025 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:

 

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