Key Stage 4
Students formally begin their GCSE and non-GCSE courses in core subjects at the beginning of Year 10, although in essence, have been preparing since the beginning of Year 7. In non-core subjects, the GCSE curriculum is comprised of skills acquisition, as opposed to the knowledge content on which they will be examined at the end of Year 11.
In Years 10 and 11, students are able to take up to ten subjects covering a wide variety of areas. Their pathway will depend on how well they have progressed through Key Stage 3 and what they want to prepare themselves for in terms of their future study. Students take their external GCSE examination in RS at the end of Year 10.
In Year 9 students are supported and guided through the KS4 Pathways process. This ensures that they are on appropriate courses in the right subjects for the future. The Year 10 and 11 pathway is comprised of:
Essential Learning
A core of English, Maths, Science, PE (non-examined), PSHEE (non-examined) and RS. In addition, students must study at least one EBacc qualification (Triple Science, Computer Science, MFL, Geography or History).
Additional Learning
Students may choose a further 2 courses from a wide range of GCSEs, BTEC or vocational qualifications.
All students have aspirational target grades for each course they follow and we regularly assess student progress and report this to parents three times a year. Parents can also have 1:1 conversations with members of staff at different points during the year at our parent consultation events. For further information, please see the parents' section of the website.
For all KS4 students they are required to attend at least one session of additional study (period 6). This will either be an independent study session (Golden Hour) or a subject booster session if they are underachieving.
A range of enrichment courses, designed to enhance and complement the examined subjects, is also available and many students will take at least one enrichment course during KS4.
Essential Learning courses for Key Stage 4
Additional Learning Courses (2 options available*)
*these are examples of courses we have run over the past few years. Each year there is some variation in the courses offered depending on student uptake and staffing.
