KS4 Curriculum
Key Stage Four (Years 10 and 11)
Students follow GCSE or Vocational qualifications at Key Stage Four. We use a model to help students’ select their GCSE options - helping to ensure that each student is afforded the opportunity for success and progression into post-16 education.
Core Subjects
All students study a common core set of subjects with some variation in the specific qualifications studied. The following table lists the specific courses and allocated teaching periods for each one, over a fortnightly period.
|
Subject |
Course/Qualification |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature |
9 | 9 |
| Mathematics | GCSE Mathematics | 9 | 9 |
| Science | GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) GCSE Biology GCSE Chemistry GCSE Physics |
10 | 10 |
Physical Education
Similarly, all students are required to take two lessons of PE each week, to meet our statutory requirements for promoting health and wellbeing.
Option Subjects
Students will be able to select from a range of option subjects, including Ebacc subjects.
|
Subject |
Course/Qualification |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Humanities |
GCSE Business Studies GCSE Geography GCSE History GCSE Religious Education |
5 |
5 |
|
Modern Foreign Languages |
GCSE French GCSE Spanish GCSE German |
5 |
5 |
|
Computing |
GCSE Computer Science |
5 |
5 |
| Creative Arts and Media | GCSE Art GCSE Digital Art GCSE Dance GCSE Drama GCSE Media Studies GCSE Music |
5 |
5 |
|
Physical Education and Health |
Cambridge National Certificate in Sport Science (Level 1/2) |
5 |
5 |
|
Technology and Engineering |
GCSE Design and Technology Cambridge National Certificate in Engineering (Level 1/2) GCSE Food Technology Level 1/2 Vocational Certificate: Hospitality & Catering |
5 |
5 |
| Hair and Beauty | Level 1 Vocational Certificate: Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector | 5 | 5 |
Literacy and Numeracy
Both literacy and numeracy are embedded within all subjects. Some students receive additional provision from the Learning Support department or through 1-2-1 intervention.
Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education
Throughout KS3 and KS4 the PSHCE curriculum is delivered during tutor time and through drop-down mornings to ensure that key aspects are delivered effectively. These include: Sex and Relationships Education, Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Education, Employability/Careers and Citizenship Education.
Key Stage 4 Options
The GCSE Options Process
The video above will go through the options process and how to select your options. There is also careers advice information from our Careers Leader, Mrs Vinten, along with a brief outline of courses for subjects that students have not had a chance to do at KS3.
Ready to choose?
To choose your options, visit T.O.O.L.S: https://options.chalfonts.net
You will need your unique login details, which will be given to you in March. Deadline for choosing: Friday 28th March
GCSE Options Prospectus
This booklet provides detailed information and guidance about the curriculum and can be found on our School Prospectuses page. Students and parents should read through this carefully before making their choices.
Year 9 Parent Information Evening - 14th January 2025
The Year 9 Information Evening will give you a chance to come into school and this will provide you with all the information you need. You will also hear from staff about the GCSE options process and ask questions you may have.
Parents Evening – 6th February 2025
The Year 9 Parents Evening will give you the opportunity to speak to your child’s teachers about their potential subject choice. You will receive your child’s report to help you with what subject choices would be wise to maximise their chances of getting the best set of GCSE results.
One-to-One Meetings
Following the assemblies, students will be asked to complete a Google form to indicate whether they require a one-to-one meeting. One to one meeting could be with our careers advisor, a counsellor, a subject leader, the Learning support team or with a member of the senior leadership team.
Careers Advice
We are extremely lucky to have a qualified career advisor (Mrs Vinten) in school who runs our one-stop shop careers advice in-house. Mr Vinten will also be delivering assemblies, conducting one-to-one interviews, offering careers advice and so on which will provide students with another forum to discuss their future. If your child has questions regarding careers, it is imperative they utilise Mrs Vinten (based in the LRC) to help guide their subject choices.
Unifrog & Options
All Year 9 students have a personal login to Unifrog. This is an online careers platform that has a wealth of subject & careers information. Students have had sessions in school regarding how to navigate the ‘Subject Library’, which is helpful when making their decisions. You can access Unifrog using this link: https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in
GCSE Curriculum
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight that all students will follow a core curriculum of English Language and English Literature, mathematics, science, PE and Personal Development (inc. PSHE & RE). The majority of students will continue to study history or geography, and many students will choose a modern foreign language to meet the criteria for the English Baccalaureate.