Key Stage 4 Options
Year 9 students choose their options by following the steps below:
- Read the Options Booklet.
- Attend the Options Evening.
- Ask questions.
- Complete and submit the Options Form.
Read the Options Booklet
Year 9 students will receive a copy of the Options Booklet, giving them information about the subjects available for study in Years 10 and 11, the options process and where to go for advice.
This booklet can also be read here and downloaded below:
Attend the Options Evening
The options evening takes place at school on Tuesday 20 January, 5 - 7pm. Timings for the evening are as follows:
- 5.00pm: Options process presentation in the Main Hall (forms S, L and V).
- 5.00pm: School open to explore.
- 5.45pm: Options process presentation in the Main Hall (forms E, R and D).
- 7.00pm: School closes
Ask questions
The answers to frequently asked questions are given below.
What are the key dates in the process?
- Wednesday 14 January: options assembly.
- Thursday 15 January: options booklet and form distributed to students and available on this page
- Tuesday 20 January: options evening in school
- Wednesday 21 January onwards: student guidance interviews commence.
- Wednesday 4 February: deadline for options forms to be handed in
- June/July: students notified of options decisions.
- September: students start their key stage 4 courses.
What is the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)?
Students may wish to study a suite of qualifications called the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – namely GCSEs in maths, English, science, (computer science counts as one of the science subjects), a language and a humanity (either history or geography). Students entered for a GCSE language must take either history or geography or both, in order to achieve the EBacc.
By studying the EBacc suite of qualifications, our students have a wide range of options available to them at both post-16 and degree level.
What careers information is available for students?
Students can:
- Visit the Careers Library / Library.
- Use Unifrog (an award-winning online careers platform). Log-on details have been sent to Year 9 students via their school email address.
- Speak with subject staff and their form tutor.
- Visit the following websites:
- UCAS (for information on possible careers): www.ucas.com/explore/career-list
- Informed Choices (for information on university options): www.informedchoices.ac.uk
If you still have queries, please let us know by completing the online form.
Submit the Options Form
The hard copy options form will be handed to all Year 9 students on Thursday 15 January.
The completed options form should be completed and returned to the key stage 3 office by Wednesday 4 February 2026.
