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 on for more information...
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 Wednesday 22 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
For those who missed the options evening, the presentation is available to download: Options evening presentation 2025.
Ask questions
The answers to frequently asked questions are given below.
What are the key dates in the process?
- Wednesday 15 January: options assembly.
- Thursday 16 January: options booklet distributed to students, information available at www.silverdale.chorustrust.org/ks4options.
- Monday 20 January: options form distributed to students.
- Wednesday 22 January: options evening in school.
- Thursday 23 January: student guidance interviews commence.
- Wednesday 5 February: deadline for options forms to be handed in to Key Stage 3 Office.
- 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 in 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 Monday 20 January. It is also available to download here:
The completed options form should be completed and returned to the key stage 3 office by Wednesday 5 February 2025.
