Key Stage 4 Course Choices @Wilmslow High School A powerful - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Key Stage 4 Course Choices

@Wilmslow High School

A powerful curriculum

• All our students are entitled to a powerful curriculum

that will allow them to make educated and independent decisions

• There is a balance between the core knowledge that

we all need to have and the subjects that we specialise in

• This balance is reflected in the Key Stage 4 course

choices process

Getting the balance right

• A balance of choice and continuity
• A balance of subjects that provides students

with plenty of options in the future

• Some courses can be picked up again at A

Level

• No one is expected to specialise at 14!

Getting the balance right

• A balance of 8 or 9 qualifications
• A balanced approach to science
• A balanced approach to the rest of Year 9 – it

will count

What does a “broad and balanced” KS4 curriculum look like?

In order to ensure that students study a broad and balanced KS4 curriculum that will keep their future

• ptions open we expect them to study:
• English (both Language & Literature) and mathematics
• Double or Triple Science
• At least one additional English Baccalaureate subject
• One or two further subjects chosen from the full range
• f options
• In addition, students will continue to receive PE and

Wider Curriculum lessons.

Our advice to students

You should choose courses that:

• You think you can do well in, and that you find interesting and challenging.
• Provide you with a broad and balanced programme of study providing plenty of options in

the future.

• May be useful in your future university, training and career decisions.

You should not choose a course:

• Because your friend is doing it.
• Because you like, or dislike, the teachers. We cannot say who your teachers will be at this

stage.

• Because it is new.
• Because you think it will be easy. Remember that all GCSEs are designed to be challenging.

Or because you think you can drop it if you don’t like it!

Dedicated KS4 Course Choices page:

 www.wilmslowhigh.com  Curriculum  Key Stage 3  Course Choices for KS4

Monday 16th January - Friday 20th January 2017 Launch of KS4 Course Choice process: Sequence of assemblies for Year 9 students from each House. KS4 Course Choice booklet issued to students. Thursday 2nd February 2017 6.00 - 8.00pm KS4 Course Choices Evening: Market place format in various locations around school:  All Curriculum Teams offering courses in course choice columns  Careers advice drop-in opportunity Staff will be available to discuss whether the courses they offer will suit your

• child. Students should accompany parents in full school uniform.

Thursday 16th February 2017 Year 9 Parents' Evening: Opportunity to discuss progress in those subjects presently studied and gain further advice regarding which courses to study in Years 10 and 11. Friday 17th February 2017 Deadline for submission of Initial Course Choices: We will use the information submitted through Firefly to:  provide additional advice and guidance to students regarding the suitability of their initial course choices;  determine whether there should be any change to course availability Monday 13th March 2017 Final Course Choice form issued to students during this week Friday 24th March 2017 Deadline for return of Final Course Choices form to tutors Summer term Confirmation of Course Choice letter issued to students

Key Stage 4 Course Choices Timeline

How to access the Initial Course Choices Form

• 1. Student logs into Firefly and selects

Resources  Students  Key Stage 3 & 4

• 2. Select ‘Year9: Initial

Course Choices’

Year 9: KS4 Initial Course Choice form screenshot