Key Stage 4 Course Choices Wilmslow High School Context Balance - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Key Stage 4 Course Choices

Wilmslow High School

• Context
• Balance
• Expectations
• Guidance

A powerful curriculum

• All students are entitled to a powerful curriculum that will allow

you 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 provide you with plenty of

• ptions in the future

Some courses can be picked up again at A Level No one is expected to specialise at 14!

National Expectations

• It is the government’s intent that 75%
• f students will complete the English

Baccalaureate by 2022.

• It is important that our students and

parents are aware of this and take this into consideration when making their choices.

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

In order to ensure that all students study a broad and balanced KS4 curriculum that will keep their future options open we expect them to study:

• English (both Language & Literature) and mathematics
• Combined or Triple Science
• At least one additional English Baccalaureate subject
• Two or three further subjects chosen from the full range of options
• In addition, they will continue to receive PE and Wider Curriculum

lessons.

Guided Choices

Students are choosing qualifications for life, so we will guide each of them carefully through the process:

• 8 or 9 qualifications
• A balanced approach to science (combined or triple science)
• A balanced approach to the rest of Year 9 – it will count.

Guided Choices

• All the courses that we offer will provide our students with valuable

qualifications; all of them will also be challenging. It is important that you don’t make any of the following mistakes: – This course will be ‘fun’ – This course won’t involve much written work – I am not good at time management but I will be fine studying 2- 3 ‘coursework’ subjects

Guided Choices

We use the Course Choices process to design our curriculum, grouping and

• timetable. Any changes

made after this point mean that we cannot guarantee that a student has the

• ptimal timetable;

therefore you need to make the right selection as part of this process

I have not chosen this subject because a friend is doing it I have not chosen this subject based on the teachers I am realistic about what key stage 4 study involves in this subject I am realistic about how good I am at this subject I do not think that I will change my mind about opting for this subject because:

KS4 choices timeline

Date Activity

Monday 14th January – Friday 18th January Launch of KS4 Course Choice process Sequence of assemblies for Year 9 students from each

• House. KS4 Course Choice booklet issued to students.

Monday 21st January – Friday 25th January Year 9 Summative Assessments Thursday 31st January KS4 Course Choices Evening Teachers will be available to discuss whether the courses they offer will suit your child. Students should accompany parents in full school uniform. Tuesday 5th February Aspirations Fair All Year 9 students will have the chance to speak directly to a range of post-16 opportunity providers at this fair. It will take place in school, during the school day. Many local businesses and colleges will be attending. Friday 15th February Assessment Certificate following summative assessments Tuesday 26th February Deadline for submission of Initial Course Choices We will use this information 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 Friday 15th March Final Course Choice form issued to students Friday 22nd March Deadline for return of Final Course Choices form to tutors

Dedicated KS4 Course Choices page:

 www.wilmslowhigh.com  Curriculum  Careers  Course Choices for KS4

How to access the Initial Course Choices Form

• 1. Access Firefly and select Resources 

Students  Key Stage 3 & 4

• 2. Select ‘KS4 Courses
• Initial Choices’

Year 9: KS4 Initial Course Choices

Year 9: KS4 Initial Course Choice form

Wider Curriculum Collapsed Timetable Days

Thursday 11 July ‘Make A Difference’

Friday 12 July ‘Alton Towers’