Year 9 GCSE Options

As your child approaches the end of Key Stage 3 we are beginning to increase our focus on how to choose the best subjects for GCSE.  English, Maths and Science GCSE are taken as standard in all schools across the country but your child will have a number of decisions to make about which additional subjects they would like to study through Years 10 and 11, including taking on subjects which are not currently delivered to Years 7 to 9.  All pupils will continue to receive lessons in PE and Values.

In order to support this process your child will be provided a series of taster sessions allowing them to experience possible new subjects in the new year (such as Construction, Animal Care and Media) and to understand the changes in focus for subjects that are currently taught and could be chosen for Key Stage 4 (such as Music, Geography, Art).

Assessments will be carried out in all current subjects, with the results and personal progress symbols being sent home in the year 9 reports ahead of Parents Evening on Thursday 26 February and Options Evening on Thursday 12 March.

To help you and your child select the right options, the Westlands and Wyvern Pathway Options Booklets, with information about all possible subject choices, will be emailed out in Term 3.  We hope that you will be able to use this alongside your child’s report in order to carefully consider the options available.  While all students will study English, Maths and Science, the choices to be made involve choosing Geography or History and then 2 further options.  The final deadline for your child's preferences will be in Term 4, after the Parents' and Options Evenings.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact Miss Rivers (kate.rivers@swale.at) or Mr Wade (henry.wade@swale.at).