Key Stage 4 Options
The options process is an important period for our Year 9 students as they start to think about the courses they will study in Year 10 and 11, and their future education and career paths. We offer a range of GCSE and vocational courses (e.g. technical awards) at key stage 4.
Most of the qualifications that we offer are GCSEs, which count as Level 2 qualifications. The assessment is through formal examinations, although some also have an element of 'non-examination assessment' within them (tasks taken in school under controlled conditions). The GCSE grades are 1-9, with 9 being the highest grade. Technical awards, which are also level 2 qualifications, include a strong applied focus, linking learning to particular career paths. They have a greater emphasis on internal assessment, mainly via the completion of portfolios.
We expect our students to study a suite of qualifications called the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – namely GCSEs in maths, English, science, a language and a humanity (either history or geography).
How to choose your options
Year 9 students choose their options by following the steps below:
- Read the options booklet
- Attend the Year 9 options evening
- Ask questions
- Complete and submit the online options form
Read on for more information...
1. Read the options booklet
Year 9 students receive a copy of the options booklet in March, giving them information about the subjects available for study in Years 10 and 11, the options process and where to go for advice.
2. Attend the Year 9 options evening
The options information evening on Wednesday 5 March 2025 gives students and their parents and carers the chance to hear how the options process works, listen to subject talks, talk to teachers and collect their copy of the options brochure for further information.
3. Ask questions
The answers to frequently asked questions are given below.
What are the key dates in the process?
- Wednesday 12 February: Year 9 parents' consultation evening.
- Wednesday 5 March: Year 9 options assembly.
- Wednesday 5 March: Year 9 options information evening.
- Wednesday 5 - Friday 21 March: options interviews for all Year 9 students.
- Monday 24 March: options return deadline.
- Friday 23 May: students and parents/carers informed of options allocations.
What decisions do students need to make?
Everyone studies the core subjects of: English language, English literature, maths and science.
In order to build a full set of subjects for study in Years 10 and 11, the following decisions are needed:
| Step 1 |
Students choose their options by selecting a first and a reserve choice from each of the four option blocks (details to follow).
| Step 2 |
Students confirm which subject they have chosen as part of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) and which option block it is in.
What is the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)?
We encourage all our students to study a suite of qualifications called the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – namely GCSEs in English, maths, the sciences, geography or history and a language.
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 sources of information should students use?
Students are encouraged to:
- Talk to teachers at school and during the Year 9 subject evening.
- Talk to their form tutor.
- Speak with our Careers Advisor.
- Visit the UCAS website for information about possible careers: www.ucas.com/explore/career-list
- Further sources of careers advice are available on the careers guidance page.
- Discuss the options with family and friends.
If students, parents or carers still have queries, please let us know by email at enquiries@eckington.chorustrust.org or telephone on 01246 432849.
4. Submit the options form
The options form should be completed and submitted by Monday 24 March 2025.
