Year 9 Options Sep 2024

Welcome to Key Stage 4 Options 2024.

We believe very strongly that one of the core purposes of secondary school is to equip all students with the highest standards of literacy and numeracy, which are developed throughout the curriculum. These key skills enable Kingdown students to successfully progress at the age of 16 to Sixth Form study, to a vocational course at another provider, or into an apprenticeship or job with training. Therefore, the Key Stage 4 curriculum at Kingdown School is designed to provide a rigorous academic core for all students, alongside a range of curriculum options which enable students to specialise in the subjects they enjoy the most.

The transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 is one of the most important steps in a student’s school career. At the end of Year 11 students will obtain results measured against national standards that will determine their future pathway. The curriculum they follow and the subjects they choose are therefore vital in ensuring that they are as successful as they can be. At Kingdown School, we have a varied and broad curriculum model that meets the needs of learners of all abilities.

Subjects everybody studies at GCSE

Regardless of the choices you make, every student at GCSE will continue to study the three core subjects of English, Maths and Science. You may choose to augment your core lessons with options such as Statistics or Further Maths or Separate Sciences. Across Year 10 & 11, students also receive one lesson of PSHE, along with four lessons of PE. 

These subjects will be studied for 60% of a student’s timetable. More information on the content of these subjects can be found in the individual subject sections. It is absolutely essential that students achieve the best possible grade in English and Maths; as students who do not achieve a grade 4 or higher at the end of Year 11 will have to re-sit the qualification in Year 12.

The remaining time of a student’s timetable will be spent on option subjects. Students will choose a variety of subjects depending on their interests. These may be traditional GCSE subjects, vocational subjects or a combination of the two. Students will be encouraged to choose courses that are appropriate to their individual abilities, aptitudes and career plans. More information on each individual subject is available in the subject section.

Useful Resources

• Options Form - in case you lose your own, please see below for a downloadable replacement
• Subject Information Directory - please see list of all subjects below (2024 'Subject'.pdf)

Further Questions?

Should you have any questions, please contact Mr Holman (hn@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk)