Options

KS4 GCSE Options 

Important Dates:                                                                                                        

Year 9 Parents Evening: Thursday 6th March 2025                                                                           

Year 9 Options Evening -Thursday 13th March 2025

Deadline to submit options: Tuesday 1st April 2025

Options Overview:

 Core subjects are compulsory at KS4 (years 10 and 11).

The core subjects you must study and take GCSE exams in are:

·         English Language

·         English Literature

·         Maths

·         Science

·         Religious Studies

PE (Physical Education) and a programme of PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) are also taught throughout years 10 and 11.

Full details of each subject are contained in the brochure (link below), with clear guidance about how to choose optional subjects. 

Options Subjects:

Students in year 9 choose up to 3 options subjects and a reserve subject, depending on which pathway the school has deemed most suitable for students.

Aspire Pathway (academic)

The Aspire pathway is the most academic pathway we offer at Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy. This pathway is best suited to students who aim to complete A-levels and ultimately go to university.

The Aspire Pathway also gives students an opportunity to complete the Ebacc (the English Baccalaureate) which is a key performance indicator that recognises students’ achievements in five academic subjects from the list below.

·         English Language and/or Literature 

·         Mathematics 

·         Science (Including Computer Science) 

·         French (or another language) 

·         History or Geography 

The Achieve Pathway:

This pathway is designed to enable students to select a range of options that are a mixture of both academic and more vocational qualifications. 
Students will be able to still opt for academic subjects that qualify for the Ebacc and go on to pursue A-levels and University courses, but if they prefer, they can select a more varied range.

The vocational qualifications on offer are equivalent to GCSE courses and should not be viewed as easier or less important options. Vocational courses enable students to acquire skills which are related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. They often require a significant amount of coursework, which must be completed to a high standard and in a timely manner to ensure a good final grade. 

The Succeed Pathway:

This pathway is targeted at a specific group of students who will fulfil their potential by accessing a smaller range of subjects.

Students will therefore either follow:

Succeed 1:

This pathway consists of a functional skills course in Maths and English which is designed to not only support their GCSEs in those core subjects, but to also give them the opportunity to attain a qualification that will help them apply for suitable post-16 qualifications after year 11, and two further GCSE options

Succeed 2:

This pathway consists of a functional skills course in Maths and English which is designed to not only support their GCSEs in those core subjects, but to also give them the opportunity to attain a qualification that will help them apply for suitable post-16 qualifications after year 11.

Students will also complete an ASDAN qualification, this qualification is designed to develop a range of skills, including working with others.  There are lots of practical activities and tasks that develop the skills required for adulthood, such as planning, budgeting, communication and conflict resolution.

Students will also be able to choose 1 option subject from the Succeed pathway option choices.

How to make your choices?  

When considering what choices to make in the optional part of the curriculum, students should think about the following questions: 

·         What am I good at? 

·         What do I enjoy? 

·         What are my aspirations and expectations? 

·         Am I making choices for the right reasons? 

·         Have I gathered all of the advice and guidance before making decisions? 

Choosing the right and most appropriate subjects is essential if students are to achieve their full potential and it is vitally important to us that students make informed choices with support and guidance from parents and teachers.

In order to make successful option choices please read through the following suggested timeline.

Step 1: 27^th February onwards

Read through the options booklet and discuss option choices with parents.

Step 2: 6^th March – Parents’ Evening and 13^th of March – Options Evening

Attend the year 9 parents’ evening and the year 9 options evening and discuss possible choices with subject teachers.

Step 3: 25^th or 27^th of March one to one interview in school.

A member of the Senior Leadership Team, Form Tutors or the Head of Year will have a one-to-one meeting with students to discuss option choices. Final choices will be decided and students will complete an options online form in school with the support of school staff.

You will also be asked to select a reserve choice. This will only be used if we cannot offer one of your original choices.

The KS4 Curriculum (fortnightly) 

·         9 periods of English and Combined or Triple Science 

·         8 periods of Maths. 

·         4 periods of Religious Studies. 

·         2 periods of PE. 

·         6 periods of each option subject. 

·         PSHCE (delivered in form time; 30 minutes per week)