Scalby School
Year 9
Key Stage 4
Course Information
January 2014
Year 9 Courses 2014-2015
Core Provision
The core provision represents those subjects that you are entitled to study and these are
automatically timetabled for you. In Year 9 the core subjects are; Mathematics (4 periods
per week), English (4 periods per week), Science (3 periods per week), PE (2 periods per
week), ICT (1 period per week) and Life (1 period per week).
Ebacc and Altbacc options pathways
Ebacc pathway
The vast majority of Year 9 students will follow the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)
pathway. They follow the most academically challenging curriculum possible in order to
ensure that they leave school with quality qualifications which will prepare them for the
next step, whether it is in employment, further education or training. Students following the
Ebacc pathway will be expected to study French and at least one Humanities subject.
However students also have the opportunity to study creative subjects too. Subjects which
appear in Options Blocks A and B will be studied for 3 hours per week and the subjects in
Options Blocks C and D will be studied for 2 hours per week. This is because some
subjects are recognised to be more difficult than others. Please read the guidance on the
options form carefully so that you select the correct combination of subjects.
Altbacc pathway
A smaller number of students will be invited to follow the Alternative Baccalaureate
(Altbacc) pathway. They will select a subject from each Options Block. Subjects which
appear in the Altbacc Option A and B Blocks will be studied for 3 hours per week and
subjects which appear in Options Blocks C and D will be studied for 2 hours per week.
Making the choices
Please read the descriptions of each subject carefully. If you have any questions about the
subject then please speak to your teacher before making your choice. Ask them about the
topics you will study, what you will be required to do in the exam, what your predicted
GCSE grade in the subject is and what extra work you could do in order to extend and
deepen your learning. You and your parents/carers can find out more information about
each subject at the Options Information Evening.
Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance
(CEIAG)
Mrs Ruth Green, our Careers Advisor, is in school each Tuesday and Friday morning
during term time. Every student is entitled to a face to face Career Guidance interview.
Parents and carers are welcome to join their young person for the Guidance interview
provided that the student is comfortable with this.
Students can ask for an interview and referrals can be made by teaching staff, support
staff and parents.
Guidance interviews typically last around 40 minutes. Shortly after the interview each
student seen will receive a full Career Action Plan with agreed action points to help them
move forward. It is helpful for students to make notes before their session and write down
any questions they may have so that things are not missed. Students can ask for a follow
up appointment if they wish and are often invited along again at a later date if the Careers
Advisor feels it would be beneficial.
Even if you think you know what you want to do later on, or which subjects you intend to
choose, it is a very good idea to come along for a discussion just to make certain that you
have chosen the right subjects and you are aware of all options available to you after year
11. There is rarely only one route to a career and there may be alternatives that you are
not aware of.
It doesn’t matter what school year you are in, it is never too early to begin researching your
options. This is your future, it is important that you make informed choices. A Career
Guidance interview can help you with your next steps.
To make an appointment, please speak with Mrs Scott who will be happy to arrange this
for you.
Option Subject
Information
Core Subject
Information
Year 9 Option Choice Form 2014-2015
Name: ………………………………....................
Mentor Group: 8…………....
It is important to indicate alternative subjects which you would study in case your first
choice course does not run. This can happen if not enough students wish to study a
subject. Please indicate your first and second choice subjects in Options A and B. Then
indicate up to 4 choices for Options C and D.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Preference
1
Preference
2
Preference
3
Preference
4
Student’s Signature: …………………………
Parent’s Signature: ……………………….
Please return the option form to your tutor by Friday 31 January 2014. If you do not
return your form by this date you may not get your first choice Options subjects.
Year 9 Option Choices – January 2014
All courses are GCSE courses unless indicated
Ebacc
Subjects
Choose one of
these subjects
in Opt A and
Opt B unless
you have
been told you
should not.
Altbacc
Subjects
Option A (3 hours)
Choose one subject
Option B (3 hours)
Choose one subject
Option C (2 hours)
Choose one subject
French
History
Geography
Computer Science
French
History
Geography
Computer Science
Art ( 3D Design)
Learning Skills (BTEC)
Catering
Art (3D Design)
Graphics
Learning Skills (BTEC)
PE
Music
Drama
Textiles
Catering
Art (Fine Art)
Triple Science
Business Studies
ICT
History
Resistant Materials
Option D (2 hours)
Choose one
subject
PE
Music
Drama
Textiles
Catering
Art (Fine Art)
Triple Science
Business Studies
ICT
Geography
Only choose
from these
subjects in
Opt A and Opt
B if you have
been told to
do so.
How to choose your subjects
In Options A and Options B Ebacc subjects
If you choose French in Option A you can choose History or Geography in Option B. You
can then choose any subject in Option C and any subject in Option D.
If you would rather choose Computer Science in Option B you must then choose History or
Geography from Option C or D. You then may choose another subject of your choice from
Option C or D
If you choose History or Geography in Option A you must choose French in Option B. You
can then choose any subject in Option C and D.
If you choose Computer Science in Option A you must choose French in Option B and
either History or Geography from Option C or D. You may then choose a subject of your
choice from Option C or D.
In Options A and Options B Altbacc subjects
You will already have been told whether the Altbacc curriculum is appropriate for you.
You can choose one subject from Opt A and Opt B and one subject each of your choice
from Opt C and Opt D. Make sure that you do not select a subject twice.