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Bishop Thomas Grant School

Key Stage 4

Students at Key Stage 3 study a wide curriculum designed to offer engagement and enrichment as well as providing a solid foundation for later success in public examinations.

Students are taught in two bands for most subjects and there is further setting within each band in Maths, English and Science.  

All students have access to a range of further opportunities such as day trips, school journeys and extra-curricular clubs and societies.

Year 10 Curriculum Booklet 2023 - 2024 please click here.

Year 10 Information 2023 - 2024 please click here.

Year 11 Curriculum Booklet 2023 - 2024 please click here.

Year 11 Information 2023 - 2024 please click here.

All Key Stage 4 students follow a course leading to public examinations [GCSE or BTEC] in a range of subjects, including a minimum core of English, Maths Science and Religious Studies, as well as non-examination courses in PE. PSHE and Citizenship are also taught during drop down days and form periods.

A large majority also study a Modern Foreign Language, and most students take either History or Geography, giving them the complete range of EBAC subjects.

During Year 9 students choose the subjects they will follow in Years 10 and 11. Students follow one of two pathways leading to GCSE and vocational Level 2 qualifications. Maths, English, Science and Religious Studies continue to be set within each of the bands. Optional subjects run across the entire year group and may be completely mixed ability.

 

Year 9 - Option Choices

It is finally time for your child to choose their GCSE options. Most students are excited at the prospect of this, as it is their first real opportunity to take control of their education. It also allows both school and home to talk to students about the courses and careers that they may follow when they leave school.

This webpage has been put together to give you a clear understanding of the range of courses available to you as part of the Key Stage 4 Curriculum at BTG. Our aim is to ensure that all students are put on pathways that will give them the greatest chance of success. Our approach at BTG is to emphasise the opportunity that this gives students to really immerse themselves in subjects that they enjoy; however, it is also important that students do not narrow their focus so much that they limit their options when they leave school. At BTG we believe that all students should study a broad and balanced curriculum. The role of teachers, parents and carers is to help the children to find that balance. This is important as it prepares students for their next step into Sixth form, College or employment. We have high expectations for all of our students and would encourage as many students as possible to study subjects that allow them to achieve the EBacc (English Baccalaureate). This would include choosing at least one of the humanities (History or Geography) and a language. This route is strongly recommended for those students considering applying to a top university. We also offer a range of vocational qualifications that combine coursework and examinations, alongside a number of creative subjects that ensure students can develop their passions

All pupils at BTG should take at least 9 GCSEs from three ‘buckets’

  • English Language or Literature, Maths, Science and RE
  • Humanity and /or Language
  • Open element - all other GCSEs and BTECs
Bucket 1 Bucket 2 Bucket 3
The compulsory subjects Choice within pathway Free Choice

All students:

  •  Religious Studies
  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • Mathematics

 

and either

  • Combined Science (2 GCSEs)

or

  • Triple Science (3 GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry & Physics)

 

Pathway 1 – choose 1 from each
Pathway 2 – choose 1 from either Humanity and Language

 

Humanities

  •  History
  •  Geography

 

Languages

•      French

•      German

•      Spanish

•      Latin

Pathway 1: choose 1 subject from the list below                          
Pathway 2:
choose 2 subjects from the list below                          

 

GCSEs

  •  Art and Design
  •  Art Textiles
  •  Business Studies
  •  Computing
  •  Drama
  •  Geography
  •  History
  •  Latin
  •  Music
  •  Physical Education
  • Classical Civilisation
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish

 

Vocational

  • BTEC Health and Social Care
  • BTEC in Digital IT
  • CNAT in Sport

Top tips:

  • Tip 1: What are you good at?
  • Tip 2: What do you enjoy?
  • Tip 3: Do you have an idea of what you want to do or be in the future?
  • Tip 4: How do you prefer to learn and be assessed?
  • Tip 5: Don’t worry about what your friends are choosing or who the teacher is!

Over the course of the spring term there will be a number of very important assemblies. Subject specialists will deliver these assemblies to ensure that students gain a full understanding of each subject. We are this year unable to provide an opportunity for parents and carers to come into school and talk to their teachers. We have instead created this Year 9 options area of the school website with videos/assemblies from Heads of Departments giving information about their courses. The subject videos can be found below. Each subject assembly will be added to this page once the assembly has been delivered to students. Please take the time to watch the subject assemblies with your son/daughter to help with the decision making process.

Key dates behind the process:

  • December 2023/ January 2024: Subject specific assemblies for option subjects – a chance to hear from the GCSE options about what their subject is like to study and information to help make the right choice.  These are then made available on the website for parents to view with their child and discuss​. 
  • 1st February 2024: Options information evening – an opportunity for parents and students to come and speak directly with subject staff about their subject and visit stalls (Hall and SSR2).  This will be followed by a presentation about the options process and next steps​ (Hall) 
  • Monday 19th February 2024: Deadline for REHEARSAL options form.  Parents/Carers will receive a link via e mail to a Microsoft form which will ask for the 3 options choices , one in each timetable block.  ​ 
  • 15th March 2024: Year 9 spring tracking sent home​ 
  • 21st March 2024: Year 9 parents evening – a chance to speak with teachers for further advice on subject selection and suitability 
  • Friday 19th April 2024: Deadline for FINAL options form​ 
  • July 2024: Letter to be sent home confirming options allocated

Key information:

To access the GCSE Options Information booklet, click here.

To access the subject option presentations, click  here.

To access the New GSCE Sociology (AQA) subject, click here.

To access the options form, see below.

 

  • Option form pathway 1:

https://forms.office.com/e/1

 

 

  • Option form pathway 2:

https://forms.office.com/e/2

 

 

Year 9 Options intro - Parents Information Evening 2024

yr 9 options intro parents information evening 2024a.pdf

 

 

 

For more information, please contact Mrs S Thompson (Deputy Headteacher - Curriculum) or Ms L Waterman (Assistant Headteacher – Options). 

 

 

 

 

 

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