A Guide to Courses in Key Stage 4 (Year 11) - Contact Details and Important Dates

Sep 5, 2026

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This guide for Cathays High School explains course choices in Key Stage 4 for Year 11, outlining the learning framework, core subjects, and assessment structures. It provides school contact details, key staff roles, and essential channels for updating student information. The document also lists important examination dates and parents’ events, then answers common questions about GCSEs, the Welsh Baccalaureate, Essential Skills Wales, controlled assessments, and tiers of entry.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

School Contact Details

Your Contact Details and Important Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Stage 4 and course subjects

Welsh Baccalaureate and Essential Skills Wales

GCSEs, controlled assessments, and tiers of entry

Ysgol Uwchradd Cathays High School A Guide to Courses in Key Stage 4 (Year 11) Contact Details School Contact Details | School Address | Cathays High School
Crown Way
Cardiff
CF14 3XG | | --- | --- | | School Telephone Number | 02920 544 400 | | School e-mail | [schooladmin@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk](schooladmin@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk) | | School website | [www.cathays.cardiff.sch.uk](www.cathays.cardiff.sch.uk) | | Head of Year 11 | Mrs C Roberts
[CRoberts@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk](CRoberts@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk) | | Head of Year 10 | Mr P Williams
[Philwilliams@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk](Philwilliams@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk) | | Head of School (Pupil Conduct) | Mr H Picken
[HPicken@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk](HPicken@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk) | | Examinations Officer | Ms F Jackson
[exams@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk](exams@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk) | | Careers Wales Advisor | Mrs Cath Elmer
[cath.elmer@careerswales.com](cath.elmer@careerswales.com) | Your Contact Details To make sure that you are kept up to date with school events through text messages, letters and phone calls and can be contacted swiftly in an emergency, please ensure that the school has the correct contact details for you, including mobile phone numbers. Please contact Mrs S Fergusson on [SFergusson@.cardiff.gov.uk](SFergusson@.cardiff.gov.uk to)[ to](SFergusson@.cardiff.gov.uk to) update your contact details. Important Dates | Date | Examination | Year Group | | --- | --- | --- | | January 6th | English Literature | Year 11 re-sits | | January 7th | Biology | Year 11 Triple Science Group | | January 8th | English Language | Year 11 | | January 12th | Chemistry | Year 11 Triple Science Group | | January 14th | Physics | Year 11 Triple Science Group | | January 14th | Year 11 Parents’ Evening and Sixth Form Open Evening | | --- | --- | Frequently Asked Questions What is Key Stage 4 and what do pupils study? Key Stage 4 comprises of Years 10 and 11, when pupils study mainly GCSE or BTEC courses. Pupils have to study English, Maths, Science, Religious Studies, Welsh, Physical Education and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Pupils do not take examinations in Physical Education (unless they have chosen to study Sports at GCSE or BTEC) or the Welsh Baccalaureate. What is the Welsh Baccalaureate? Studying the Welsh Baccalaureate is compulsory for all Key Stage 4 pupils. In Wales, pupils have to study what is known as ‘the Learning Core’ and at Cathays we do this through taking the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification, which covers all elements of the Learning Core. | Element | How we cover this at Cathays | Work involved for pupils | | --- | --- | --- | | Essential Skills Wales in Application of Number | Project work in Maths lessons | Completion of Holiday Hunter project | | Essential Skills Wales in ICT | Project work in Maths lessons | Completion of Holiday Hunter project | | Essential Skills Wales in Communication | Project work in English lessons | Completion of ESW Communication portfolio | | Key Skill in Problem Solving | Project work in Science lessons | Completion of Problem Solving booklet | | Wales, Europe and the World (WEW) | Welsh Baccalaureate lessons | Completion of diary | | Work-related Education | Work experience placement in Year 10 | Attendance at placement and completion of diary | | Personal and Social Education (PSE) | Welsh Baccalaureate lessons | Completion of diary | | Community Participation | Completion of 15 hours of voluntary community work within school or outside of school | Completion of diary and authentication of hours completed | | Individual Investigation | Assessed project work in Welsh Baccalaureate lessons | Completion of project in lessons and at home | Pupils gain a certificate for passing the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification and additional certificates for the three Essential Skills Wales and the Key Skill. What is a GCSE? A GCSE is a General Certificate of Secondary Education. Pupils are awa

FAQs

What do pupils study in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)?

Key Stage 4 covers Years 10 and 11, when pupils mainly study GCSE or BTEC courses. Pupils study English, Maths, Science, Religious Studies, Welsh, Physical Education, and the Welsh Baccalaureate.

What is the Welsh Baccalaureate and how does Cathays cover it?

Studying the Welsh Baccalaureate is compulsory for all Key Stage 4 pupils. Cathays covers the Learning Core through the Welsh Baccalaureate, including Essential Skills Wales, the Key Skill in Problem Solving, WEW, work-related education, PSE, community participation, and the individual investigation.

What are controlled assessments (CATs) and are they required in all subjects?

Controlled Assessments count towards final GCSE grades and are completed in school under examination conditions. Pupils still need to prepare and revise at home, and CATs are not a requirement in all subjects.

Sep 5, 2026

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