Key Stage 4 Courses 2024-2026 - Options Information Booklet

Sep 5, 2026

Key Stage 4 Courses 2024-2026 guidance for Year 9 families explains the two-year pathway starting in September, leading to GCSE and potentially other qualifications. It outlines the options process, online completion of the choices form by early February 2024, and how to use the booklet alongside videos and an options area on the website. Core curriculum requirements, subject range, curriculum and learning support, and the role of CLS for students needing extra assistance are covered.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

How to Use the Booklet

The Courses You Can Study

Curriculum & Learning Support

Glossary

Core Subjects

Careers

Option Subjects

Making the Choice

Useful Advice and Information

Choices Form

Key Stage 4 Courses 2024-2026 January 2024 Dear Parent/Carer Year 9 Parents’ Consultation & Options Information Evening Tuesday, 16th January 2024 In September, your son / daughter will start a two-year course leading to GCSE and potentially other qualifications. Over the next few weeks, there are important decisions to be made. On Friday 12th January, Year 9 students will be off timetable for an afternoon centred around Options. Staff will take them through the options process in detail and provide them with an options booklet, giving information about the courses on offer. They will need to complete the final options form online by Monday 5th February 2024. In addition, you are invited to visit the options area on our website where you can watch the Options Evening Session and see short videos about what studying each GCSE subject is like. If you have any questions about the process following this presentation, please email [office@litchamschool.org.uk](office@litchamschool.org.uk) This is a very important time for your child’s future and we hope that you will be able to support them with their choices by watching the videos suggested and making appointments for Parents Evening. Yours sincerely Stuart Wilson Head of School Contents Page No How to Use the Booklet 4 The Courses You Can Study 5 Curriculum & Learning Support 6 Glossary 7 Core Subjects 8 Careers 15 Option Subjects 17 Making the Choice 31 Useful Advice and Information 32 Choices Form 34 How to Use This Booklet This booklet contains much of the information needed to make your choice of subjects. It gives an explanation of terms you need to understand; details about the courses on offer during your last two years at Litcham School and what you have to do to make the choices. With the information provided there are questions for you to consider. These could be used as a basis for discussion between you and your parents. There are clear sections which will guide you to a final decision. The 'Choices Form' must be completed using the online form that can be found here by Monday, 5th February: [https://forms.office.com/e/jcLv1fgqq8](https://forms.office.com/e/jcLv1fgqq8) There is also an outline of the choices at the end of the booklet. Choosing the right courses will help you to be successful in your studies. Success in examinations will improve your chances of starting a good career or continuing your education, post 16. The subjects we hope to offer are as follows: Option Choices • Art • Art Textiles • Child Development • Computer Science • Design Technology o Food Preparation and Nutrition o Design Technology • Drama • Geography • History • Modern Foreign Languages o French o German o Spanish • Music • Physical Education • Religious Studies The Courses You Can Study GCSE-General Certificate of Secondary Education The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academically rigorous, internationally recognised qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students in secondary education over two years or sometimes three years. These examination courses have been through a period of major changes. From September 2019 all subjects embarked on a new specification with a new grading system with numbers replacing the familiar letters as grades. These grades range from 9 to 1 with 9 being the highest and 1 the lowest. This diagram shows how the new grades link to the old grading system. Tiers of entry: some GCSE examinations have tiers of entry (higher or foundation) and these determine the grade ranges available to a candidate. Subjects you must study in Key Stage 4 The subjects shown below are subjects which all upper school students must take. These form the core curriculum and are statutory: • English • Mathematics • Science • Physical Education • Citizenship/Personal, Social & Health Education • Re

FAQs

When do Year 9 students need to complete the final options form?

The choices form must be completed online by Monday 5th February 2024.

What is the purpose of the curriculum and learning support (CLS) department?

CLS supports students who experience difficulties in any of their courses, including help with option choices, examination decisions, additional lessons, homework support, and special arrangements during exams.

Which subjects are mandatory in Key Stage 4?

The core curriculum subjects required include English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Citizenship/Personal, Social & Health Education, Religious Studies, and Statistics.

Sep 5, 2026

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