Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2025-2027 - Making the right choices for me

Sep 5, 2026

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Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2025–2027 provides guidance for Year 9 students on selecting the right KS4 courses for Years 10 and 11, emphasizing that choices affect GCSE outcomes, access to university, and future employment opportunities. It outlines a decision process covering attending Options Evening, reviewing course content and progression paths, asking informed questions, and completing the Options Form for interviews. The booklet also explains why not to choose certain subjects and introduces option subject information across compulsory and elective courses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome to Students

Steps to Successful Choices

Frequently Asked Questions

Option Blocks

Subject Information - Compulsory subjects

Subject Information - Option subjects

Key Stage 4 Options Booklet 2025-2027 ‘Making the right choices for me’ Key dates: Thursday 30th January-Options Evening (5 .00-7.00pm) w/c 24th February-One-to-One interviews CONTENTS Welcome to Students 2 Steps to Successful Choices 3 Frequently Asked Questions 4 Option Blocks 5 Subject Information-Compulsory subjects 6 English Language 7 English Literature 8 English Functional Skills 9 Mathematics 10 Maths Functional Skills 11 Combined Science 12 Separate Sciences 13 Subject Information-Option subjects 14 Art and Design 15 Business Studies 16 Drama 17 English as a Second Language ( ESL) 18 English as an Additional Language ( EAL) 19 Food Preparation and Nutrition 20 Graphics 22 History 23 Information Technology 24 Computer Science 25 Media 26 Music 27 Modern Foreign Languages 28 BTEC Performing Arts ( Dance) 29 Personal Development and Employability Skills Qualification 30 Physical Education 31 Religious Studies 32 Sociology 33 Study Support 34 Welcome to Students Dear Year 9 Student, Welcome to the Year 9 Options Booklet. You are now embarking on one of the most important decisions of your educational career. Making sure you pick the Key Stage 4 courses that are right for you will make a big difference to the next two years and beyond. Getting it right will help you to finish Year 11 with a great set of GCSE results; getting it wrong will put that at risk. It may affect whether or not you are able to attend university. It might also mean the difference between securing the future job of your dreams or having to settle for something less than you want. So, it is important, and you should treat it as such. This booklet sets out the decision-making process and provides you with some of the advice you will need in order to get it right. Speaking to your parents, your teachers and your form tutor will also be important. These people know you best of all and can give you advice based on this. Also, there is no substitute for doing your own research. Please gather as much support as you can over the next few months to help you decide. Once your choices have been made and agreed upon, it will be very difficult to change them. You will be working on the KS4 courses you choose throughout Year 10 and 11 (starting in September 2025) . Key Stage 4 has always been demanding, however, the ‘strengthened’ GCSEs that the government have introduced, are even more challenging. This means you must now be even more confident that you like the subjects you have chosen, and that you know you can dowell in them. If either of these is not true, you will find life at Preston Manor over the next two years more difficult. I am very proud of every subject area and every teacher here at Preston Manor, and have great confidence in our staff. I know whichever courses you choose to do, you will receive the highest quality teaching and opportunities that rival any in other schools nationally. You will be supported at every stage by your Form Tutor, Director of Student Development (DSD) and all staff. However, you also need to know that being successful at Key Stage 4 demands maturity, and that maturity begins now by making sure you choose your courses wisely. I very much look forward to supporting you with this process and the next exciting chapter in your life at Preston Manor. Warm regards, Mr D Tully Deputy Headteacher Steps to Successful Choices You will be able to choose from a wide range of courses and qualifications. You will need to choose your courses wisely depending on your interests, strengths and your aspirations beyond Year 11. STEP 1 Attend Options Evening on Thursday 30th January at 5.00pm. Ensure that the courses you choose are: ● Subjects you are interested in and those that fit with your future plans. ● Subjects you enjoy and will keep your attention for two years. ● Subjects you are being successful in (if you are studying them

FAQs

Once I make my selection, am I guaranteed my option choices?

No. The school will try to get your first-choice subjects, but it may not be possible if not enough students choose a subject. In that case, your reserve choice will be selected.

What steps should I follow to make successful KS4 course choices?

Attend Options Evening, read about different courses and match them to your interests and progression plans, speak to teachers and older students, then complete the Options Form and bring it to your Options Interview.

What reasons should I not use when choosing a subject?

Do not choose because you like a teacher, because your friends are taking it, because you think the subject is easier, or because a family member studied it. All subjects are equally challenging.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Liam