What you need to think about

We aim to offer the widest degree of choice to meet individuals' needs and interests. We must meet other important needs, too, of course. these are just as important to your son or daughter's education as the degree of choice they have, and include:

1. The need to satisfy the legal requirements of the National Curriculum.

2. The importance of all pupils keeping future options open by following, at this stage, a broad and balanced curriculum.

3. The practicalities of ensuring all courses can be adequately staffed and equipped.

There are, therefore, some subjects which every pupil will study. These are the National Curriculum "Core" Subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, together with a lesson each of Games, PSHE and Religious Education. Parents may choose to take their child out of sex education or RE.

All pupils sit GCSEs that are graded 9-1 or Cambridge Nationals grades Pass - Distinction*, or a combination of the two.

You need to remember, too, that the following points apply to all the courses followed in Key Stage 4:

1. Our expectations of you are very high - we expect all pupils to work hard from the very beginning of the course until its end.

2. Homework with be an important and normal requirement - you cannot cover all the necessary work without it.

3. Your personal organisation must be of the highest standard - attendance and punctuality, completing work fully and on time, ensuring all necessary equipment is with you when needed - all influence your final results.

All courses lead to public examinations, whether it be GCSE or Cambridge National courses. Your results will greatly affect your future educational, training and career opportunities. You should choose COMBINATIONS of subjects which keep your future options as wide as possible.

In Key Stage 4 you will spend about twice as long each week studying each subject as you do now.  Each subject will be deeper, more specialised and more demanding than in Years 7 and 8.

You have an opportunity now to select subjects in which you are the strongest and which you enjoy most. Can you say which will be most suitable for you?