The Key Stage 4 curriculum is designed to build on the learning experiences that children had in Key Stage 3 and give our students maximum choice to allow them to specialise in those subjects thy enjoy and in which they excel.

There is a core curriculum of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science and PE.  Students then have three option choices to ensure they maintain a broad and balanced curriculum and they study the subjects they are most interested in, and are therefore most likely to be successful in.

We introduce curriculum pathways at Key Stage 4 to support and guide students, ensuring they have access to the right courses to ensure they can progress into their next stage of learning in employment, training or at a Post-16 educational provision.

All students have the option to study a Modern Foreign Language and either Geography or History, allowing them to meet the demands of the English Baccalaureate if that is the best progression route for them.

To ensure sufficient stretch and challenge for our most able students a high number will follow a Triple Science programme; these students are carefully selected by staff based on previous assessment grades.

Many students go on from Key Stage 4 to study A-Levels at college, start an Apprenticeship or begin employment coupled with training.  Whatever our students decide to do, the choices they make now are very important.

There is not enough time in the curriculum to enable students to continue studying all of their Year 8 subjects to GCSE level therefore, they must opt and reduce the number of subjects studied.

This is a performance measure for schools that reports on how many students have achieved a good pass in five specific subject areas.  Those subjects are as follows:  

• English  

• Maths  

• Two Sciences 

• History or Geography  

• A foreign language (French or German at Baysgarth)

Although many schools do, we do not enforce this Pathway for any student.   We encourage students to study a language and one of the Humanities, but this is not a requirement. 

Absolutely not.  We value all subjects as highly as each other and are particularly proud of our high achieving practical subjects.  Students are strongly recommended to use their free choice Options to pursue their passions and the subjects they are most interested in.  The compulsory subjects and core Options ensure students have a solid foundation for further study so they should not be afraid to choose a combination to reflect their own interests.  As part of our commitment to strong CEIAG (Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) at Baysgarth, we will ensure that Learning Managers, SENCO, our Employability Mentor and the Senior Leadership Team work with students to guide them towards the right choices, whilst ensuring they are pursuing their ambitions. 

Despite our best efforts, we cannot offer an infinite combinations of subjects.  Sometimes, students’ Option choices will clash and we will have to ask them to study their reserve instead.  Furthermore, if there are insufficient numbers of students selecting the course, it may not be financially viable to run it.  With this thought in mind, we advise students to put as much thought into their reserve choice as they do into their first preferences.

All subjects for the first term in Year 9 will not be teaching GCSE content.  Two hours will be allocated to this programme each week. English, Maths and Science can continue delivering national curriculum content or look at non GCSE content that will enrich the experience of learners.

For Option subjects, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring subjects to life and showcase what makes each subject so fantastic, how it is relevant in the real world and the potential careers that it can support.  Key Stage 4 content does not always reflect the most current, innovative thinking within an area and this is an opportunity for students to experience the best of each subject, this could include the best people, best ideas, best businesses, best work or anything you think will ignite a student’s interest in the subject.

Careers will form an integral part of the new curriculum, with learners exploring the employment opportunities available as a result of gaining a qualification in a subject.  This may involve case studies, guest speakers, business visits or work experience placements.

Studying Statistics alongside Maths offers a few benefits to students:

• Students will be awarded with two GCSEs at the end of Year 11 

• Statistics is a complimentary GCSE and supports in other areas, such as Science, Business and Geography

• Around 25% of the Statistics content is already taught within the Maths curriculum, so this sits well together 

Students will all have received high quality guidance and input as part of CEIAG with the aim of reducing anxiety or questioning choices.  If students change their mind about any of their Option choices, they should see Mr Cuthbert. 

Any student that has followed a bespoke curriculum at Baysgarth will continue to do so during Key Stage 4.  We tailor our curriculum to the needs of our students and will speak directly with the students and families that this affects.  Our SENCO and the Personalised Learning team will be on hand throughout the process to offer support. 

Students should do as much research and take as much advice as they can.  We have a full-time Employability Mentor at Baysgarth who can offer support and advice to students, along with an external service provided by North Lincolnshire Council.  Students can request a meeting with Miss Osgar at any time. 

They do not need to worry about this! Our Options process ensures a solid foundation for further study so we recommend that students focus on choosing the subjects they enjoy and do well at, as that should ultimately lead to success. We would also suggest students book an appointment with Miss Osgar, who will be able to offer impartial next steps and career advice and guidance.