3rd December 2024 

Dear Year 9 Parent/Carer,

Reference: GCSE Options Information Evening, Wednesday 15th January 

& Parents Evening,  Thursday 6th February, 2025

We trust this letter finds you well. This morning Year 9 students had an assembly on the topic of their GCSE options process. We are now at an important time for your young person as they will begin to consider subject choices for their GCSE studies. We would like to emphasise that this process is a guided process..

To support them through the Options process, all current Year 9 students will benefit from a comprehensive support program, including Assemblies, Tutor sessions, Google classroom resourcing, Subject Recordings, an Options Booklet, targeted one-to-one meetings (Head of Year/Tutor/Inclusion/Pastoral support), and a CareerPilot Session. Additionally, we will run taster sessions for the subjects that will be new to the students.

GCSE Option Information Evening Wednesday 15th January (4:30 - 5:45pm) is an event tailored for you as parents/carers. We will share comprehensive details about the GCSE options, and deliver a presentation that explains the entire GCSE Options process. Following this presentation, there will be an opportunity for questions. While the slides from the event will be accessible on the school website afterward, we very much recommend you attend in person.

Subject Parents’ Evening, Thursday 6th February is an opportunity for both parents and students to engage with their teachers and discuss option choices. Attendance by your child is crucial for active involvement in these discussions, fostering a sense of responsibility for their learning. Appointments will be made as usual using the online booking system, allowing you to select your preferred time slots with teachers. 

The booking system for the evening will open at 7pm on Wednesday 17th January. It can be accessed using this link: https://bccs.schoolcloud.co.uk/  Please be aware that some teachers may request appointments with specific students, and these will be pre-booked by the school. If your allocated appointment is inconvenient, kindly contact info@bristolcathedral.org.uk for assistance in rescheduling.

Given that some teachers oversee multiple Year 9 classes, it may not be feasible to schedule meetings with all teachers. However, you will receive an interim report containing attainment grades and targets for all subjects. Should you be unable to meet with a specific subject teacher, feel free to reach out to them via email (a complete list of staff contacts is available here) for further information.

For those with additional questions regarding appointments, please contact info@bristolcathedral.org.uk as indicated above, and we will direct your questions accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you on the 15th January at 4.30pm, Cresswell theatre.

Yours sincerely,

Ms E Messinger, Deputy Headteacher

Mr E Welch, Head of Year 9

Mr A Nicholls, Assistant Headteacher

Mr P Mann, Careers Lead