Dear Student

Preparing for Success at Key Stage 4

This is an exciting time for you. You are at the point in your school career when you can begin to make choices about the next stage of your education as you prepare to start Key Stage 4 courses in Year 10 this September. These courses offer the chance to study new subjects and experience new ways of learning, as well as extending your learning in subjects you already study. It is important to get these choices right as they will help to shape your future and your success will determine your next steps after Key Stage 4. It is important to remember, however, that the right choice is different for each student – working with your Tutor and Head of Key Stage and with the advice of your family, you will be making the right choices for you over the coming weeks.

At Riddlesdown, we believe in a rich, broad and balanced curriculum. At Key Stage 4, the curriculum is divided into two parts: the Core Curriculum (courses that all students must follow) and the Options (courses that students can choose depending on their aptitude and interests). We are committed to delivering a curriculum which enables all of our students to develop their talents and make outstanding progress. To achieve this, we have developed a curriculum at Key Stage 4 which offers students the opportunity to study a wider range of subjects, with fewer restrictions, than in most other schools. We offer two types of qualifications: GCSEs, which everyone will study, and a small number of vocational qualifications, which might be suitable options for some students.

GCSEs are General Certificates in Secondary Education – they are considered general qualifications and are the most common type of course that students follow at Key Stage 4. Students with strong GCSE passes will usually go on to study A Levels and then have the opportunity to obtain a degree from a university or other Higher Education institution. The main characteristic of GCSEs is that they are assessed by exams at the end of the course. GCSEs are graded 9-1, where Grade 4 is described as a standard pass and Grade 5 is described as a strong pass.

Vocational qualifications are more directly linked to a specific job or area of employment and are ideally suited to learners with a preference for practical learning, in addition to theoretical learning. They focus on the practical abilities you need to get a job in that sector. Vocational qualifications are assessed through a combination of externally assessed examinations and internally assessed units. The internal units may be assessed through a controlled assessment or through a practical assessment. Vocational qualifications are graded pass, merit or distinction.

In September 2026, you will begin your Key Stage 4 courses. Courses will be completed over two years and examined in the summer of 2028, except for GCSE Religious Education which will be completed during Year 10 and examined in the summer of 2027. The time then gained in Year 11 from having completed the course in Year 10 will be used to support your other options and English and Mathematics.

For core subjects, Colleges will work in pairs. This will allow us to group students across 6 teaching groups, ensuring that students with very similar levels of current attainment are grouped together. Option subjects will have students from across all Colleges and will not necessarily be set according to prior attainment. 

This website contains a lot of the information that you will need to consider through the options process, but it will also be necessary for you to listen carefully to the information and advice that you are given and to speak with your teachers and family so that you can be sure that the choices you make will be the best ones to support your success and your future. Ask as many questions as you like and make sure that you are active in this process – remember, they are your choices!

Good luck!

Mr D Osborne

Principal