Year 9 options

Introduction

We are excited about our Key Stage 4 curriculum on offer. We believe it builds on our ethos of high aspiration and the curriculum experience in Key Stage 3, preparing all students for their next steps.

Our curriculum is ambitious, academic, broad, and balanced. Equality of opportunity ensures that all needs are met, providing students with the knowledge, skills, social and cultural capital required to be successful in life. Our curriculum prepares students to be successful in future employment and inspires a lifelong love for learning.

Key stage 4 core curriculum

Students will be studying the following core subjects as part of their Key Stage 4 curriculum:

• English Language (one qualification)
• English Literature (one qualification)
• Maths (one qualification)
• Combined Science (two qualifications)
  Humanities – Geography or History (one qualification)
• Religious Studies (one qualification)

Physical education

Students will follow a broad programme of study where they are expected to take part in a wide variety of activities.

PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education)

All students will have a weekly lesson where a wide range of topics and current issues will be studied. The key strands are relationships, health and well-being, careers and finance and citizenship. Lessons are designed to encourage active participation and debate, with students developing their communication skills, understanding of British values and their ability to evaluate risk. The curriculum will prepare students for adult life as British citizens, in a 21st century, global community.

Option subjects

Students can choose from a variety of subjects and we strongly recommend students choose either French or Spanish. For further information on subjects please read the specific pages in the Options Booklet and view the videos at the bottom of this page from curriculum leaders.

Enrichment

Students will have access to a wide range of clubs and activities every day after school including Saturdays. The Library is available as an independent study space for students before school from 8am and after school until 4pm every day.

Year 9 options timeline for 2025

Tuesday 25 February	Year 9 Parents’ Evening and Options presentation. Discussions about progress in all subjects and suitability for GCSE.
Wednesday 26 February	Options assembly and options booklet given to students.
From Monday 3 March until Friday 4 April	Senior Leadership Team will meet with each student in Y9 to discuss the process and answer any questions.
Monday 7 April to Monday 21 April	Spring Break.
Friday 25 April	Deadline for submitting choices.

Further information

All forms should be handed in to main reception by 4pm on Friday 25 April 2025.

It is not necessary to hand in forms prior to this date and there will be no advantage in doing so in terms of being allocated your first choice. Forms will not be accepted if no reserve choices have been made.

All students will have a meeting with a senior member of staff before Friday 25 April to discuss the process, their choices, and answer any questions.

Please contact us via email or by phone on 020 7288 8900 if you have any questions. 

Key stage 4 curriculum pathways

The Academy offers distinct routes or ‘pathways’ at Key Stage 4. It is important that you think carefully about which pathway is best suited to you. The pathways have been designed to help all students fulfil their potential, achieve the very best results they can, and most importantly enjoy learning.

Our options pathways explained

During the second half of the spring term our Year 9 students will have sat assessments that will help us and you to consider the best pathway for success at GCSE. The assessment data is only one element that we consider when placing students in their pathways; we also review their individual prior knowledge, progress data and feedback from teachers. This is an important milestone in your child’s 7 Year Journey at CoLAHG and we will do everything to support them to make the right choices.

The government’s national ambition for students is that the majority of students achieve the EBacc. This is described on this webpage: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/761031/DfE_EBacc_Leaflet.pdf

The EBacc isn’t in itself a qualification, but a recognition that the students have achieved qualifications in English, maths, science or computer science, history or geography, and a foreign language.

There are three pathways to success:

• Pathway 1: A highly academic pathway. This is for separate scientists (entry assessment dependent) and the EBacc – Nationally ‘top’ 25%.
• Pathway 2: Students who are more capable of a ‘Traditional’ EBacc route through education – enabling future choices. EBacc subjects are: English, Maths, Science, French or Spanish, History or Geography and Computer Science. 
• Pathway 3: Students on this pathway have the opportunity to study vocational courses, recognising different learning styles and are interested in following apprenticeships post-16. Vocational qualifications have been significantly revised and are more rigorous qualifications and there is parity between vocational qualifications and GCSEs. Vocational courses combine examinations and coursework. 

	Slot 1	Slot 2	Slot 3
Pathway 1	History, Geography, French  or Spanish	Free choice (French or Spanish recommended if not chosen in slot 1)	Serparate Science (triple)
Pathway 2	History, Geography, French  or Spanish	Free choice (French or Spanish recommended if not chosen in slot 1)	Free choice
Pathway 3	History, Geography, French  or Spanish	Free choice from below: Sport vocational, Business vocational, Health and Social Care vocational, Art, Music	Free choice from below: Sport vocational, Business vocational, Art, Graphics, Textiles, Music, Media Studies

Core curriculum – compulsory for all students

Your Core Curriculum subjects will be:

• English Language – 1 qualification
• English Literature – 1 qualification
• Maths – 1 qualification
• Combined Science – 2 qualifications
• Religious Studies – 1 qualification (Year 10)

Additionally you will study:

• Core PE
• PSHCE

Pathway 1

Students on this academic pathway will study separate science (triple). To be successful studying separate science you are likely to be already working at Grade 5 or above in science and will need to pass an entry assessment for the course. This takes place at the end of March. Students on this pathway will study at least one of history, geography, French or Spanish however we recommend they choose either geography or history and either French or Spanish. Other subjects available on this pathway are:

Pathway 2

Students on this pathway will study combined science and at least one of history, geography, French or Spanish. However, we recommend they choose either geography or history and either French or Spanish. Other subjects available on this pathway are:

Pathway 3

Extra languages

Do you read, write or speak another language? Whilst we do not teach the languages below, we can enter you for an additional GCSE. These languages below do count as an EBacc qualification. Please indicate this on the form.

Subject videos

We strongly recommend that you watch the short subject videos below about the courses you are considering to choose:

• Art and Design: Fine Art GCSE
• Business (Vocational)
• Combined Science GCSE
• Computer Science GCSE
• Design and Technology: Textiles
• Drama GCSE and Performing Arts (Vocational)
• English Language GCSE and English Literature GCSE
• French GCSE and Spanish GCSE
• Geography GCSE
• History GCSE
• Mathematics GCSE
• Media Studies GCSE
• Music GCSE
• Physical Education GCSE
• PSHCRE 
• Religious Studies GCSE
• Separate Science (Triple) GCSE
• Sociology GCSE
• Sport (Vocational)