Students in Year 9 are now entering a vital phase of their education when they will be making choices about what to study for the next two years. The choices they make will be amongst the most important decisions in their school career and will have an impact on the rest of their life. Subjects they choose to study may well lead to an A Level, university degree, career or lifelong passion.
There are some subjects that students must continue to study but there is not enough time to continue with all the subjects from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4. Therefore, they will have to make some decisions about what they want to continue studying.
When making these decisions they need to find a balance between which subjects they enjoy, which will allow them to achieve highly in, and which will provide the requirements to progress towards both further study and career aspirations.
It’s important that students do not make the mistake of choosing a subject because their friends are choosing it or just because they like a specific teacher. They should use the results of their Unifrog careers questionnaires and the Options booklet to make an informed decision that is best for them so that they can be the best they can be.
Please click the below link to access the Options Booklet for 2023.
| Date | Event | Key information |
| Mon 27th Feb – Fri 17th March | Year 9-10 options assemblies and form time activities for students | Students will be briefed about their option choices and curriculum for Years 10 and 11 over 2 days of assemblies and various form time activities. |
| Wednesday 1st March
Wednesday 8th March (Dining Hall) |
Year 9A parents’ evening
Year 9B parents’ evening
|
A chance to discuss current progress with subject teachers before making final decisions about option choices. A letter regarding the appointment booking process has been sent. |
| Wednesday 22nd March
(Main Hall) |
Year 9-10 Options’ Evening | A main presentation in the school hall followed by subject stalls for students and parent/carers to ask questions and gather information to support them in the options process. |
| Friday 31st March | Option choices deadline | The deadline for all option choices to be made via Applicaa+ with a link to be sent to you following options evening. |
What is the process for picking options?
Students have already begun this process by showing effort in all their lessons, which has given them an idea of which subjects they enjoy and will excel at. Their report data and feedback from teachers at parents evening will also help with this alongside their given pathway. However, there are some specific things that students need to do in the next few weeks to ensure they pick the correct options.
STEP 1 – UNIFROG
Complete the Unifrog questionnaires. This has generated an independent profile report, which highlights different areas of interest to them, such as caring for others, working in a scientific or mathematical environment, and jobs which require physical activity. All year 9 students can access their results via Unifrog. If there are any questions, then contact Mrs McAllister or the Year 9 Director of Learning Miss Horsburgh who will be able to provide support.
STEP 2 – ATTEND THE OPTIONS ASSEMBLIES
Students will have assemblies in March that will explain this process and provide them with advice and guidance. They must attend this assembly as it will confirm the specific dates and times for the next steps.
STEP 3 – ATTEND A TASTER SESSION
If students are interested in studying a brand-new subject such as Child Development, Photography or Health and Social Care, they have the opportunity to sign up to a taster lesson to see what it is like before making a decision. Students can sign up via their tutor.
STEP 4 – REPORT AND PARENTS EVENING
It is very important that students study their academic achievement report to compare their preferences, attainment and attitude to learning in different subjects. This will give them a good indication of their suitability to take the subject at GCSE level.
Students and parents/carers should attend parents evening to discuss their report with subject teachers and ask them any questions regarding taking the subject at Key Stage 4.
Students may want to ask them questions such as: Am I suited to study this subject at GCSE? How is studying this course at GCSE different to studying it at KS3? What would I need to do to get a grade 7+ or Distinction in this course? How is the course assessed?
STEP 5 – OPTIONS EVENING
A main presentation in the school hall on 22nd March followed by subject stalls for students and parent/carers to ask questions and gather information to support them in the options process.
STEP 6 – CHOOSE THE COURSES YOU WANT TO STUDY
It is then time to choose the courses they want to study based on their given pathway: https://workingtonacademy.org/parents/gcseoptions/
TIPS WHEN CHOOSING THE COURSES
- Talk to their subject teachers
- Talk to their tutor
- Discuss choices with parents/carers at home
- Talk to older students about their experiences
- Talk to their year group team
- Think about the careers guidance and advice they have received
AND REMEMBER:
- Always choose courses that they enjoy and feel they can do well in.
- Never choose a course because their friends are doing it. This is theirchoice about theireducation for the next two years.
- Do not select or reject a course because of a particular teacher. It will not be known who will be teaching that subject next year.
STEP 7 – CHOOSE PREFERRED COURSES
We will do our best to ensure that students are given their preferred courses based on their pathway, but this cannot always be guaranteed. We also may not be able to offer all the options if there are not enough students who choose that option.
STEP 8 – COMPLETE THE OPTIONS FORM
This year students will be able to select their options online using a platform called Applicaa+, students will receive an email after the options information evening. This is how students inform the school of which options they would like to take for GCSE, and other subjects that they will be more than willing to take if they do not get their first choice.
Parents/carers and students should discuss what choices are best before completing the form together.
