Year 9 Options

‘If you dream as big as you can dream, anything is possible’

Michael Phelps

This is a very important time for Year 9 students, making informed choices and decisions now for the future. The Options booklet explains the options process, timeline and gives information about all the compulsory and optional subjects students will study at Key Stage 4 in Years 10 & 11. Students are advised to read this booklet, research options available, engage with the options process fully before making any decisions.

We always advise students to choose subjects they enjoy and are good at and not to choose subjects because of friends’ choices or the teacher they have had in Key Stage 3.

Whatever choices Year 9 students make they need to aim high and work hard to achieve the best results they can in their courses in Year 10 and 11. For success over the next two important years students must:

• Attend school and lessons regularly and punctually
• Be very well organised
• Listen carefully, be prepared to ask for help and learn from mistakes
• Keep to all deadlines and complete all homework to the highest possible standard Plan and do extra independent study and research to support school work
• Revise regularly over the two years
• Use opportunities to broaden their skills and experience and build their CV in school and beyond

At The Chalk Hills Academy we believe students should study a broad balanced curriculum. Our curriculum offer enables all students to work towards achieving their best results in GCSE courses examined by end of course exams in 2027.

On Thursday 23rd January 2025, we had the Year 9 Options and Parents Evening with presentations delivered on the options process as well as an opportunities for parents to hear their son/daughter’s progress in all subjects and a chance to ask questions about the subjects students are interested in choosing and about the KS4 curriculum.

The next stage of the progress is the 'Key Stage 4 Taster Fortnight' starting on Monday 27 January, where students will have taster lessons from option subjects during this fortnight alongside guidance about option choices.

We are committed to working with parents/carers to ensure that students make informed choices now to be successful learners at The Chalk Hills Academy by aiming to be the best they can be.