Dear Parent/Carer and Student,

Your child has now reached an exciting and important stage in their education where they must make their option choices. In order to assist you and them in making these choices we have put together an online system and this Options Booklet. This booklet has been created to help you choose courses you will enjoy studying, subjects that will help you achieve your potential and realise your dreams for the future.

Students have an element of choice in their Key Stage 4 programme of study. They have experienced a range of subjects at Key Stage 3 and are now in a position to make certain option choices. Choices made at this stage may have a bearing on the subjects that will be available to them at Sixth Form level and students also need to think about career pathways.

In Key Stage 4 (KS4) all students will study Maths, English, Science, PE and Morals and Ethics. There are then three different option pathways: Blue, Green and Yellow. Students on these pathways will have a slightly different curriculum adapted to suit their needs. These are explained on the next page.

We want all students to enjoy learning and hope they choose courses that are suited to them and their ambitions. All courses have examinations and elements that are compulsory. Whatever subjects are chosen, additional work and study outside the classroom will be required. If you give 100% then you they will enjoy and achieve great success.

Regular attendance is vital to your achievement. Research has shown that if you attend less than 95% of the time, you are likely to lose out on the high grades that you are capable of achieving, as well as struggling to complete course requirements.

We aim to provide as much flexibility as possible within the Key Stage 4 curriculum. Please bear in mind, however, that although we strive to give every student their ideal choice of subjects, in some cases, we will not be able to do so. Classes are limited by considerations such as room size (or the demand for specialist rooms) and staffing availability. This is the case in all schools. The final curriculum structure will be based on student choices and, although this is a complicated process, we are confident that all students will follow a programme of study that is appropriate to them and gives them the opportunity to access the next stage of their education.

We hope that you and your child find this booklet helpful and we look forward to receiving your option choices by the 7th May 2021. If you require any further information at this point, then please do not hesitate to contact Mr Holmes (Curriculum Lead) or Head of Year - Mrs C Dykes.

The KS4 curriculum at Quarrydale will be highly enjoyable, purposeful and designed to help you achieve. Your teachers will challenge you to attain your very best, and will support you every step of the way. I hope you will enjoy this wide variety of curriculum experiences and choose wisely.

I wish your child every success.

Mr T. J. Paling

Headteacher

Dear Students,

This is an important and exciting time for you, as you begin the options process and you start to consider your future career plans as well.

You now have the opportunity to choose which subjects you are going to continue studying into Key stage 4. It is important that you think carefully before making your decisions and look at each subject and what they have to offer.

This Options Booklet is a key tool in supporting you to make informed decisions about your options, it contains detailed information about all the courses we offer and explains the choices that you have.

As I have already mentioned in assembly, I look forward to seeing you at the end of year 11 celebrating your achievements and well-earned qualifications.

As you will see, there are a number of subjects to choose from and I am sure that you all have the foundations to apply yourself in your Keystage 4 studies with maturity and the conviction to achieve your best, regardless of ability or background. The next 2 years are going to require hard work and study, but this will allow you to fulfil your potential and success will come to you all!

We as a school are here to support you. Be it myself, your tutors or the vast array of other professionals we have in school, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask for help.

Remember:

Aspire – it’s more important than ever to aim high. Even if you are unsure about what you want to do next. Aim to achieve the best grades possible to take you wherever you decide to go after year 11.

Believe – I believe in each and every one of you and you need to believe in yourselves! The next two years are going to be tough but try your best, use the support around you and you can succeed!

Succeed – This will come in time and will be the culmination of 2 years of your hard work and effort. Your every day decisions and actions will contribute to this success.

It has been a pleasure to take over as your head of year and I look forward to working with you all in the coming years to support you through Key stage 4.

Mr Thompson

Head of Year