Dear Parents/Carers,
This year, your child will be given the opportunity to choose some of the subjects and courses they wish to study in Years 10 and 11.
This is the first time since starting school that your child will have had the opportunity to take control of a part of their curriculum. It is essential that they select the most appropriate subjects and courses. Not only should they opt for those subjects they enjoy and are most interested in, but they should also select the subjects which offer them a broad and balanced curriculum so as not to inhibit their opportunities for further study and future careers.
Some subjects will remain compulsory throughout Years 10 and 11. These include English, Maths, Science, Spanish and a Humanities subject (History or Geography). These subjects have been shown to offer young people access to greater opportunities in further education, a full range of employment options when they leave secondary school and the broad knowledge that universities and employers are looking for.
However, in addition to the above, your child will be given the option to choose between a range of other subjects in which to gain GCSEs. A significant amount of time will therefore be devoted to supporting your child to make the right decisions in this regard.
This week, an assembly took place that introduced your child to the options process and the range of subjects that they could study at KS4, alongside the implications of selecting each of these in terms of both further education and future careers.
Following this, we will be asking your child to submit an initial choices form. This is not the final options form and students can change their minds following this, but it will help us get a greater sense of which subjects students are most interested in whilst also providing your child the opportunity to think carefully about the process in advance of their final decisions. In order to complete said form, your child should join the Year 9 Options Google Classroom, using the code ymwvtgu, and complete the assignment therein by Friday 27th January.
Going forward, we will be publishing an options booklet, and this will be accompanied by both a Year 9 Parents and Carers’ Evening and an Options Evening, where detailed information regarding each course will be provided, alongside the opportunity to ask questions and also receive guidance.
More information regarding the options process will follow in due course. In the meantime, please direct any questions or concerns to info@leighacademyblackheath.org.uk.
Best Wishes,
Mr D Morrison
Deputy Principal – Curriculum