KS4 Curriculum & Options information
West Kirby School aims to offer a broad curriculum and range of qualifications to support pupils with varying needs to achieve their potential. We continue to provide for those more academically able individual, alongside complex young people with challenging areas of needs impacting on their ability to access and learn.
Our aim is that all students leave Key Stage 4 able to progress to a range of vocational or academic courses, or to further training linked to their chosen career. In order to achieve this, all students and their families will receive expert advice, guidance and support.
Curriculum overview - KS4 (Years 10 & 11)
Core curriculum: Students move into Key Stage 4 at the beginning of Year 10. At this point they will study the 'core' curriculum. The core curriculum at Key Stage 4 consists of English, Mathematics, Science, PSHE & Citizenship, Physical Education and Religious Studies.
Options: Students then select 4 'options' from the list of additional choices. Subjects offered include Art and Design, Computer Science, Drama, Geography, German, History, Music, 3d Art and design, Photography, Classics, Information Technology, Computer Science, Duke of Edinburgh, Engineering and Design, Creative i-media, Horticulture, Animal Care, Chinese, Graphics, Food Technology, Graphics and Life Skills.
KS4 (Years 10 &11) Qualifications available
The qualifications offered provide academic, vocational or skills-related opportunities and are grouped into levels. The types of qualifications and certificates we offer are:
Entry Level Qualifications - These are for pupil who are not yet ready for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Entry Level Qualifications focus on a specific subject or area of learning, allowing the pupil to develop the basic knowledge and skills for work or to continue education. These include English, Maths, Geography and Computing.
Functional Skills - Functional Skills qualifications allow the learners to acquire practical skills. This includes Maths and Computing.
BTECs – BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content. We offer Sport, Animal Husbandry and Food Tech.
Foundation Certificate (FCSEs) FCSE languages help students develop their ability to understand, write and speak in their chosen language. We currently offer qualification in Chinese and German
GSCEs Qualifications - GSCEs are taken by 14 to 16 year olds and graded from 1-9. These are assessed by examination at the end of a 2 year course. GCSE's on offer can include the following (subject to cohort)
Other qualifications and awards we offer are:
- Arts Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold
- Duke of Edinburgh Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold
- Cambridge Technical
- Cambridge National
- ASDAN Vocational Awards – Gardening, Personal and Social Development
KS5 (Post 16)
In addition to a range of GCSE/BTEC qualifications, we also offer the following. (Subject to the cohort)
A and AS Level Qualifications - These qualifications are intended for pupils who want to gain a deeper knowledge of a particular subject and are usually studied by 16-18 years olds who have completed the GSCEs. They are graded A – U. We also support students to study A-Levels in other subjects with local Sixth Form Colleges whilst within our provision.
* Qualifications offered may change each year according to the cohort
Year 9 options information
End of year 9 options
This is the start of a very important stage of our pupils' education. At the end of Year 9 students choose which subjects and courses & qualifivations they wish to study in Years 10 and 11.
It is essential that students select the most appropriate subjects and courses. Not only should students follow a pathway that contains subjects they enjoy and are most interested in, but they should also opt for the most appropriate subjects to give them a broad and balanced curriculum.
The Options Process
- Options evening takes place in Spring term of Year 9, where pupils, parents and carers get an opportunity to meet the teachers and discuss the option choices. Option booklets and choices forms are distributed on the evening. Pupils take the booklet and form home and return to school once completed.
- Following the Options evening all option requests are timetabled. Occasionally one or two students select combinations which cannot be accommodated and alternatives are discussed on an individual basis.
- Wherever possible staff will try to ensure pupils attend lessons in each of the Options choices to allow them to make an informed choice.
- Confirmation of choices are provided in the Summer term.
Key Stage 4 option choices
Children continue to study core subjects of Maths, English, Science, RE, PE and PHSE. They also have the opportunity to gain qualifications in 4 of the subjects below. Availability of options in any given year is dependent upon year group.
| Options subject choices | |
|---|---|
| 3D Design (Design and Technology) | Art |
| Chinese | Creative i-media |
| Drama | Duke of Edinburgh |
| Food Technology | Geography |
| German | Graphics |
| History | Horticulture |
| ICT & Computer Science | Life Skills |
| Music | Photography |
| ​​Religious Studies | Sport |
| TED (Technology Engineering Design) | Textiles (Art and Design) |
| Animal Care | Classics |
| Health & Social care |
These qualifications range from Entry Level, Cambridge Technical, BTEC, FCSE and GCSE. For more information visit our qualifications page.
Subjects actually being delivered in September will be cohort specific and demand of the year group.
For further curriculum information please speak to Mr Flanagan, Deputy Head, Quality of Education.