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Choices in Year 8/9

What’s this all about?

This is the stage when you choose what subjects you will study during Years 9/10 and 11. In some schools you will make this choice during Year 8 and in others it will take place during Year 9. Use the links below.

What subjects can I choose?
What qualifications can I take?
What if I have an SEN statement?
How should I choose the best options for me?

 

What subjects can you choose?

There are some subjects that you have to take such as English, Maths, Science and PSHE. In addition, you would normally choose up to 3 or 4 other subjects from a wide range offered. The actual subjects available and the number you can choose varies between schools.

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What Qualifications can you take?

You school might offer several different qualifications for different subjects; these include GCSEs, BTEC courses and Diplomas. Some qualifications are mainly theoretical and exam based, others involve practical activities and written projects or even a combination of exams and course work. You can study at different levels depending on your skills and interests. You should talk to your teachers about the differences between the qualifications you school offers to find out which would best suit your style of learning.

See the section on Understanding Qualifications for a broad outline of the range of qualifications available.

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What if you have an SEN Statement?

If you have a Statement of Special Educational Needs, it will be reviewed as it has in previous years but whilst you are in Year 9, it will include a transition plan. A transition plan sets out short and long-term targets for your progression after Year 11; these may include for example planning and making choices for year 10/11 as well as looking at options such as further or/and higher education, training or day care provision.

You will be involved in your Year 9 review. There will be others there too such as your parents/carers, your teacher/SENCO, a representative from Medway Council and your Connexions Personal Adviser from us, the Medway Youth Trust. If there is a person from another agency which has had significant involvement in your life, he or she will probably be involved too.

Then when you are in Years 10 and 11, there will be further reviews to ensure post Year 11 provision for you has been discussed.

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How should I choose the best options for me?

We have put together ten actions to help you think properly about your options.

  • DO get a copy of the options booklet issued by your school
  • DO read the details about each subject carefully so that you know what each involves and how it is assessed
  • DO think about what subjects you are enjoying now and why
  • DO think about your skills and strengths – for example are you practical? Are you good at written work? Do you excel at sports or artistic activities
  • DO think about how you like to learn – e.g. do you prefer project based activities or exams
  • DO keep an open mind – don’t reject a subject because you may think it is “just for boys or girls”
  • DO explore career ideas and see how any careers that interest you link to possible subject choices. See the section “Choosing a Career” under Work and Training
  • DO talk to your parents/carers and teachers about your ideas and interests
  • DO choose a subject which is right for you. DON’T choose it because your friend is taking it or because you like the teacher Lastly,

  • DO talk to your Medway Youth Trust Connexions Personal Adviser. Our impartial information, advice and guidance is available to help you through this.

For Year 8/9 and Parents and Carers

Which Way Now? 2010-2011 is a Department for Education publication to support  Year 8/9 students and looks to help them make an informed choice on what subjects they should take for their GCSEs.

The publication also explains in detail all the kinds of qualification that are available to Year 8/9 students and lists which subjects are on offer for each.

Includes:

  • Getting started
  • Choosing the right options
  • Thinking ahead
  • Confirming your choices

This year this publication is available only on the web as a pdf document.  http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/625-1

A Parents and Carers supplement is included.

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