Key Stage 4 Options

Pupils at Bishop Walsh Catholic School choose their GCSE options in the early spring of Year 9. Pupils receive a number of different opportunities to explore their future options in terms of the GCSE and vocational courses they may wish to embark upon. In form time all Year 9 pupils undertake a four-week programme whereby they use an on-line package aimed to support students and guide them through the exploration of their options and what these courses involve and where they can take them in the future.

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum offer comprises of six core GCSE subjects namely GCSE English language, English Literature, mathematics, science (two GCSEs) and Religious Education. Students are also required to take a modern foreign language and either geography or history together with a third free option. The third free option includes a wide range of subjects together with the option to study the humanity not studied in the other option block meaning students can take geography and history should they wish. Some students may wish to extend their science qualification by embarking upon the separate sciences course (worth three separate GCSEs). This pathway is by invite only and communicated by a letter from our Head of Science.

Our Options’ Evening allows parents, guardians and pupils to attend a presentation about the options process and the pathways available.  Additionally, pupils and parents are free to watch our highly informative videos that have been created by our Heads of Department. Each video details the qualification on offer and is a valuable source of information to support informed decisions by pupils and parents.