Key Stage 4 Options 2025-27

WELCOME TO Key Stage 4

Your child is now embarking on one of the most important periods of their educational life by selecting the option courses they will study in years 10 and 11. The choices they make and their achievements in these courses will influence the future of their further education and career pathways. We recognise that it can be difficult for students to know which courses would benefit them most and therefore we have prepared lots of information and guidance available to support them with their decisions.

take a look at the Key Stage 4 subjects

Introduction

Over the next few weeks, your child will start to prepare for one of the most important periods of their educational life by selecting the option subjects they would like to study in years 10 and 11. The choices they make and their achievements in these courses will influence the future of their further education and career pathways. We recognise that it can be difficult for students to know which courses would benefit them most and therefore there will be lots of information and guidance available to support them with their decisions.

Our vision at The Leigh UTC is ‘developing STEM professionals for the future global market’.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that our KS4 curriculum is STEM focused. The core curriculum and the option courses on offer will provide excellent preparation for students to progress on to our sixth form, or to continue into a STEM related apprenticeship. Whilst there will be subjects that students may no longer study after year 9, other elements of the IB Middle Years Programme that make us an IB World School will continue including a focus on the IB Learner Profile and development of the Approaches to Learning skills.

Throughout KS4, students will study the equivalent of 9 GCSEs – the vocational subjects listed in this booklet are all equivalent to one GCSE each. For students that are fluent in an additional language,

we will also support them with completing the examinations to achieve a GCSE in this language too.

This booklet will provide you with important information about the core components of the KS4 curriculum and the option courses that will allow students to tailor their studies.

Jack Davies | Assistant Principal

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Core (compulsory) courses

Students will study all of the following:

Core (compulsory) subjects

Students will study all of the following:

GCSE English Language
GCSE English Literature
GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Statistics

Either

GCSE Biology
GCSE Chemistry
GCSE Physics

Or

GCSE Combined Science

Alongside

Physical Education *
Personal, Social and Health Education *
IT and Computing skills *
Religious Education *

* non-examined

Optional courses

Students will study two from the following:

GCSE Art
GCSE Business
L1/2 Cambridge National in Creative iMedia
GCSE Computing
GCSE DT
GCSE Electronics
L1/2 Vocational Award in Engineering

GCSE Geography
GCSE German
GCSE Graphics
L1/2 Technical Award in Health & Fitness
GCSE History
GCSE RE
GCSE Sociology

Some Leigh UTC students are shown sitting at a desk in a classroom, writing with pens in their hands.

How do Academic and Vocational courses compare?

All core courses at KS4 are academic qualifications. However, for the option courses, students have the opportunity to complete one or two vocational courses. The table in this section summarises the differences between academic and vocational courses in terms of assessment and grading.

Whilst vocational courses have a greater focus on NEA (coursework) which can benefit some students, it is important that students recognise that they will need to keep on track with these projects and portfolios so they can meet deadlines for submission.

Academic

Vocational

Qualification

GCSEs

L1/2 Technical Awards

Qualification

9 to 1

Pass / Merit / Distinction

Assessment

A greater focus on exams – many courses are 100% exam.

A greater focus on NEA (coursework).

Exams

All exams take place at the end of year 11. Exam resits are only possible in English and Maths after year 11.

Exams can take place at different points throughout the course. Exam resits are possible but limited.

Progression

Academic and Vocational courses both allow great progression on to our Post-16 and then University and Apprenticeships.

The KS4 Options Selection Process

The process takes place during module 4. Throughout the module, students will receive plenty of additional support and guidance to ensure that they make the most suitable course choice for their KS4 studies.

This will involve:

An information evening on 20th March 2025 – where parents can discuss course specifics and receive feedback from class teachers and leaders. Taster lessons for subjects that they do not already study so they have a better idea of what that subject entails.
Completion of an ‘interests’ survey where students share their current career aspirations and which subjects they are more interested in and are performing well in based on those that they currently study.
Personal guidance meetings with a member of the senior leadership team (SLT). During this meeting we will work with the student to help them make the most suitable course choices. For students with SEND needs, these conversations will be supported by a member of the SEND team.

During the guidance meeting, students will choose two option courses plus one reserve. Once all students have had their guidance meeting, we will review the course selections and do our best to make the course combinations work. We will make every effort to ensure students get their first choice and in the vast majority of cases we will usually be able to accommodate this. In the event we cannot, we refer to the student’s reserve.

Final allocations will be confirmed and shared by the end of April 2025.

Course suitability

In your personal guidance meeting, we will help you to select the courses that are most suitable for you. Before your meeting, you may have already started thinking about which courses may be best.

The most suitable options are likely to be those that…

You should not favour a particular course because…