Pathways

Key Stage 4 Curriculum and Pathways

This is an important time for students and we recommend they make the most of this time between now and 4th March to consider their options carefully. Students will study up to ten Level 2 courses and it is important when considering these courses for students to choose a balanced programme. They should consider future career choices and make sure they are not limiting their options later on.

The Four Curriculum Pathways

There are four pathways for students and they will be allocated their pathway depending upon prior attainment and application across Key Stage 3. It is really important for us as a school to get students on the most suitable pathway to enable them to maximise progress across Key Stage 4.

Students will be informed of their pathway at the beginning of February. When completing the Options Form online you will be required to select the appropriate pathway, it is really important that the correct pathway is chosen otherwise students may need to resubmit options after the 4th March by which time some courses may already be full.

             K          –           Accelerated Route

             E          –           Core Route 1

             V          –           Core Route 2

             I           –           Core Route 3

All pathways contain some compulsory elements and some optional elements. The compulsory elements are outlined below as Core Subjects and these are dictated by the National Curriculum. These subjects are:

• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Science
• Modern Foreign Languages *
• Religious Studies
• Physical Education
• Personal Health and Social Education
• Work Related Learning and Enterprise

Those students completing the Accelerated route will study Triple as opposed to Combined Science and in order to accommodate this, there will be a slight reduction in the number of lessons for Maths, English and Religious Studies. Please see the pathway tables for the number of allocated lessons.

* Students on the V and I pathway get some choice in whether they complete a language.

Pathway K

The Accelerated Pathway provides the opportunity for students to gain ten Level 2 qualifications. The choices for those on Pathway K are:

Non Examination subjects

Open Options subjects

Students currently studying both French AND German wishing to continue in two languages should choose the option Second Language as part of their Open Options.

Pathway E

Those students on Core Pathway E will complete nine GCSEs and will have additional time for some core subjects. The options for those on Pathway E are:

Non Examination subjects

Open Options subjects

Students currently studying both French AND German wishing to continue in two languages should choose the option Second Language as part of their Open Options.

Pathway V

Those students on Core Pathway V will choose between French, German, Geography or History as their first option. The options for those on Pathway V are:

Non Examination subjects

Open Options subjects

Pathway I

Those students on Core Pathway I are mainly those students who need further educational support in Key Stage 4. All students will have three open options; however, they may be approached by the Learning Support Department for continued support in place of one subject at Key Stage 4. The options for those on Pathway I are:

Non Examination subjects

Open Options subjects