Y9 Options Process 2016 – 17

The IGCSE options process starts soon for Y9 students and we have planned a number of activities in order to guide the students in making their choices.

During the next few weeks all Y9 students will begin preparing for the IGCSE options process in their Global Thinking Skills lessons and year group assemblies.

The formal process will begin in December 2016 as follow:

On Tuesday 6^th December students will be off timetable during periods 4 and 5 for an extended presentation led by Greg Thornton (Vice Principal of Middle School). New subject teachers have also been invited to talk about the various courses on offer and guide students to the right choices for each individual student. The day will conclude with a student question and answer forum.  During this afternoon students will be given a booklet titled ‘Options’ to help them understand this process in more depth. We would be extremely grateful if you could read this booklet and discuss the contents with your child.

On Tuesday 3^rd January, there will be an informal question and answer session for parents who would like further guidance.

Year 9 Parents’ evening will take place on Tuesday 10^th January. The focus of this evening is your child’s learning in Year 9. Parents who wish to make individual appointments to see our Higher Education Counsellors at Year 9 Parents’ Evening are welcome to do so. Our Higher Education Counsellors will also be available at the informal question and answer session on Tuesday 3^rdJanuary.

Please note that in the booklet, there is a form to complete when your child decides their choices.  These choices will be entered into GATEWAY via an online sign up.  The GATEWAY sign up will open on 8^th December and needs to be completed by January 16^th 2017.

The Options process in Year 9 is primarily intended to be a mechanism by which students are encouraged to reflect, evaluate possible pathways and learn how to make decisions in a supportive environment. The framework of the option choices has been designed to ensure that whatever curricular choices a student makes for Years 10 and 11, their studies will always be balanced, and act as excellent preparation for any further programme of study. It is therefore our strong recommendation that students opt for subjects that interest them and that they think they will enjoy over the next two years.

We hope that this staged approach will lead to informed and confident decision making and stimulate discussions between students, their parents and teachers.

Kind regards

Sian May                                                                                                           Mo Devlin

Head of Middle School                                                                                  Head of Year 9