Making Key Stage 4 option choices is an important time for all Year 9 students. Please take the time with your child to review the information below to ensure informed choices are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the purpose of this booklet?
This booklet is about choosing the subjects that you will be studying in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4). During Years 10 and 11, you will continue to study some subjects that you have studied at Key Stage 3 and may also be studying some new subjects. Remember that all of your learning from Key Stage 3 is important for your studies in Key Stage 4.
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Why do I have to choose?
We offer a wide range of subjects. It is important that you read this booklet carefully in order to make the best choice of subjects for yourself.
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How will I know which course I need for a career?
In most cases, a broad choice of courses will keep your options open for the future. Remember that you are required to stay in education or training until you are 18. This could be at college or in an apprenticeship. It is a good idea to make a list of careers in which you are interested and ask for information from the Careers Advisors, who will be available for you to talk to you.
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Can I be sure that I will have all of my options choices?
We put the option subjects into groups to best meet students’ choices, but where clashes occur or numbers are too small to run a course, students will have to choose again.
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How do I make my choices?
Read the information in the booklet very carefully
- Talk to subject teachers
- Talk through your choices with your parents/carers
- Make your provisional choices with your Learning Coach during the week of 12th January 2026
- Confirm your final choices at Year 9 Parents’/Carers’ Evening: 5th February 2026 (3:15pm to 6.00pm)
Everyone’s choices will then be studied carefully by Mr Parker. We will do our best to make sure that you have your first choice of courses. Some adjustments will however have to be made and these will be fully discussed with you and, if necessary, parents/carers. After that time it will be very difficult to make any further changes.
Guidance
Remember: choose the course that you like, not the teacher that you like. You may not have the same teacher next year. Do not choose courses just because your friends choose them. You may have different needs, aspirations and interests.
- Make sure that your subject choices leave you in a position to be flexible
- Try to keep career doors open for as long as you can
- If you have a broad idea of a career that you wish to follow, make sure that you cover the subject requirements
Welcome
On this page you will find resources to support your child in making their option choices for Key Stage 4. Making option choices is an important time for all year 9 students and we want to provide all students with the information they need to make informed choices.
Year 9 students have been given the opportunity to learn about GCSE subjects from their class teachers and on the two year 9 Options Days earlier this year. Please ask lots of questions about the information provided by teachers as this will be invaluable in helping your child choose the right options.
We would appreciate parents, carers and year 9 students taking the time to discuss option choices and would also encourage you to review the Options Booklet available on this page. We hope you will find the booklet and additional resources at the bottom of this page useful and that you feel fully supported in making these very important decisions.
During the Year 9 Progress and Options Week (week commencing 12th January 2026), all year 9 students will meet with their Learning Coach and make provisional Key Stage 4 Option choices.
On Thursday 6th February 2026 we will be holding our Year 9 Progress and Choices Evening. You will receive an email inviting you to book appointments with your child’s teachers for this event. It is important that you attend this evening to discuss your child’s progress and confirm their Key Stage 4 option choices. This information allows us to ensure timetabling and staffing requirements are met.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s year team, the member of staff responsible for the subject (see Options Booklet) or email options@wrhs1118.co.uk directly.
Mr Parker,
Assistant Headteacher,
KS3 Curriculum and Whole-school Literacy
Careers and Looking Ahead
Many students at this stage have no idea at all which career they wish to pursue. This is neither unusual nor worrying but now is the time to start looking around, asking yourself what is available and what is realistic in terms of your own ability and interests.
All young people will continue to receive some education/training until they are 18 and many courses now offer a combination of academic and vocational elements.
At 14, when you are choosing your options, you may have no idea about your future career. It is probably true that by the time you are 16, you will be a different person and your career ideas may well have changed. The world will not have stood still either and opportunities may be opening up which you had not thought about.
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Here you can:
- Browse Job Profiles - so you know the following information:
- The work you would be expected to do
- Hours you would expect to work
- Salary you would expect earn
- Qualifications you would need
- Skills, interests and qualities you need to have
- Speak to an advisor free of charge. They will call you back on your mobile or alternatively speak to an advisor online
- Get advice on apprenticeships:
You can also get advice on your options in Year 9 and Year 11. This can be found under the heading 'Young People', and much more.
