Key Stage 4 Options

We believe in a curriculum that matches your needs and interests because if you are interested in something, you will usually do well at it and get good results.

As you move from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4, you will experience new ways of working and new subjects alongside familiar ones. It is exciting but also challenging: exciting because you have some choice in what you study, and challenging because we give you more responsibility over organising yourself and your time. 

From this page, you can find out everything you need to know about what is on offer in Key Stage 4. As well as reading it through, it is important you talk to people: parents and carers, teachers, the school careers adviser and of course older students actually doing the courses, who can tell you exactly what studying the course is like. They can all help you reach the best decision.

Do not be shy about asking for advice as you are going to make some important decisions. We all look forward to further discussions with you and your parents/carers.

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the option process


2023 Options Blocks

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15th November

Options have been rerun - please refer to the email yu were sent or the dcument shared via Satchel One to reselect.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr McGuinness via kmc@sjcs.org.uk.

CAREERS GUIDANCE


Good career guidance is critical if young people are to raise their aspirations and capitalise on the opportunities available to them.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Gatsby Charity Foundation

The Right Direction

More than ever young people need the right information, advice and guidance when making decisions about their future for what is now a challenging employment market. For some choosing a career can be straightforward, but for others it can be confusing. My role is to empower students, giving them the basic knowledge and skills they need to begin to navigate their way successfully through career choices and changes and to understand all their options. 

Choosing which subjects to take in years 9, 10 and 11 is very important – it can affect options for the future. The qualifications gained in year 11 can influence what happens next, in terms of education, training and employment. 

When choosing subjects, try to make a balanced selection in order to keep options open for the future. Choose subjects and courses because they suit you and not because of pressure by other people. Also, don’t pick subjects only because your friends are doing them, or because you like the teacher. Other subjects may be far more important in keeping a range of careers open. If you already have a particular career in mind, check the suitability of your subject choices. 

Certain subjects, e.g. languages, maths and the sciences, art and design, need a good foundation before you can take them further, but subjects such as business, law, economics or psychology can often be started from scratch at A level or equivalent, or even at degree level.

Award-Winning Careers Advice

My name is Sue Glover and I am a professionally qualified Careers Adviser. I am a Director of Careers Solutions (Wiltshire) Limited offering impartial information, advice and guidance to schools in Wiltshire. I am a member of the Careers Development Institute and the Career Professional Alliance.

I am in school to offer information, advice and guidance every Tuesday and Thursday. I am available either through the drop-in clinic at lunchtimes or students can arrange to see me for a careers interview.

Find our comprehensive resources to help support your career decisions on our Careers Portal.

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