A large part of the curriculum is compulsory for all students but there is also an element of choice which means that students can shape their own learning programme in KS4 according to their interests, their future education and career aspirations. The procedure for selecting option subjects is explained in these pages. Please spend some time reading this information to help your son make the best choices.

The “option procedure” begins in the Spring Term and during the Summer Term the school works very hard to make pupil choices possible. At Southborough we are keen to make the decision making process as easy as possible and to ensure that the right decisions are made.

We are committed to ensuring that all students at Southborough students have a broad and balanced curriculum. Most GCSE subjects are now examined at the end of Year 11 following the removal of the modular exam system. However, some subjects such as GCSE Art and DT, as well as most BTEC courses still contain a certain amount of external assessment and coursework components, and are no longer wholly coursework based, whilst most subjects also carry a number of marks for answers containing the correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. This means that syllabuses and assessment specifications will be different to those experienced by former Key Stage 4 cohorts.

Relevant questions you should ask yourself are:

• Which subjects do I enjoy?
• Which subjects am I good at?
• In which subjects have I made most progress since Year 7?
• Which subjects have I been advised to take?
• Which subjects do I need to consider for a career and my Sixth Form studies?

To help to assist our students in making their choices, our subject leads for optional subjects have put together videos giving an overview of course content and discussing where these subjects might lead. View them here.

Any questions can be directed to teachers, Ms King or Mr Haque.

Thank you