Key Stage 4 – year 9 GCSE GUIDED OPTIONS PATHWAYS

Welcome to the Year 9 Guided Options page of our website. This page contains all the information you will need to understand our core curriculum, option choices available and student pathways we offer.

The curriculum at Icknield High School encompasses every aspect of a young person’s learning; everything we do is underpinned by our overriding philosophy of ‘Raising the Achievement of All’. In order to give students a broad and balanced experience, we continue to offer a wide range of subjects at key stage 4.  

At key stage 4 the curriculum builds upon the foundation work undertaken at key stage 3. We do this by ensuring that students develop a deeper and more insightful understanding of the core knowledge underpinning their subjects. Whilst academic rigour is at the heart of our curriculum, we also recognise the importance of students continuing to access the wider curriculum beyond the restraints of the GCSE specifications. There continues to be a strong focus on Literacy, Reading and Mathematics for students of all abilities at key stage 4.

At key stage 4 all students follow a core curriculum which includes: English, Mathematics, Science, Core Physical Education, PSHE and a Visual Art subject of their choice. The following option subjects are also available for students to select as an open choice: Business Studies, Computer Science, Design Technology, Ethics and Philosophy, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Health & Social Care, History, Spanish, Sport science, Sport studies and Music. Based on students’ performance during key stage 3 students are placed on the most appropriate pathway to ensure all students leave with the best possible outcomes.

Where students have been identified as at risk of failing their core subjects, they are guided to have additional time in core subjects, whilst keeping the EBacc pathway option open to all. We do this because as we know it gives these students the best possible life chances and opens more opportunities for them at post-16 level.

What pathways are available to students at Icknield High School?

The school offers two pathways at KS4, which are:

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc)

Whilst we encourage students to immerse themselves in their studies and choose subjects which cater to their potential and capability, we strongly encourage students of all abilities to follow the English Baccalaureate pathway. This involves students continuing to study the following subjects: English, Maths, Science, History or Geography and a Language.

As a school we are proud to say that more students each year are following this pathway and studying this combination up to GCSE standard.