Students begin to study their option choices in year 9 and embark upon a 3-year key stage 4. The school feels that this in no way reduces the broad and balanced nature of the curriculum, in fact, it has broadened the curriculum offered to students. A greater variety of subjects can be offered due to students opting for four subjects; in particular, there has been an increase in the number of vocational subjects available to students; which reflects the local community that our school serves. All subject areas, including Languages, Humanities, The Arts, Sports, Technology and Vocational are available to all students, who are encouraged to select from a range of faculty areas. Students who have the ability to cope with the demands of studying a Language, alongside a Humanities subject are actively encouraged to do so during the Options process in order the meet the government targets for students achieving the EBacc.
The options process is reviewed yearly to ensure it remains student-centred and meets the specific needs of each individual cohort.
Students choose their option subjects from those available grouped into a number of blocks. Before constructing these blocks we consider carefully the needs of particular learners within the cohort undertaking a trial run without blocks to see which subject combinations provide the best fit for each cohort.
The options process is student centred where students are supported through assemblies, tutor periods and individual interviews to think through their choices and future plans. Once their choices have been submitted all students have a one to one interview with our Curriculum Lead to discuss and finalise their choices.
Students at Selston High School currently study their options over three years. Over our two week timetable they study the core subjects for 30 out of the 50 lessons per fortnight. In the remaining 20 lessons students complete four option choices which they will complete over three years of study.
Following a curriculum review undertaken in 2023 it was decided that the needs of the 2021 intake – current Year 8 – would be best met by moving to a two-year KS4 model commencing for them in September 2024.
| Core Provision – Students study all of these subjects | ||
| English Language | English Literature | Mathematics |
| Core PE | Combined Science | PSHE/RE |
| Core EBacc Provision – Students study one of these subjects | |
| GCSE Geography | GCSE History |
| Option Provision – Students study three of these subjects | |
| GCSE Courses | Vocational Courses |
| GCSE Art & Design | BTEC Tech Award Health & Social Care |
| GCSE Computer Science | City & Guilds Construction & The Built Environment |
| GCSE Drama | WJEC Level1/2 Award in Engineering |
| GCSE French | WJEC Hospitality & Catering (Food) |
| GCSE Geography | GCSE Music |
| GCSE History | Cambridge National Sports Science |
| GCSE PE | BTEC Tech Award in Travel & Tourism |
| GCSE Photography | Cambridge National ICT |
| GCSE Spanish | |
| GCSE Triple Science | |
Please note that the above information shows the course offered for September 2023. Some courses may not be offerred in the future.
es were not offered in previous years
Our Option booklet provides further information on the process and the courses available it can be found below.
