KEY STAGE 4 Introduction

Key Stage 4 is mainly, but not wholly, assessed through GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11.

Students choose their Key Stage 4 Options in Year 9. All students in Years 10 and 11 study a Core Curriculum comprising the following subjects:

Core Curriculum

• English Language and Literature
• Maths
• Science (which may be studied as three individual Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or the new double award Science Trilogy qualification)
• Religious Education
• Physical Education (Non-GCSE)

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​​The English Baccalaureate Pathway (EBACC)

The English Baccalaureate Pathway (EBACC) is taking increasing importance and may become a required entry qualification for certain courses and universities in the future. In light of this, we encourage all students capable of achieving the EBACC qualification to study the required courses within their GCSE options.

The English Baccalaureate Pathway (EBACC) requires that students achieve a grade 5 or higher in English, Mathematics and Science plus a grade 5 or higher in:

ONE Modern Foreign Language and either History or Geography.
Those students choosing the English Baccalaureate Pathway would also choose ONE further subject for the list below:

Art
Business Studies
Computing
Design & Technology
Drama
History
Geography
Food & Nutrition
French or German
Health & Social Care
Media
Music
Physical Education (GCSE)
Photography

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Pathway 2

Pathway 2 includes study of the Core Curriculum and a selection of other GCSE courses, but without the EBACC qualification.

In addition to the Core Curriculum, students may choose one of:

Geography
History
French
Computing

as well as TWO further subjects from the list below:

Art
Business Studies
Computing
Design & Technology
Drama
History
Geography
Food & Nutrition
French or German
Health & Social Care
Media
Music
Physical Education (GCSE)
Photography