Year 9 Options Information

We understand that all our students are individuals and have different skills and passions but we also know that all students need to be given the best possible opportunity to achieve, both now and in the future. With this in mind, we have tailored three pathways for students to follow, with the aim being to maximise a student’s potential both now and in the future.

Students will be told which pathway they should be following. If you have any queries over our recommendation then please contact Mr Stewart Williams. Our pathways are in place to guide students to the best possible outcomes and whilst not set in stone are strongly encouraged. We will happily discuss the options available to students should a subject they want to choose not be available on the pathway that has been set. 

We refer you to pages 7 & 8 of the Options Guidance Leaflet for information on the specific pathways and how they should guide you through the options process.

 

English forms part of our core offering at Key Stage 4 and students must study both English Language and English Literature. 

Please click to view the Subject Information Guide for English Language and for English Literature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All students must continue their studies in Mathematics. There are two options at the end of the course, to sit a Higher Paper or a Foundation Paper.  The Maths Department will take this decision for students in Year 11.

We also offer a Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths on an invitation only basis.

Please click here to view the Mathematics Subject Information Guide.

All students are required to study PSHE during their time in Key Stage 4, at Woolmer Hill we refer to this as Identity. This is not a subject that results in a qualification. Please click to view the Identity Information Guide.

All students continue with the study of science (biology, chemistry and physics) throughout Key Stage 4.

The science department will decide the best examination course for students to follow during years 10 and 11.

This is either:

Combined Science

- students study all three sciences and receive two GCSE qualifications

- the examinations are sat at either higher tier or foundation tier

 

Triple science

- students receive 3 separate GCSE qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

 

 

 

 

Mrs Dixon-Green, Head of Science, explains the Science options in more detail in the attached video.

 

 

Please click to view the Science Subject Information Guide.

All students will be required to take either History or Geography as one of their option subjects (they can also choose both!).

 

 

 

 

Humanities subjects offer exciting and challenging topics for students to investigate, learn about and study. With Geography tackling relationships between people and the environment and History exploring key aspects of our past including the Anglo Saxons and Norman England, Crime and Punishment in Whitechapel and Weimar and Nazi Germany, these subjects offer students variety, dynamism and a sense of belonging. 

Please watch the video clips below and click to view the Subject Information Guide for History and Geography. For further guidance please see your subject teachers.

 

 

 

 

On top of our core Humanities subjects, our students can choose to study additional Humanities subjects as part of their options selection.

At Woolmer Hill, we offer a choice of Religious Studies & Sociology.

 

 

 

 

Religious Studies explores not just cultural areas of certain religions but students also take time to look at ethical, philosophical and moral aspects of the world we live in.

Sociology will take you on a journey through our social cultures with particular focus on family and education and crime and social stratification. 

Please watch the video clips below and click on the links below to view the Subject Information Guides. For further guidance please see the subject teachers.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

SOCIOLOGY

 

We strongly encourage all students who are capable of a good pass (grade 4 or above) in a language to follow this as a chosen option.

Languages are incredibly useful in all careers and pathways, it enables ease of travel and transition and can be applied to all industries. Many universities now look upon a language as a favourable option for successful candidates. So many reasons to study a language and we haven't even touched on holidays abroad!

If you are fluent in a language other than English, you can also enquire about sitting a qualification in your heritage language. You will need to have fluency both in the spoken and the written word. Please speak to the Exams Officer as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

Please watch the video clip below and click here to view the Subject Information Guide and Steps to Success documents. For further guidance please see your subject teachers.

We offer several courses in this faculty; GCSEs in Computer Science, Statistics & Business Studies. 

The GCSE Computer Science course offers students the chance to explore and develop skills in computing and the virtual world, looking at designing, programming, security and software. This subject is an increasingly important part of the world we live in and similar to a modern foreign language, it can often be applied in many different businesses and industries as well as at home.

GCSE Business takes a broad look at the business world, specifically how businesses operate in the world around us, the influences that affect them and how they look at their marketing and finance operations.

Statistics are a huge part of everyday life, careers, and future study. Studying Statistics can give you an understanding of data in the real world and how it can be used (or misused). 

Please watch the video clips below and click to view the Subject Information Guide and Steps to Success document 

COMPUTER SCIENCE

BUSINESS

STATISTICS

For further guidance please see your subject teachers or in the case of Business see Mr Poeti and in the case of statistics see Miss O'Carroll.

Statistics

Business

Computer Science

The Creative Arts Department is musical, theatrical and artistic in equal measure!

Whilst Art offers you a chance to explore your creative and artistic side in various forms and techniques, from clay to watercolour to textiles; Music GCSE will expand your knowledge of musical genres and theory, and enable you to develop your composing and performing skills. Drama takes you on a journey through plays both in written and dramatic terms, the theatre and backstage.

All subjects in this department require work outside of school, be that in portfolio work, theatre visits or rehearsals or daily practice in music.

 

 

 

 

 

Please watch the video clips below and click on the links below to read the Subject Information Guides and Steps to Success documents for each subject. For further guidance please see your subject teachers.

ART, CRAFT & DESIGN

DRAMA

MUSIC

Art

  Drama     Music  

 

 

Design Technology can cover a variety of areas and we offer three examination courses Art & Design 3D, Textiles and Hospitality & Catering. 

All subjects provide practical and creative opportunities and a chance to be hands-on, however, all subjects do also have theory to learn, written evaluations to be completed and in Catering's case, a written exam.

Please watch the video clip below from Miss Everson and click to read the Subject Information Guides and Steps to Success documents for Catering, Textiles and 3D Art & Design. For further guidance please see your subject teachers.

 

Design Technology can cover a variety of areas and we offer three examination courses Art & Design 3D, Textiles and Hospitality & Catering. 

 

 

 

 

All subjects provide practical and creative opportunities and a chance to be hands-on, however, all subjects do also have theory to learn, written evaluations to be completed and in Catering's case, a written exam.

Please watch the video clip below from Miss Everson and click to read the Subject Information Guides and Steps to Success documents for Catering, Textiles and 3D Art & Design. For further guidance please see your subject teachers.

 

Design Technology can cover a variety of areas and we offer three examination courses Art & Design 3D, Textiles and Hospitality & Catering. 

All subjects provide practical and creative opportunities and a chance to be hands-on, however, all subjects do also have theory to learn, written evaluations to be completed and in Catering's case, a written exam.

Please watch the video clip below from Miss Everson and click to read the Subject Information Guides and Steps to Success documents for Catering, Textiles and 3D Art & Design. For further guidance please see your subject teachers.

 

Being active and enjoying exercise is vital for mental well-being, which is why even if Sport is not taken as a GCSE, an element of core PE is still a part of every student's timetable.

Please click to view the Subject Information Guide for Core PE.

We also offer the option for students to take their studies in this area forward with a GCSE in Physical Education.

 

 

Students studying GCSE PE must have a keen interest and ability in sports, this includes not just playing a sport but partaking in team activities and sports leadership. The qualification contains a strong written element and theory studies so it is not all about ball skills! 

If you are thinking about taking PE asa GCSE option please ensure that you understand the requirements outside of school in terms of the number of sports you need to be active in. It is not enough to simply enjoy sport.  

Under the PE faculty, we also offer students the opportunity to take a Cambridge National in Health and Social Care. This course covers some of the fundamental aspects of health and social care, including growth and development, health and social care services and values, and health and wellbeing.

Please watch the video clips below to learn more about these two qualifications and click to read the Subject Information Guides and Steps to Success documents for PE GCSE and Health & Social Care

PE

Health & Social Care