Supporting choices for Key Stage 4
This year, your son or daughter will be making decisions about the subjects and courses they will take in Key Stage 4.
In this section we aim to give you some basic facts about:
- the options and qualifications in Key Stage 4
- 16-18 choices
- sources of information and advice for you and your son/daughter
Where to study?
- Most young people will stay in their current school.
- Some young people may spend a day or two each week out of school at a local college, at a different school or with an employer for a work related course.
- Some young people in Norfolk may wish to move school at 14. They can also apply to study at the University Technical College Norfolk (UTCN) in Norwich. As well as the main GCSE subjects, the UTC specialises in science, technology, engineering and maths.
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What will they study in Key Stage 4?
Your son or daughter will study a number of compulsory subjects (also called 'core' subjects) including:
- English
- Maths
- Science
They will also choose a number of option subjects. Most will be familiar from years 7-9, although there may be new ones such as business, psychology or engineering.
The English Baccalaureate
Your son or daughter’s school may encourage your son/daughter to choose a combination of GCSEs which make up the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The EBacc is not a qualification in itself but recognises students who achieve good GCSE passes (9-5) in English language and literature, maths, history or geography, combined science or three single sciences (which may include computer science) and a language.
You can find more information about the EBacc on the GOV.UK website