INTRODUCTION

Year 9 marks the final stage of Key Stage 3 education and is the transition to Key Stage 4, which culminates in the sitting of GCSE examinations.  

The focus in Year 9 is an academic one. Students, with parental support, choose which courses to study for their examinations in Year 10 and 11, and the emphasis is on academic achievement and meeting individual targets. For the first time we have introduced banding in Year 9, to ensure that all students are fully supported in their learning and prepared for the English Baccalaureate, which the Government has introduced this year. This comprises Math’s, English, Science, History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language. In Year 9 students follow courses in English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Design and Food Technology, Humanities, (RS, History, Geography), Information Technology, Modern Foreign Languages (French, and Spanish), Performing Arts (Drama, Dance, and Music), and Physical Education. We intend to combine learning in the classroom with residential trips and day trips to supplement and extend the curriculum. Students are expected to participate in all lessons by bringing all required equipment, including a kit for PE.  Homework is set every evening and recorded by the students in their planners.  It is expected in Year 9 that students complete on average three pieces of homework a night. Extra Curricular activities are held throughout the year and these include sport and homework clubs.  The library is available for students to complete research and do any private reading.

At the start of each academic year each child is provided with a personal organizer and a Homework timetable.  We ask that parents monitor this to ensure that work is consistently being completed. 

Progress of students is carefully monitored with more successful students being encouraged to aim higher and those who are underachieving supported and encouraged to fulfill their potential.

This is a very exciting year and we must all encourage our students to make the most of the opportunities they are offered.

Head of Year :Ms. C. Galligan