KS4 Options and Curriculum

Our aim is to provide students with an excellent education filled with engaging experiences that develop life skills and provide endless opportunities to pursue a bright, prosperous and happy future. We are committed to the success of all our students and we appreciate that this will look different for each individual. Our vision is for every student to leave Redden Court empowered with the credentials and character to become valued and active members of society.

Pupils flourish here. They work hard in class and take their education seriously. 

Leaders have high expectations of all pupils’ achievement. Pupils are determined to succeed. 

[Ofsted October 2022]

As part of our outstanding curriculum offer, students are exposed to a wide range of subjects throughout Key Stage 3, particularly with our innovative carousel rotations in Years 7-9, that allow them to experience many of the subjects that they will or may continue to study at Key Stage 4. In Years 10-11, they will build on the skills acquired in Key Stage 3 and focus on developing the depth and breadth of knowledge, skills and understanding required for success both here and in the future.

Leaders ensure that all pupils study a curriculum that is broad and ambitious. 

Pupils build the knowledge they need cumulatively. Leaders have carefully sequenced the 

curriculum to build up pupils’ understanding of key subject content knowledge and skills. 

They have thought about the order in which pupils should learn foundational knowledge 

[Ofsted October 2022]

Our Key Stage 4 options process takes place in Year 9, usually from January to March. Each subject has presented assemblies from 8th January, detailing the content of their courses and there is more information available in the booklet and slides below. Some teachers have also delivered taster sessions and lessons. Students have also undertaken ongoing assessments in each subject and they can access their current progress on their DPR (Dynamic Progress Report). The linear nature of the current GCSE qualification means that students will generally sit examinations at the end of Year 11. Most courses have an exam assessment focus and some may have elements of controlled assessments. The precise details of what each subject area involves, as they currently stand, are provided in the booklet below.

On this page you will find all of the resources to support our students with their decision making, including assemblies, presentations and booklets detailing specifics about each subject area and qualification. We start with an overview of our options process and the proposed schedule. We then move on to each subject area and the presentations they have delivered for the options assemblies for your reference.

English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) and Curriculum Pathways

The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) consists of obtaining GCSEs in English (Literature and Language), Mathematics, Science (double or triple), Languages and Humanities (Geography or History). This will provide you with great opportunities for your future in education and careers by offering a broad and challenging range of subjects. You will also be able to select two other options, totalling 9-11 GCSEs or Level 2 equivalents. Studying  an EBacc combination can help students in many ways:

• Sutton Research reveals that studying the EBacc can help improve a young person’s performance in English and Maths

• A study by the UCL Institute of Education shows that studying subjects included in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education and increases the likelihood that a pupil will stay on in full-time education.

The vast majority of our students will study and complete the Ebacc, which is known as our Red pathway. Our number of entries for this certificate are exemplary and one of the highest in the borough and also nationally, helping to support the government's target of 90% of students in the country completing the Ebacc. The outcomes of the Ebacc are measured by an average point score of the grades obtained in the subjects included, and again we are proud to have one of the highest scores in the borough, that is well above the national average. 

We are a very inclusive and diverse school and we have a commitment to success for all. We understand that the EBacc is not suited to all students, and we therefore provide personalised pathways to meet the needs of all. Our White pathway is slightly different to the Red pathway and a small group will be selected for this pathway later in Year 9, following further analysis of ongoing assessments and consultations with students, staff and parents/carers. The options process is still the same at this stage for all of these students so they will all receive the same options booklet and form, as detailed below. We also have a small group following the Blue pathway, who are following a tailored curriculum to support their needs, with more details shared with those students and parents/carers earlier in Year 9. 

All of our pathways are challenging and aspirational. We all want what is best for our students and are confident in our selection process, but there is scope for movement and adaptations to further challenge and support them.

Options Form

The options form will be sent to students on the Red and White pathway via email and they must be logged in with their school account to be able to access this. Only students can complete this form. The Google form should save as a draft so that students can return to it if they do not complete it in one go. When they submit the form, they will receive a receipt copy of their completed form in an email back to them instantly. If they need to make any changes before the deadline, they can click on the link in this email to edit your response. There is more guidance in the assembly slides below.

Below are the some of the subjects we offer, although not all are available on each curriculum pathway so please check the slides and booklet for more information about which subjects can be selected on the Red and White pathways.