Dear Student and Parent/Carer,

 

The Year 9 Guidance and Options process is an exciting time for our students as they are choosing the subjects they wish to study in greater depth for the next two years.  This is a big commitment and making informed choices is the key to future success.  Don’t simply put down the option a friend wants to do; this usually does not end well!

 

Since September we have spoken regularly to students about their forthcoming GCSE/ Vocational choices and potential career pathways.  To really start the ball rolling, Year 9 enjoyed a Careers Day on Friday 6th January.  It was lovely to have an ex-Eggbuckland student talk about their journey from selecting options to completing their GCSE studies.  Year 9 students then started their Career Action Plans, learned more about the content of each option choice and received logins for Unifrog, a key resource at this important time. 

 

To ensure fully informed decisions are made by students and their parents/carers, we have put on the following:

 

-  Thursday 2nd February we are hosting a Year 9 to 10 Guidance and Options Event.  This will be the start of the formal options process. More details will be sent about the time this event starts.

 

- Thursday 23rd February there is our Subject Parents’ Evening when parents/carers can talk with their child’s current teachers about their suitability to study the subject.

 

Friday 3rd March is the deadline for return of all completed Option forms.  Whilst we will always endeavour to give students the options they have chosen, please understand that on rare occasions this may not be possible e.g. if there are not enough students who have selected an option to make it a viable class, then I am afraid that this option may not run.

 

In making final decisions, we strongly advise students to select qualifications that make up the English Baccalaureate in order to ensure all future career aspirations are kept open.  The Baccalaureate is made up of studying English, Mathematics, Science, a Language (e.g. French) and one of Geography or History.  Students selecting this pathway can also select a further two options of their choice.

 

We are always at the end of a phone or email should you wish to talk anything through with us.

 

Best wishes and good luck,

Matthew Corrigan

Principal