Choosing Key Stage 4 courses for September 2021 – message for parents of Year 9 students
Parents and Carers of students in Year 9 were sent a letter by Mr Munro on 9th February to outline how the Key 4 Course Choice process will work this year.
The key points shared are as follows:
- The students have been given the following video presentation during timetabled lesson time: https://wilmslowhigh.fireflycloud.net/key-stage-4-course-choices a
- Parents / carers are asked to watch it also before Parents’ Evening since it outlines clearly our expectations for how students should make their choices
- This year, all of our Key Stage 4 choices information is being published here: https://wilmslowhigh.fireflycloud.net/key-stage-4-course-choices. At this page you will find:
- The video which you must watch before Parents’ Evening
- Information about compulsory and non-compulsory courses
- A video from every subject outlining the content of their course
- Text from each subject going into further detail about what is taught and how it is assessed
Opportunities to meet teachers to discuss options
Because of Covid restrictions, we have needed to change our approach to how you can meet teachers to discuss courses. We are managing this is several ways
- Online Parents Evening Thursday 11th February where you can meet subject teachers to discuss progress. Please ensure you have booked appointments at https://wilmslow.schoolcloud.co.uk/
- The videos mentioned above which give a clear outline of course content and which you should aim to view over the half term holiday
- Subject drop ins on 23rd and 24th February where you can raise any questions about courses, having viewed the videos. More information will be shared about this on the KS4 choices Firefly page before half term.
We understand that for some subjects it may not be possible for you to have arranged an appointment with some teachers. Where your questions concern information about courses, please watch the videos and attend the drop ins to ask any questions. If your questions are specifically about progress in a subject, then please email subject teachers directly.
Making course choices
We will collect course choices in two phases:
- Initial course choices – the form goes live on 25th February, with a deadline of Friday 5th These will be submitted online (link shared after half term via Firefly task). These initial choices give us an idea of interest in particular courses, allowing us to begin to arrange the timetable.
- Course choice confirmation – deadline Friday 26th We will contact you to confirm students’ choices.
For further information, please use the KS4 course choice Firefly pages mentioned above. Further updates will be shared on this page and via High Notes. We hope you will find this information useful and if you have any queries at this stage of the process please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mr T Munro Senior Leader, Formal Curriculum
Course choice timetable
Monday 8th February | Launch of KS4 Course Choice process – assemblies for Year 9 students from each house and presentation sent home to parents |
W/c 8th February | Catch Up lessons – students watch choices presentation and review choices website |
Thursday 11th February 4:30pm – 7:30pm | Year 9 Parents Evening – online Parents will have the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress. Where relevant, these discussions will also cover KS4 course choices |
Tuesday 23rd February | Subject drop ins (zoom meetings) 4pm-5pm MFL, History, PE, Art, Sociology, Business, Computer Science |
Wednesday 24th February | Subject drop ins (zoom meetings) 4pm-5pm Performing Arts, Geography, D&T, ICT, Food, Health and Social Care, Science |
Thursday 25th February | Course choice form goes live |
Friday 5th March | Deadline for submission of Initial Course Choices – We will use this information to provide additional advice and guidance to students regarding the suitability of their initial course choices and to determine whether there should be any change to course availability |
Friday 19th March | Final Course Choice form issued to students |
Friday 26th March | Deadline for return of Final Course Choices form to tutors. |
Summer term | Confirmation of Course Choice letter issued to students |
Posted in: on February 9th, 2021