Year 9 Options
Option Choices at Furness Academy
At Furness Academy, we recognise that all students are different, they have unique talents, personalities, and abilities. Thus, within the comprehensive education system, we aim to cater for these differences, ensuring that all our students are given the best possible education we can offer.
As a part of our on-going commitment to prepare our students for the future, we have designed a rich curriculum aimed at raising student dreams and aspirations by stretching and challenging them in all aspects of their education. Our curriculum is tailored to meet the distinctive needs of all students and will provide them with many opportunities to excel, while preparing them as future citizens.
Option Choices is one of the most significant stages in the education of students: choosing the subjects that students wish to continue studying at Key Stage 4. It is, therefore, very important for students to read all the information available thoroughly and to discuss preferences with parents/carers and teachers.
We are pleased to offer a wide range of subjects, from which students can select the choices which best match their interests, skills, and future career aspirations. Everyone must follow a core curriculum of subjects alongside their option subjects.
It is important that option subjects are chosen carefully and that the selection choices are broad enough to enable students to have many possibilities to choose from after they leave school. Speaking to the Director of Learning and Standards, Year Manager, Form Tutor or subject teachers to find out further information about the option subjects is highly recommended.
Sometimes deciding is not easy and so there are questions that are helpful, such as:
- What do I enjoy studying?
- What do I not enjoy studying?
- What are my strengths?
- If I choose this option now, will it keep more options open later for further study, training, or work?
To make the process work for the wide range of aspirations of the student, we have identified three different ‘pathways’ through Key Stage 4.
The starting point of the options process is for us to identify which route is best for the progression of each student and to then share details of the subject choices that they can make, all of which we plan to do in the coming weeks. Details of the three different pathways are indicated below.
Pathways
The Honours Pathway
Students on our Honours Pathway follow a highly academic route, designed for learners who embrace challenge, and show high levels of independent thought and curiosity. This pathway offers a broad range of academic subjects that build strong foundations for progression into Further and Higher Education. Students choose two additional subjects from our full options offer, giving them opportunities to explore their interests, extend their strengths, and continue to aim high as they work towards their aspirational goals.
Students on this pathway study a language and have the opportunity to travel abroad. Studying a language helps every learner broaden their experiences, and benefit from research showing that multilingual skills can support higher achievement across GCSE subjects.
The Universal Pathway
Students on our Universal Pathway are offered a wide range of option subjects to help them gain the important knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s world. This popular pathway allows students to build a strong understanding of their core subjects while also developing their own diverse talents. It helps every young person feel they belong in our learning community and supports each student to achieve as they explore subjects that inspire and motivate them.
Submitting Your Choices Preferences
Students will complete their choices online via Microsoft Forms, following detailed guidance.
Students will choose up to four subjects in rank order of preference, along with two reserve choices. When the selection is complete students, will get a notification in their e-mail about the choices they have selected.
The software will then generate a best fit solution, to ensure the highest proportion of student choices are met.
Where courses are oversubscribed, we will use the criteria below to shortlist:
- Progress being made in the subject
- Attendance
- Behaviour
- Attitude to learning
