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.
Honours Pathway for the Most Academic
This pathway is a route within our Key Stage 4 offer which ensures that students take the broad and balanced range of academic subjects necessary to give the best progression routes on to Further and Higher Education courses. Alongside this academic rigour, students can also pick two subjects from the full range of vocational, practical, and academic subjects to ensure that they can pursue their personal interests.
All students will study:
- English language and English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science (Double award leading to 2 GCSEs or if chosen as an option Triple Science leading to GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
- A modern foreign language (Spanish/French)
- A humanity (History/Geography)
All students will study these non-examined subjects:
- Personal Development
- PE
AND
- Two free choices from the full range of vocational, practical, and academic courses:
Art, Computer Science, Performing Arts-Dance, Performing Arts-Acting, Design Technology, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Triple Science, Hospitality and Catering, Construction, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Information Technology, Creative Media, Music, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities or Sport, Travel and Tourism.
As part of our offer to students on the Honours Pathway, we will provide a funded trip to either France or Spain. We feel that studying a language, alongside other academic subjects, is particularly important in terms of building the cultural capital necessary to be successful in the modern age. Research shows that languages raise overall intelligence levels, ultimately benefitting all study. Having a language promotes intercultural understanding, future-proofing employment opportunities and improving financial prospects in the world of global trade, travel and communication.
Alongside a modern foreign language, the Honours Pathway provides the traditional academic rigour of either History and Geography and the essential core components of any rounded education: English, Maths and Science.
Universal Pathway
Students on our ‘Universal Pathway’ will encounter option subjects that have a track record of equipping students with the key knowledge and skills required in the modern world. This is a popular pathway where students embed key knowledge from core subjects as well as developing their individual diverse talents with a wide range of option subjects.
This pathway offers a range of compulsory and optional subjects as indicated below:
All students will study:
- English language and English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science (Double award leading to 2 GCSEs or Triple Science leading to a GCSE in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
- History or Geography
All students will study these non-examined subjects:
- Personal Development
- PE
AND
- Three free choices from the full range of vocational, practical, and academic courses:
Art, Computer Science, Performing Arts-Dance, Performing Arts-Acting, French, Design Technology, Construction, Engineering, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Triple Science, Hospitality and Catering, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Information Technology, Creative Media, Music, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities or Sport, Travel and Tourism.
Aspire Pathway
Students on our ‘Aspire Pathway’ will experience an ambitious curriculum designed to maximise the potential of all students including those who may need some additional support to achieve this. Alongside the core compulsory subjects, students receive support for the curriculum areas they find challenging and are given extra to strengthen their literacy and numeracy.
Students on this pathway will follow a curriculum including the following:
All students will study:
- English Language and English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science (Foundation Triple Science leading to a GCSE in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
- Hospitality and Catering/Additional Support time
All students will study these non-examined subjects:
- Personal Development
- PE
AND
- Two free choices from the full range of vocational, practical, and academic courses:
Art, Performing Arts-Dance, Performing Arts-Acting, Religious Studies, Construction, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Information Technology, Creative Media, Music, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities or Sport, Travel and Tourism.
Please note – the following combinations are not allowed, as the courses contain content which is very similar. Students would have to choose one or the other, but not both:
- Outdoor and Adventurous Activities and Sport
- Performing Arts-Dance and Performing Arts-Acting
While taking both Engineering and Construction is allowed, the advice is to pick one of these courses rather than both to ensure breadth of choice for your subjects. Students will need to speak to Mr Moody or Mrs McMurtrie if they would like to do both.
