KS3 Choices
KS3 Choices within The Cottesloe School Curriculum
A robust, broad and rigorous core curriculum, enriched with additional personalisation that is progressive, deep and knowledge-rich, developing skills to create well-rounded, resilient, confident young adults, our curriculum offer is closely aligned with the school’s mission statement and vision of Prepare, Aspire, Succeed; supporting the ‘Cottesloe Journey’ that combines learning about and from the world we live in, where students experience a sense of fulfilment through educational and personal achievement.
What is the KS3 Year 9 Choices process?
Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3) represent a critical phase in a student's academic development. This stage fosters a love of learning and equips students with a broad and robust knowledge base across diverse subject areas. Unlike the more general approach of primary school, Key Stage 3 delves deeper into specific disciplines, preparing students for the increasingly complex topics encountered in later years.
In Year 8, students are afforded the opportunity to begin tailoring their academic experience through subject selection for Year 9. This selection process, while occurring within the Key Stage 3 framework, introduces elements of Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). Students will choose three additional subjects alongside core classes, with options encompassing the Creative Arts, Technology, and even Business Studies. While final selections are made in Year 9, this early exposure allows students to explore their academic interests and continue on their learning journey towards formal qualifications in KS4.
The Choices process aims:
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To equip students with a rich and diverse knowledge base that empowers them to form well-reasoned arguments and tackle challenging subject-matter.
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To expose students to a wide range of experiences, both within the classroom and beyond, fostering cultural, educational, and sporting enrichment.
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To ignite a passion for learning that becomes an integral part of a student's approach to education throughout Key Stage 4 and beyond.
Benefits of Choices:
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Exploration: Students are empowered to delve deeper into subjects where they demonstrate aptitude or possess a particular interest.
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Preparation for GCSEs: This process provides valuable experience in making informed subject selections, mirroring the formal GCSE options process that occurs in Year 9.
Recognising that initial selections may not always be definitive, it is possible for students to adjust their Choices early in the Autumn term of Year 9.
Subject Videos
Key Dates
Wednesday 26th February 2025 Choices Evening face-to-face 6pm to 7pm
Tuesday 11th March 2025 Online Year 8 Parents Evening
Monday 17th March 2025 Choices must be submitted via Google Form