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March 2008Dear Parent/Guardian
Key Stage 4 Courses, September 2008 - May 2010
After 3 years following the compulsory Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum, the time has nowcome when a limited choice of subjects for the final stage of compulsory education (Key Stage 4)is available.Of necessity, the number of subjects your son/daughter can take must be limited so that they canachieve a level acceptable for external examinations. In most cases at Snaith School, this meansthe equivalent of 8 or 9 subjects at GCSE level or equivalent.In order to maintain the principle of a 'broad and balanced' education, pupils will study a core of compulsory subjects. The optional courses will allow students some choice in relation to their  particular interests, aptitudes, abilities and careers ambitions. The level, content and emphasis of work will be related to pupils' abilities.The general aims of our curriculum are as follows:1.To ensure that all pupils, regardless of ability, reach the highest academic standards of whichthey arecapable and develop their particular talents.2.To enable pupils to chose between a range of academic, vocational and work related learning.3.To enable pupils to value themselves and their relations with other people withoutdiscrimination ongrounds of religion, race, gender, class or disability.4.To help pupils understand moral issues and social problems, including an awareness of thesocial, political and economic context in which they live.5.To stimulate and encourage creativity, inventiveness and originality and to appreciateachievements in art, music, drama, literature, science and technology.6.To acquire a range of skills of study, communication, problem solving, enterprise, practicalwork, observation, investigations and information handling.We seek to achieve these aims by:a.Developing pupils' skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and numeracy. b.Effective delivery through schemes of work and programmes of study.c.Making Information Technology an integrated part of the curriculum of every department.d.Recognising the identified special needs of pupils in terms of differentiation.e.Recognising the importance of roles of Team Leaders in creating and developing wholeschool policies and in monitoring the quality of teaching and learning.Vocational preparation is also a vital part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum. It is broader than justCareers Guidance and is aimed at enabling young people to make informed decisions at every1
 
important stage. An introduction to the working environment is included through Work Experience for all students and expert advice is available through individual careers counsellingand advice about options post 16. Several vocational choices have also been introduced into thecurriculum.Unfortunately we are not always able to provide every first choice of subject as in some cases thenumber of students who opt for a course is either too small to be viable, or too large. We thereforeare asking students to choose a second and third preference. We will, however, endeavour to do allwe can to ensure a student's first choice; if not, we will discuss the problem fully with individualstudents.
External Examinations
The courses described in this booklet are normally examined at the level of the General Certificateof Secondary Education (GCSE). Some other subjects are awarded Level 1 which is equivalent toGrades D to G at GCSE Level or Level 2, which is equivalent to grades A* to C.The examination system tests not only memory and the orderly presentation of facts, but alsounderstanding, practical and other skills, plus the ability to apply that knowledge. It placesemphasis upon continuous assessment of coursework, which requires particular 
skills of organisation of time and homework 
.All courses and examinations follow nationally agreed guide-lines, known as the ‘national criteria’.Within subjects there will be a choice of levels of assessment. Decisions concerning entry for examinations in each subject are made in Year 11 and parents will be fully consulted at everystage.
Timetable of Events
March/AprilTutor Group Time to be used for careers advice and issues connected withmaking a choiceThurs 13 MarchCareers Convention – Senior Staff available for discussion.Tuesday 18 MarchYear 9 Parents Evening. Discussions with subject teachers, CareersOfficers and senior staff – 5.00 pm to 8.00 pmWednesday 19 MarchFinal choice forms to be returned to school6 – 9 MayStandard Assessment Tests – English, Mathematics, ScienceMay/June/JulyIndividual interviews - confirmed choices
To Pupils
The modern world makes serious demands upon us all and your school life should prepare you toface these challenges. You will also live in a world of information and communicationstechnology which you will need to exploit.You will soon be faced with the first really big educational decision of your life - that of your future career. No-one can forecast the next ten years; the logical course to take is to keep one'soptions as wide as possible to give you the greatest chance in the greatest number of opportunities.2
 
How to Decide
1.What subjects can you choose from?2.Find out essential facts - ask subject teachers, Heads of Departments and your Form Tutor. Donot be influenced by the decision of a friend or the personality of the teacher.3.Look carefully at the 'combination' of subjects.4.Make your decisions carefully.The information in this booklet has been put together to help you. Read it carefully and ask for further explanation so you are confident you have made the right choice.Parents will no doubt be interested in the breakdown of the school’s examination results for the past 5 years. These show:Pupils achieving 5+ A* to C grades:200357.0%200462.4%200565.1%200662.0%200770.0%Pupils achieving 5+ A* to G grades:200398.8%200498.8%200596.8%200696.7%200795.5%Our aim is that our students will continue to maintain, and even surpass, these high standards in thefuture.Yours sincerely
J D PickerillHeadteacher
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