Dear Year 9 Students and Parents,
Welcome to your Year 9 Pathways Choice Booklet.
This is a crucial transition and will require you to make some important decisions about which subjects you would like to study over the next two years. It is essential that you make the right choices so that you end up with a range of subjects that are interesting and stimulating and will provide you with the best chances of being successful in your examinations.
Some subjects are compulsory and must be studied by all students. These include:

English Language

English Literature

Maths

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Religious Studies

PE (Games) (Not GCSE)

Curriculum for Life/Citizenship/Careers (Not GCSE)

However, in order to support these compulsory subjects, you will also have the opportunity to select two or three other subjects of your own choice. These include French, Spanish, Geography, History, Art, Business, Computer Science, Music, Food Technology and LAMDA.
This booklet contains a list of the compulsory and optional subject choices available to you, depending on numbers. Please read this booklet carefully with your parents or carers and talk to them about the areas that interest you, complement your talents and may help you to achieve your future ambitions. Over the next few weeks, you could talk with your form tutor in our form time, watch presentations from each subject area, giving you a real insight to what you would be studying if you select one of these.
Once you have read this booklet and discussed all the available options presented to you with your parents or carers, you will be required to choose your options.
We will do our very best to ensure you get the subjects of your choice. However, should there be a lack of
demand, it may be necessary to remove a particular subject from the list and place those students affected into their second choice. Not all first choices can be accommodated so it is important that when you choose a second choice you recognise that these may be used. You will be notified of your final course allocations in writing. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to your continued success in the next phase of your time at Stanborough Secondary School.

Yours faithfully
Mrs Jeanetta Liburd
Headteacher

Choosing an Option
• Research all your options before making a decision
• Do not fall into the trap of thinking some subjects are only for boys and some only for girls – this is not true
• If you have a firm career idea, choose subjects you need to meet the entry requirements for future study
• If you do not have a firm career idea, choose subjects that will give you plenty of choice
• Make the most of your careers education lessons and ask for help if you need it
• You need good information, advice and guidance to help you choose well 

Useful Websites for Options

There is also a wealth of information available online to help consider your choices. Click on the Icons to learn more.

	Watford Young People’s Centre – this is a free service where you can get advice and support from trained SfYP Advisers and Youth Workers.
	Careerpilot has a bespoke section for GCSE options. It has a wealth of information also for post-16 courses, qualifications and careers.
	UCAS  is extensively used in sixth form but has a wealth of information about GCSE options.
	The Student Room -Uni Guide aims to provide impartial advice to shape your next steps. It acknowledges that GCSEs are the first step in this process. There are currently 6 articles to help you on this site.
	Success at school provides lots of useful information and aims to empower and guide young individuals aged 13-19 in making well-informed decisions about their future pathways.
	The National Careers Services is a UK Government funded service providing information, advice and guidance.
	A useful guide for parents. It details information about the EBacc and GCSE choices.
	The Prospects website has a really useful guide on different degrees and what jobs you can do with them. Whilst it might seem a long way off, having an awareness of different options available to you is important.

Option Form