Year 8 Choices

Dear Parents / Carers of students in Year 8,

I am writing to inform you of some important choices that need to be made at this time, regarding your child’s curriculum.

In 2019, the School and Governors made the decision to revert back to the main option choices being made in Year 9 rather than in Year 8, but retaining some choice in year 8. We need to maintain the breadth of the curriculum studies from year 8, but allow students some choice over what language and creative subjects to continue in year 9. Providing one more year until final option choices are made.

To allow further choice, students will take an ‘early’ option for study in year 9 and 10 to provide that sense of purpose and challenge for this ‘middle part’ of the student’s time at high school. Towards Easter of Year 9 Students will then choose 3 further options for study in years 10 and 11 alongside their core GCSEs of English (Language and Literature), Maths and Science.

Year 8 students will be asked to make 3 choices:

1. Firstly, choose a modern foreign language: French or Spanish or German.
   Selected students will have additional literacy instead, parents will be contacted directly regarding this.

2. Secondly, a creative option: Students choose 2 subjects from: Art / Applied Design / Design Technology / Dance / Drama / Food technology.
3. Thirdly, an early BTEC/ GCSE option: One 2-year course selected from: BTEC Enterprise / BTEC Music / BTEC sport / GCSE Classics / GCSE Religious Studies / GCSE Statistics.

In summary, by not making all option choices now, we aim to provide a broader curriculum for longer, whilst providing students with some opportunity to choose elements of their curriculum into year 9. Secondly, an opportunity to gain a qualification early providing a real sense of purpose in years 9 and 10. Finally, with one qualification banked early there is a reduction in some of the pressure of year 11 when the full suite of subjects are examined.

The choices are made using the SIMS app (students need this on their phones) you as parents also need access to this – this is essential as it is our main method for contacting you regarding attendance, achievement points and reporting.

Full details of how to make the choices on this app included in the Year 8 choices booklet and at the bottom of this post.

Today I was able to speak to all the students and give them a briefing regarding the choices program, they will be bringing the Choices booklet home with them. This booklet is also available on the school website, in the learning section, under options.

https://www.patchamhigh.brighton-hove.sch.uk/learning/options/

Yours sincerely,

Mr Mike Newman
Deputy Headteacher