Meet the Team
Which subjects do all students study?
The next three years will be an important period in your child's life and will help determine their future education and career. Many students will use their Key Stage 4 study as a platform for Post 16 courses at Ken Stimpson Academy. Key Stage 4 work offers an opportunity for a fresh start, although you will notice progression in most subjects from the work covered in Years 7 and 8.
Core Curriculum
All students will study the following core curriculum
- English Language/ English Literature (2 GCSEs)
- Science (2 GCSEs)
- Mathematics (1 GCSE)
- Core PE (2 Lessons)
- Personal Development (Careers, PSHE, Religious Studies - 1 Lesson)
In addition, Citizenship, Careers, Enterprise and Work-related Learning, Information, Advice and Guidance will be delivered via integration into PSHE, Tutor Time and curriculum days.
September 2026 Government Updates
The Department for Education is currently undertaking a consultation that will directly impact students selecting their option choices for September 2026. Although no firm details have been provided yet, we believe students will be required to select at least two subjects from a list the DfE is terming “Creative Subjects.”
To help you, we have highlighted these potential subjects in green in the list in our booklet. Please note that we cannot be certain these will be the subjects on the government list, so this may affect the course combinations we can offer students once the full guidance has been released.
More details will be shared as we receive them, via our Pathways evening, follow-up video, and on our website.
Pathways Courses and Blocking
In February students will be asked to rank their subject preferences and will be allocated to subjects based on a number of criteria. This will include the weighting of their preferences, their ATL score in the KS3 subject equivalent, their attendance, their performance in KS3 assessments, and any changes to government guidance.
Whilst we will strive to enable as many students as possible to study the subjects they select, we will ultimately allocate based on what we believe will give them the best chance of success. Our courses also require a minimum number of students to be viable for staffing and delivery, and may be withdrawn if this threshold is not met.
Option Subjects
- Art and Design
- Business and Enterprise
- Childcare
- Computer Science
- Construction
- Geography
- Health and Social Care
- History
- Hospitality and Catering
- Information Technology
- Italian
- Media Studies
- Performing Arts - Dance
- Performing Arts - Drama
- Performing Arts - Music
- Religious Studies
- Sports and Physical Education
- Statistics
- Textiles
- Triple Science
Further Information
Assessment
Assessment forms an important part of Key Stage 4 courses. It consists of work done throughout the course which counts towards your final examination grade. It may take the form of:
- Classwork
- Homework
- Assignments
- Tests
- Fieldwork
- Projects
Remember that assessment is:
- spread over the length of the course
- a continuous indicator of how you are doing
- helpful to students who perform less well in examinations
- a good preparation for Post 16 work.
Examinations
Most courses have an examination at the end of Year 11. Our policy is to enter students for all examinations in which we believe they may achieve a recognised grade.
We require that parents pay for entry for students who the school believes will be unlikely to achieve a recognised grade. The criteria for identifying these students are a poor level of attendance (less than 90% in the last calendar year) and the failure to complete coursework. If a 'parental entry' student does achieve a pass grade then the cost will be reimbursed by the school.
Our Tutors
Our Courses
Taster Week
Across the weeks commencing 19th January, 26th January and 2nd February, Year 8 students will attend a series of lessons that are ‘tasters’ of what to expect if they were to study that subject at Key Stage 4. By the end of the three weeks, all students will have sampled all of the option subjects available to them and be more informed in their decision making.
Pathways Interview
If necessary, students will be invited to a personal Pathways appointment, with a member of the Pastoral or Leadership Team. At this interview we will look at the choices the student has made and discuss alternatives if required i.e if a course hasn't received a large enough uptake or chosen courses clash on the final timetable.
Online Form
The link to the online form will be sent to student’s school email address on Wednesday 13th February. Students are encouraged to complete the form in conjunction with their parents/carers. It is worth remembering that it will not be feasible to offer all choices to all students and therefore it is necessary to choose reserve subjects. The deadline for submitting the form is Friday 6th March.
Pathways 2026