SchoolYear 9
Welcome to Year 9 
The Head of Year is Mrs S Short. She is supported by a strong team of form tutors.
Mrs E Thomas – 9ETH
Mrs V Pearce-Higgins – 9VPE
Miss A Searle – 9ASE
Mr P Count – 9PCO
Mr D Warren – 9DWA
Mrs E Craig/Miss V Legatelois – 9ECR
Miss C Sandford – 9CSA
Mr S Waggott – 9SWA
Miss N Barrie /Mrs H Veal – 9NBA
The team can be emailed at any time to answer relevant queries or questions. Subject queries should be addressed to the subject teachers (see Curriculum for Heads of Department). For any other queries please see the full list of staff emails.
Key Academic Focus
In Year 9 the important process of choosing GCSE options and alternative pathways begins.
During Terms 1, 2 and 3, students discuss the most suitable choices for them with their tutors, subject teachers and Heads of Department. They are also supported in their decision making through a series of presentations, group discussions and interviews. The Careers Advisor, Mrs Knowles gives a presentation on the importance of subject choices on career opportunities and is available to discuss choices on an individual basis.
The main options process starts early in the New Year with a Year 9 Options and Parents’ Evening in February. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take an active part in the process.
By March students are able to make informed choices which are matched to their needs, abilities and skills and the selections made are timetabled to ensure the combination of choices can be met.
Qualifications gained at the end of Key Stage 4 are an essential springboard for students’ development as they play a large part in shaping future educational and career opportunities.
Burford Plus – Extended Day Care
From Monday to Thursday we offer an extended day, until 8.00pm. This is to accommodate the needs of busy parents who may, due to work commitments etc, not always be on hand at the end of the normal school day.
Burford Plus offers students the opportunity to join the boarders and make use of the facilities within the Boarding Department. Tea and supervised homework are included together with the opportunity to take part in a range of evening activities organised by the boarding staff.
Attendance
In line with government directives students are not permitted to take holidays during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances is the Headteacher able to sanction time off and adherence to this is essential for students to achieve successful learning outcomes.
Criteria for Achievement
Year-9-Art-assessment-criteria
Year 9 Drama Assessment Criteria
Year 9 DT Textiles Assessment criteria
Year 9 DT Systems and Control Assessment criteria
Year 9 DT Resistant Materials Assessment criteria
Year 9 DT Graphics Assessment criteria
Year 9 DT Food Assessment Criteria
Year 9 English Assessment Criteria
Year 9 Geography Assessment Criteria
Year-9-History-assessment-criteria
Year 9 ICT Assessment Criteria
Year-9-Languages-assessment-criteria
Year-9-Maths-assessment-criteria
Year-9-Music-assessment-criteria
Year-9-Science-assessment-criteria
Key Dates
- Year 9 Return to School: Wednesday 4 September 2019
- Open Evening: Thursday 19 September 2019 (Half day holiday)
- Review 1 – November 2019
- Charter Day: Friday 15 November 2019 (Half day holiday)
- Holiday: Friday 22 November 2019
- Review 2: January 2020
- Science Exam: Wednesday 8 January 2020
- English Exam: Friday 10 January 2020
- Options and Parents’ Evening: Thursday 6 February 2020
- NB: Bank Holiday – Friday 8 May 2020
- Pastoral Forum: tbc
- INSET Day: Friday 19 June 2020
- Lower School Prize Giving: Thursday 25 June 2020
- Year 9 Internal Exams – Monday 23 – Friday 26 June 2020
- Review 3: July 2020
Year charity
Each year students choose a charity to support throughout the year. Students raise money for their chosen charity, raising awareness of the charity’s aims and projects in assemblies and through presentations. This year the students have chosen to support Cancer Research.
Homework Timetable