Year 9
Welcome to Year 9
The Head of Year is Mr M Wright. He is supported by a strong team of form tutors.
Mrs A Pope – 9APO
Mrs R Allsop – 9RAL
Miss K Ryan – 9KRY
Miss R Ellis – 9REL
Mrs I Ludlow 9ILU
Mrs R Hughes – 9RHU
Mrs L Speakman and Mr R Dennis – 9LSP
Mr D Lawson – 9DLA
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 Haines 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.
Attendance
The school day begins at 8.30 am and finishes at 3.00 pm for all students. During a typical week, students are in school for 35.2 hours. Optional after-school activities finish at 4.30 pm. We are very aware of the impact of attendance on learning and achievement, and closely monitor the attendance and punctuality of all students throughout the school year. For more information, please refer to our Attendance Policy which can be found in our School Policies Section.
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
Following each review, all students will have learning discussions with their subject teachers and tutors about how to maintain progress and how to move learning forward. You will be able to see the target set by your son or daughter, under the guidance of their subject teacher, in their subject books.
Key Dates
- Thursday 2 February 2023 – Year 9 Parents’ Evening
Year charity
Each year students choose a charity to support throughout the year. Students fundraise for their chosen charity, raising awareness of the charity’s aims and projects in assemblies and through presentations.