Top Documents
- Transition Guide
- What is Connexions (Easy Read Guide)
- Need to see an Adviser? (Referral Form)
- Qualifications chart
Top Links
Year 9 Options
Most students in year 9 will have to make choices about subjects and courses they will take for public exams like GCSEs at the end of Year 11. In some schools, you may do this in year 8 and some students may be entered for exams in some subjects in year 10 rather than year 11.
What courses and subjects are on offer?
Everyone has to study English, Maths, Science, IT and Technology. Some schools will set other subjects that you have to do. Then you will have options where you choose from a grid - one subject from perhaps 4 or 5 blocks of subjects. You may not be able to do everything you want or you may have to study subjects you don't like. Most students will take a range of GCSEs, but you may be able to opt for the new Diploma or vocational courses including link courses like building at college.
Making a good choice
There are lots of things you need to consider before making your final choice including:
- What subject choices are available in your school?
- Do you have a long-term career idea?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses at school/and in your home interests?
- What your tutors say about you.
- Take time now to work out the choices that are right for you.
If you want information or advice about choosing what subjects are right for you, there is a lot of help available:
Subject choice events
Most schools hold events for students, which are normally also open to your parents or carers to attend. You will be able to speak to subject tutors, look at examples of past work and compare exam results of previous students. Ask in your school office when your school is holding one and try to attend. A Connexions Adviser will usually try to attend this or a year 9 parents evening.
Classroom sessions
Many schools have lessons such as Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) to help students learn more about what is available and how to make good decisions. These lessons tend to take place in the Spring term of year 9 and are seen as further preparation for students.
Connexions information room/Careers library
You will find lots of information about careers, jobs, the qualifications needed and what skills you need to do them within all of the above. Most students have a lesson to introduce them to their schools resource, but if you haven't or have forgotten how to find what you need contact your Personal Adviser or Careers Co-ordinator who will be able to help you.
Also, why not try Careerscape to have a look at the kinds of jobs that link to different subjects. So if you enjoy and are good at art, you can get ideas about jobs you might like. You can also use it to get info about jobs you might already be thinking about. If you don't have any job ideas at the moment, you could try Kudos. You will get a number of questions about things you would enjoy doing and then get a list of job ideas to explore.
Publications
'Which Way Now' is a magazine that goes through the options open to you. We make sure schools get copies for all their students. If you have not got one, ask your tutor. There is an on-line version with interactive quizzes.
Information for young people who need extra help or support
If you have a statement of special educational needs, a Connexions Personal Adviser will meet you to talk about your plans for the future. The adviser will help you to do an action plan about this. The adviser will also come to your transition meeting and help you explain your plans and needs.
You can download the document about transition planning which will help you to think about your future and what you like doing.
See also article on Extra help at school or college
Posted on 21 September 2009
