Armthorpe Academy

Ambition

Respect

Responsibility

Mere Lane
Armthorpe
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN3 2DA

Pride

Our Ref: MWo/Y8Options

19th February 2016
Dear Parent/Carer
In 2015 the decision was made to move the choosing of GCSE options from Year 9 to Year 8. The
decision has proved to be a hugely successful one for our students for several key reasons:

A focus in Year 8 on pre GCSE skill development, challenging the preconception of Year 8 as a
stagnant year for students.
A greater level of stretch and challenge in the Year 9 curriculum.
An opportunity for students to change their Post 16 plans during Key Stage 4 and support those
changes with a one year GCSE option in Year 11; an issue that could not be supported through the
traditional process.

As Year 8 is a hugely important year for your son/daughter, they will be making their first round of GCSE
option choices after the Easter break, those decisions will be made from an informed and supported
stand point.
The timetable for the options process will be:

Monday 14th March ACE day. An opportunity for students to experience a full day of GCSE lessons
from a timetable based on the January GCSE options student voice activity.
Monday 4th April Options booklets distributed in form time. This will allow parents and students to
discuss the options process and formulate any questions that they may have for the Options
Evening.
Thursday 7th April Options Evening. A presentation outlining the National and school based
changes to GCSE study as well as a chance to speak to subject teachers about specific courses and
your childs ability to reach their potential in that subject.
Friday 15th April completed options forms to be returned to school for initial processing.
Early May bespoke appointments between a member of the Senior Leadership Team, your child
and yourself to discuss their options choices and provide information and guidance to ensure there
are no barriers to your childs successful future.

The provision for students to choose 3 of their options to complete during Years 9 and 10 at this point
means that they will have a further opportunity to pick an option subject at the end of Year 10 for study in
Year 11. This additional option will allow students to reinforce their academic and career pathway or
make a change in direction in preparation for their Post 16 studies if their aims and aspirations have
changed during Years 9 and 10.
I hope that together we can provide the information, support and guidance that will set your child up for
the successful future that we are all striving for them to achieve, every day, in every lesson, both inside
and outside of the classroom.
Yours sincerely

Michael Woodstones
Assistant Headteacher

Headteacher: Andy Cope

Armthorpe Academy Trust is an exempt charity
Registered in England and Wales
Company No. 8071286
VAT Registration No. 136 1684 13

Telephone: 01302 831582

Fax: 01302 300757
Email: admin@armthorpe.doncaster.sch.uk
www.armthorpeacademy.org.uk

Part of the Consilium Academies Group