Choices at key stage 4
Young people start to make choices about their education at age 14, usually in the spring of year 9. They will decide which courses to take in years 10 and 11 (key stage 4). In some schools, key stage 4 begins earlier and young people will make their choices near the end of year 8.
Choices at key stage 4 are between GCSEs, The Diploma and other qualifications such as the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE). Across the country, there are 3500 different qualifications that can be offered at key stage 4, and schools can decide which ones best meet the needs of their young people.
Choices vary from school to school, but certain subjects are mandatory at key stage 4 -
- English
- maths
- science
- information and communications technology
- physical education
- careers education - this could be part of a wider programme of personal learning
- work-related learning
- citizenship
- religious education
- sex education
These subjects are compulsory so that all young people will have a range of opportunities at 16, no matter what choices they make for their optional subjects.
Schools may run options evenings and give out booklets to help young people with their choices. The school's Connexions personal advisor may be able to give advice on certain issues as well.
Choices after compulsory education
By the beginning of year 11, young people should have decided what they want to do after year 11. They should be applying for courses or jobs during their final year of compulsory education. At 16, some young people will go on to courses lasting one year or less, and they will apply for their next option during that year. But most young people will do a two-year course.
The choice at 16 is usually one of the following -
- going to a college of further education such as Hull College or Bishop Burton
- going to a sixth-form such as the one at St Mary’s College
- going to a sixth-form college such as Wyke or Wilberforce
- going on an apprenticeship programme, ‘E2E’ programme or other accredited programme with a work-based learning provider. This usually involves work experience as well as study at the provider’s centre
- getting a job with training to level 2 or level 3 - jobs without much training usually have poor prospects and lack security
Changing courses
The most important thing is that courses match young people's abilities and aspirations, so that they can succeed with their choices. Learners are encouraged to talk about their progress and plans regularly, so that if any changes are needed they can be arranged at the earliest opportunity.
It is easier to change from a course you have just started to another that has just started, rather than half way through. But all 14-19 education providers will do their best to sort out any changes once they have explored the reasons why the young person has changed their mind.
You can talk to a Connexions personal advisor if you change your mind about a post-16 course, but it's useful to talk to your education provider as well.
Making sure 14-19 education in Hull is good quality
Off-site provision, where schools offer their learners opportunities to follow courses with further education and sixth form colleges and work-based learning providers, have significantly enhanced the curriculum choices available in key stage 4 for Hull learners. The quality of that provision and the experience of the learners who access it are critical to ensuring the progress and achievement of the young people who choose that route.
We work with schools to provide a quality assurance system that supports the development of good and improving practice, and ensures schools are informed about the providers they may wish to access. The duty of care for all school-aged learners ultimately lies with their school, but the quality assurance process offered by the 14-19 team helps schools with the evaluation of the provision in terms of teaching and learning, health and safety, safeguarding, and progress and achievement.
Ofsted (link opens in new window) inspects schools and colleges, work-based learning providers and other forms of post-16 learning.
How we make sure 14-19 education is appropriate for Hull
Careful studies have been conducted about the local economy and job market. Young people in schools learn about the labour market using resources developed by the Humber Education Business Partnership, so their choices are informed by up-to-date information on the economy.
We use the same information to plan the curriculum for 14-16 year-olds for the following year. If we noticed any gaps in the curriculum, we make these a priority so that post-16 partners and employers can address them.
More information about the 14-19 education plan is available to download below -
14-19 education plan 2010 - 2013 (size: 333 Kb) 
