Key Stage 4 Pathways

Welcome to Your Pathways Information Page

Here you will find information about the key events in your KS4 pathways process. Selecting the courses that you will study at GCSE is the exciting first step in your journey towards your chosen career or vocation.

Over the coming months, we will provide you with a range of careers education, information and guidance to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the future education, training and employment opportunities that await you at Swanshurst and beyond.

The timeline of these events is shown below.

The Subjects You Can Choose page is the starting point for your course selection. You should read it all carefully to learn about the wide range of courses that we offer.

The core subjects all students study are English Language, English Literature, mathematics and science (combined or triple science).

You will also continue to study computing, RS, PE, citizenship and health and wellbeing as non-examined national curriculum subjects.

In addition to the core subjects, you can choose 4 option block subjects. There are some restrictions to your choices and these are identified on the pathways form. For example, all students must study either history or geography. We also encourage as many students as possible to study a modern foreign language (French, Spanish, German or Urdu), to maximise the number of students who achieve the EBacc.

The EBacc is a suite of subjects that ‘keeps young people’s options open for further study and future careers’ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-baccalaureate-ebacc/english-baccalaureate-ebacc.

The decisions that your child makes may have significant implications for their future. We will support them throughout the pathways process. They have already had some careers information through their personal development curriculum (PSHE). There is a Pathways Support page on this website so you and your child can find out more. There will also be an opportunity to talk to teachers through an online parents evening.

Make sure your child takes time to talk to you and their teachers before they make their final decision. In the end they should choose subjects that they enjoy and can succeed in.