Question: What do you do if too many students opt for one subject?
Over the past few years we have been able to give the vast majority of our students all of the subjects they would like to study at Key Stage 4. If the first choices result in a subject being oversubscribed then we will do everything we can to find a solution. In the past we have been able to run an additional group in an oversubscribed subject if there is sufficient demand to do so.
Question: What do you do if too few students opt for one subject?
Unfortunately, if demand for a particular subject is small, it may not be possible to run that subject. This is dealt with on a one to one basis. Students and their parents/carers will be kept informed at all times.
Question: Will you be able to timetable all choice combinations?
We are very proud of our pathways / options system in that we, unlike the majority of schools, design the option blocks around student preferences, we therefore build 'timetable blocks' after the students have made their choices. We hope to give all our Year 8 students the subjects they would like to study at Key Stage 4. In exceptional cases it may be impossible to timetable some choice combinations. It is for this reason that we ask students to make two additional choices, and that these are courses that are suitable and that they would still like to study. Individual interviews will take place with students who have chosen subject combinations which cannot be timetabled. Students and their parents/carers will be kept informed at all times.
Question: Do you offer any new subjects at Key Stage 4?
There are a number of subjects we offer at Key Stage 4 that are not taught at Key Stage 3. The teachers of these subjects are always available to discuss the issues relating to their subject at Key Stage 4. The Heads of these subjects will speak to all students during Year 8 assemblies / through videos on the subject pages of the options area on this website.
Question: What if a student starts a course and finds that it is not for them?
We invest a great deal of time in matching students to the right courses for their success. However, within the first term of Year 9 a small number of students will request a change of course. This can normally be accommodated at this early stage, providing that group sizes do not become too large and that the new combination of subjects can be accommodated within the option blocks that were determined by students' initial choices.
Question: What subjects do you offer in the Sixth Form?
We currently offer a wide range of courses at Hanley Castle. For more information students should visit the ‘Sixth Form’ on the website or speak to the relevant Head of Department. A-level and BTEC Level 3 courses are available.