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Original poster

Does the DfE guide schools on how many KS4 options they should have, and do I have grounds for appeal over this?

77 replies

weathergod · 13/03/2023 11:44

My daughter is in year 9, and choosing her options for next year. Maths, English (x2) and Science (x3 or combined) are compulsory. Then she needs to choose 3 options (with a humanities subject and a language encouraged, but not compulsory). All the other schools in the area have 4 options, not 3. I'm cross about this and my questions are:

1.Is there a minimum number of KS4 subjects recommended by the Government for a broad and balanced curriculum?

  1. Is this restriction to 3 options likely to reduce my daughter's options at A Level?
  1. If I appealed for a place at another school on the grounds of wanting 4 options, would I have a good case?
OP posts:
TeenDivided · 13/03/2023 12:32

If they are using time saved on more English & maths and improving results there then doing 1 less GCSE may well benefit your DD.

Takeachance18 · 13/03/2023 11:52

8 or 9 is a fair number/average, more concern would be them not offering a subject they would like e.g one of the art/practical subjects e.g. pe where they do rounders, but a neighbouring school does cricket, which she plays outside of school or textiles. Look at number of hours the others offer on each subject e.g to do 3 sciences, do they have to take one of their 4 options (assuming your school gives the same number of hours to both combined and triple).