Year 9 in Wales

[Serenfach123]

Hi, everyone

My son is in Yr8 in a local Welsh secondary. We are discussing Yr9 and how it will go, but there is some confusion over what comes next.

Can anyone give me a general outline, please? For example, will be spend the whole of Yr9 doing the same subjects as he is now, in Yr8?

When does he choose his options, and when exactly will he start studying those new subjects?

Thanks x

It depends on the school I think - DC's school choose options in Y8 and start GCSE content in Y9, but many schools do it all a year later and teach GCSEs over two years.

Maybe have a look at the school website, ours has a section for GCSE options including all the subjects available etc.

(I would have thought if he hasn't chosen options by now then yes, Y9 will be the same subjects as Y8, he will choose his options in the Easter term and then start his GCSEs in Y10. I seem to remember options choices happening here in February / March so it would probably have happened by now if it was going to be this year.)

Sorry I am doing this in fits and starts - re when exactly he will start the new subjects - again all schools are probably different but ours used to do end of year exams in the summer term and then for the last couple of weeks of term everyone would move to their new timetable for the following year. So the Y11s leave, the Y10s start their Y11 timetable for the following year and everyone moves up. And Y6s would come along for their Y7 taster days. But it sounds like he will start properly at the beginning of Y10.