At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), your child will be studying towards GCSEs, or a vocational equivalent. Select a section below to explore the different options available for this stage in the Bath and North East Somerset area.
Your child may want to stay in their current secondary school (which means no application is necessary), or transfer to another which provides different subject options, or a different emphasis.
Apply to move schools for Key Stage 4 (in-year application)
There is also the option to attend one of our area's two studio schools, which cater exclusively for pupils from Year 10, and offer a more practical and work-orientated programme of study. Applications should be made direct to the schools.
To apply for a studio school outside of Bath and North East Somerset, you can apply using the following link.
Apply to a studio school (bulk transfer application)
Beechen Cliff offers a broadly traditional academic range of GCSE courses to Year 10. These include the International GCSE (IGCSE) and courses in Computer Programming and Creative iMedia. The support given to pupils through the House System is considered exemplary.
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Broadlands Academy has an established reputation in science and technology subjects, with specialist teachers, facilities and exam results to match. Students are able to study separate science GCSEs and Computer Science, as well as a number of technology options. The academy has won a number of awards for enrichment activities related to these STEM subjects.
Students are expected to follow a broad, balanced curriculum that includes History or Geography and Spanish, together with Mathematics and English. They may also opt for additional subjects, including: Art, Music, Film Studies and Sport Studies. A vocational option is offered where appropriate.
Broadlands Academy prides itself on offering excellent independent information and guidance about routes into post-16 education and training. The annual Careers Fair is attended by over 25 training organisations, which is part of the support that ensures all students move on successfully.
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Chew Valley School offers a wide variety of courses with the majority of the students following a range of option subjects which sit alongside English, mathematics and science. The school has a good breadth of work experience contacts and placements, which are made available to all students.
The school has been recognised for its pastoral work and the work around diversity, which compliments the breadth of the academic offer available, and students are given time to explore some of the fundamental issues around these areas.
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Hayesfield Girls’ School has the motto is “Achieving Ambitions,” and this is at the heart of our curriculum offer at KS4.
We have over 20 possible options on offer, including a mix of both academic and vocational courses in Performance and Arts, Technology, Languages, and Humanities. The majority of our students choose to study one or more languages (French, Spanish or Latin) and either History or Geography to qualify for the English Baccalaureate. These subjects can be taken with a variety of other distinctive subjects like Dance, Photography, Economics, Engineering and AS Global Perspectives. We also offer the three separate sciences.
The curriculum at Hayesfield is complimented by our extensive extra-curricular programme, which supports, enriches and extends students’ classroom learning. We have an outstanding pastoral team, who are specialists in girls’ education. Here, girls develop the confidence, self-belief and resilience needed to be the leaders of tomorrow.
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At IKB you will gain high quality qualifications, key personal skills and meaningful work based experiences to prepare you for your future at either university or a higher apprenticeship.
Our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) specialism means all students study a core curriculum that includes Triple Science, taught in state of the art laboratories and workshops.
Our links with Wellsway school mean we can also offer more than 20 other qualifications, including the Ebacc subjects. We pride ourselves on our high quality specialist teaching, small classes and strong relationships with students and parents.
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At Norton Hill, students make excellent progress in their GCSE studies, partly due to a wide curriculum offer possible in a very large comprehensive school. Over 30 courses are available: a majority of which are academic GCSEs, including STEM qualifications. A third of the courses are specialist vocational qualifications, covering Social Care, Business, IT, Sport, and Creative Media. French, German and Spanish can also be studied, with the opportunity to take two languages at both GCSE and A Level.
We have over 200 students taking the Duke of Edinburgh Award every year, and also offer a wide range of academic trips, including to France, Germany, Iceland and Spain.
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At Oldfield School, KS4 students study up to 10 GCSEs and are able to choose from a wide variety of subjects for their option choices. All of these GCSE courses have progression links to our sixth form.
The very great majority of our students study GCSE courses that qualify for EBacc entry, which provides the challenge of a rigorous and demanding curriculum.
We also provide a wide choice of creative and vocational subjects and students are encouraged to develop their interest in these areas so that they have a balanced and enriching curriculum experience.
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The Ralph Allen School Key Stage 4 curriculum is made up of 60% core and 40% optional elements. The core curriculum is made up of English, Maths and Science, as well as non-exam subjects of core PE, Personal Social, Health & Careers Education. In the optional curriculum, students choose 4 subjects. The only stipulation about this choice is that all students should take a modern foreign language or History or Geography. The vast majority of the optional subjects are GCSE courses and there is a wide choice of subjects from which students make their 4 choices.
Typically, students can choose from around 16 different GCSE subjects and 3 vocational subjects (such as Sport BTec, Engineering Manufacture and Health & Social Care).
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Somerset Studio School is an exciting place to learn and has its roots in a philosophy that links schooling to the world of work. The focus areas of Mendip Studio School are Science, Technology and Engineering – vital areas of study for the economy of the United Kingdom, but also superb areas for students who want to experiment and be tomorrow’s engineers, designers, or research scientists.
The school will offer key academic and applied learning qualifications, including core GCSEs in English, Maths, Engineering, Design Technology and a range of Science qualifications. All students will be assigned a ‘personal coach’ (tutor) who will meet with them regularly to develop students' confidence, employability skills and as a trusted adult.
Enquiry-based learning (EBL) lies at the heart of the Studio Schools’ curriculum model. Students will be engaged in key Enterprise Projects in school and also in local and national business settings. To root students’ learning in the real world, most projects will involve links with industry and real life scenarios. So, whether it is a health report for the local hospital, the completion of an IT or a business brief for a local employer, students’ learning will be authentic and will actively involve them in local community life.
All students at Somerset Studio School will participate in work experience. The timing of this will vary depending on the age of the student and the requirements of the project work and our industry partners. There is considerable evidence that this direct, ‘hands on’ experience better prepares young people for life and work.
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Somervale School offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses at KS4 that have been supplemented through our partnership link with Norton Hill. This collaboration is a good way to share expertise and to ensure that all students have access to a range of subjects.
Courses delivered through the partnership are taught in double blocks to enable ease of transfer. The school has a specialism in Creative Media and has top class facilities in these areas.
Somervale has a very welcoming atmosphere and a strong pastoral system to ensure that all students are happy and successful in their learning.
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The curriculum at St Gregory’s has evolved in response to the needs of students.
We hold Religious Education at our core and all students are prepared for GCSE examinations in RE. We believe in providing a broad and balanced curriculum. Consequently, all students study English, mathematics, science, at least one humanities-based subject and a language to GCSE.
Options subjects offer the students the opportunity to pursue wider curriculum areas. Our specialisms are performing arts and science, and this is reflected in our curriculum provision. We currently offer 24 courses at GCSE and BTEC level, including four languages. A large number of students opt for separate sciences.
The school prides itself on its pastoral support and provision for SEND students.
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St Mark’s School is extremely proud of our balanced and varied curriculum. Our staff recognise that all students have different strengths and talents, and they are dedicated to identifying these to create a personalised learning programme for every child.
Students study from a range of curriculum areas and are encouraged to avoid early specialisation when selecting their options. We offer a wide range of GCSE subjects, and ASDAN qualifications for students with Additional Needs (SEND).
Small class sizes mean all students have the opportunity for unrivalled individual attention from teachers to enhance personal development. Led by enthusiastic and well-qualified teaching staff, students receive exceptional tuition and guidance throughout their time here to stretch and challenge each and every one, supporting them to achieve the very best outcomes.
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Wellsway School offers a broad range of around thirty vocational and academic courses at GCSE level or equivalent. The school provides specialist teachers in English, mathematics, science, modern languages, business, computing, technology, humanities, art, performing arts and physical education.
Find more detailed KS4 curriculum information on our website.
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Writhlington School offers a wide variety of options for students at Key Stage 4. You can learn more in our latest curriculum document.
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