Week commencing 24th February: 2020 Options booklet is published

Paper copies will be made available through each child’s form tutor for those who do not have internet access. It contains information needed by students and parents/carers to help select courses that students will follow through Years 9, 10 and 11. Please take the time to look through the course information with your child/parent and begin discussions about possible option choices.

Please see options booklet below.

Thursday 27th February 2020: 4.30 – 7.30pm Options Evening

Presentation from the evening. 

The Options Evening runs for a three hour period to allow families to choose the most suitable time for them. You are not expected to attend for the full duration of the event. During the evening there will be opportunities for students and parents to attend a presentation and an Options Fair.

1. On the same evening there will be a talk given in the main assembly hall, which we ask that all families attend. Here you will be given an important overview of the whole options process and courses on offer, as well as information on how to apply and key dates.There will be 2 talks available in the main hall at 4.30pm and 5.45pm and available on a first come first served basis. Families will need to decide how they organise their time on this evening to ensure they have an opportunity to visit all departments and one of the main talks in the hall.

2. This part of the evening is like an ‘Options Fair’ and no appointments are necessary. You will be able to speak to staff in their own department areas around the school and see the learning environments and facilities first hand. There will also be a few students from Years 9 and 10 available to speak to who are already studying those courses.

If you have any access requirements for the Options Evening, e.g. wheelchair-access or you require a translator, please contact Pamela Fulton on 01273 561281 or email pamelafulton@varndean.co.uk who will assist you accordingly.  

 

Week beginning Monday 2nd March

Each student will be given a 1:1 interview with a member of senior staff to discuss options and help to support their decision making process.

Wednesday 25th March: Options Deadline

This is the final date for options forms to be submitted. We ask that parents ensure that they have discussed the options with their child before forms are submitted.

 What happens next?

After the deadline we will begin the process of constructing the Options blocks and students will be informed as to whether or not their choices have been possible. There may be some choices which do not work out because a subject may not receive sufficient support or may be heavily oversubscribed. Similarly, students may have made a combination of choices which is considered to be too narrow or restrictive or possibly not suited to their needs, despite the advice given previously. If this is the case we will negotiate any changes which may be necessary with individual students. 

Choosing options is an important time and I do hope you will find our processes helpful. If you have any queries about the options process, please contact your relevant school base.