As you are no doubt well aware Key Stage Four is a term which refers to Year 10 and Year 11. During these two important years you will study for the GCSE examinations which you will take in May/June of Year 11. You will be reassured to know that your academic preparation for the GCSEs will begin immediately on arrival in Year 10 in September. The Heads of Department and subject teachers have extremely high expectations and are committed to ensuring that each individual student achieves to their full potential. There are a number of very exciting curriculum developments taking place and recent results are very impressive indeed. You will be following in a fine tradition of academic success. Rest assured that you will receive every support and encouragement to allow you to fulfil your potential.

Naturally, academic success at GCSE, and in some cases at a more advanced examination level (for example in Arabic, ICT and Mathematics), will always be at the heart of this Key Stage, but we place extremely high value on the development of many other skills and attributes. We value very highly students who for example display leadership qualities, who possess integrity and are motivated to succeed, who get involved in extra-curricular activities, who address assemblies and who are sensitive to others and much more besides. There will be numerous opportunities for all students to develop these important life skills.

The pastoral system will play a significant role in your development. Your Form Tutor, Coordinator of Personal, Social and Citizenship Education (PSCE), Head of Year and Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Key Stage Four will act as guide and mentor through the two year course. They will, for example, introduce you to the newly developed self-assessment initiative, which allows you to reflect much more thoughtfully on your progress. He or she will carefully monitor your progress and engage you in scheduled individual conversations to discuss a range of assessment data with you. Some students do require additional support and a mentoring system is available at the start of Year 11 to provide additional guidance. Study Skills sessions are also organised by the Learning Support department for you and a structured coursework guide will be issued to you on arrival to help you plan effectively.

In addition to the preparation for the GCSE examinations, you will follow a two year structured enrichment programme and there will be many opportunities to become involved in class discussions and in whole year group debates about a wide range of topical and though-provoking issues. Recently, we have started to introduce Thinking Skills into this programme to challenge students to think more deeply and laterally to prepare them for the increasingly flexible world of study and work. A Year 11 Careers fair is organised annually and discussions of the Sixth Form A Level programme, higher education and careers are formally structured. The vast majority of our students are university bound and aspire to the professional world. You will be in very good company, we can assure you.

Recently, we have launched a portfolio scheme where all Year 10 students are encouraged to document their contributions to the school and local community. Students are already entering their CVs, personal statements and amassing their varied certificates of achievement ranging from participation in Drama productions, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, Sporting achievements, Model United Nations conferences to Music prizes and much, much more beyond. The portfolio will be important to you if you wish to apply for leadership positions in the school such as Year 11 Prefect or Charity Fun Day Committee member, for example. Beyond this Key Stage of course the portfolio will be equally useful.

A whole team of people is waiting with high expectation to work with you to facilitate your route to success, both curricular and extra-curricular. It is, without doubt, a two year journey of intense excitement and purpose. Welcome!