For all of our students to achieve their personal best and transition successfully from their education at Royds Hall onto a variety of post 16 opportunities and pathways which may include apprenticeships or courses at College. The options process will allow your son/daughter to choose from a range of GCSEs and vocational qualifications, which will allow them to study the subjects that are required nationally and choose some that will fulfil their interests and skill set.

Timeline for the Options Process at Royds Hall

Date(s)	Event	Audience
Thursday 30th January 2025	Options Evening	Parent/Carer(s) and students
February	Options Assemblies	Students
February	Options Taster Sessions	Students
February	Options Online will open	Parent/Carer(s) and students
February	Deadline for Options Online	Parent/Carer(s) and students
March	Options Interviews	Students

Year 10 - 11 Curriculum
We believe very strongly that one of the core purposes of secondary school is to equip all students with a range of skills, which are developed through a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum. These key skills enable Royds Hall students to successfully progress at the age of 16 to a Sixth-Form college, to a vocational course, or into an apprenticeship or job with training. Therefore, the Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) curriculum at Royds Hall is designed to provide a rigorous academic core for all students, alongside a range of curriculum options which enable students to specialise in the subjects they enjoy the most.

In addition to the core curriculum, all students will select a range of options to suit their talents, interests and career aspirations. Overviews of the available subject choices are provided in the Options booklet. Please be aware that whilst every effort is made to run every subject option, final decisions about the curriculum offer are subject to the following constraints: staffing, student demand and availability of specialist rooms.
 

The Core Curriculum

English – all students study English Language and English Literature GCSE.

Mathematics – all students study Mathematics GCSE

Science – all students study either double award Science (leading to 2 GCSEs), or the separate sciences (leading to separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics) 

PSHE, SMSC, Careers, RSE, Citizenship and RE are delivered via the Personal Development Curriculum. This programme is offered on a weekly basis. Form time is used to conduct a fortnightly ‘big debate’ including a PSHE topic. In addition, the assembly programme is mapped to build on the themes covered in Personal Development lessons.

PE – An opportunity to do physical exercise or sport, which supports wellbeing and healthy lifestyle choices.

What is the English Baccalaureate?

English schools are now required to deliver an English Baccalaureate (EBacc) curriculum to the vast majority of its students.

The Government believes that schools should offer students a broad range of academic subjects to the age of 16, and the English Baccalaureate promotes this aspiration.

The EBacc is not a qualification in itself. It will recognise students’ achievements across a core of selected academic subjects in getting good passes (standard pass = Grade 4, good pass = Grade 5) in rigorous GCSEs. The English Baccalaureate will cover achievement in English, Mathematics, Sciences, a Language and a Humanities subject. A student who achieves the English Baccalaureate will, therefore, gain GCSEs at grades 5 and above at Royds Hall in:

• English or in English Language and Literature (Double Award)
• Mathematics
• Two Sciences (Computer Science can count as one Science)
• A Humanities subject (this must be either History or Geography)

• A Modern Foreign Language (at Royds Hall this will be French or Spanish)

• In addition, students will also choose two options, meaning they achieve two additional qualifications to suit their interests, skills and enthusiasm.