Sent to parents and carers of Year 9 students on 10/04/26
Year 9 Pathway Information for KS4
Thursday 30 April 2026
As you will likely be aware, Year 9 completes the Key Stage 3 period of your child’s secondary education. During Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4), students will follow a curriculum made up of compulsory core subjects and also subjects chosen by them. The core curriculum subjects are English, Maths, Science, Physical Education and PSHE. Students will be able to choose additional subjects that they would like to study within an assigned pathway.
In order to further explain the process, we would like to invite you to attend our Year 9 Pathway Evening on Thursday 30 April 2026. The evening runs between 6.00pm – 7.45pm. At this evening, detailed information will be provided about Key Stage 4 subjects by subject teams in the sports hall. It is crucial that parents/carers attend with their child, in order to be able to help students choose the subjects appropriate to them. Introductory talks explaining the pathway process will take place in the main hall at the following times:
16:00 – 16:20 for students with surnames – A to L
16:30 – 16:50 for students with surnames – M to Z
It is important that all parents/carers attend the introductory talk before going to the sports hall. All parents/carers with surnames M to Z should arrive with their child no earlier than 16:30. This will allow all parents/carers to receive as much information as possible, before entering the sports hall. Following the presentation in the main hall, parents will have an opportunity to speak to staff and student ambassadors from each of the subject areas in the sports hall.
Week commencing Monday 20 April, students will have a daily assembly with Mr Hawkes, me and some of our subject Team Leaders. In the weeks commencing Tuesday 5 and Monday 11 May, Year 9 students will be submitting their subject choices in school, during a PSHE lesson. Please encourage your child to attend the Pathways Evening with you and speak to subject staff, in order to help inform their final decisions.
We have produced an online Year 9 Pathway Guide for 2026 which you can find here on our website as a digital flip document:
Pathways Guide 2026 – Flipbook – Page 1
We will be communicating home the pathway colour that your child has been allocated after the Easter break. This will enable you to take the time to discuss what subjects your child may be interested in studying ahead of the pathways evening on Thursday 30 April.
The start of Key Stage 4 marks a most significant and very important step on your child’s academic journey, as we look to fully prepare them for both employment and life, after leaving the academy. We hope that you will be able to join us in supporting your child with completing this process. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below.
Regards
Mr R Hawkes – Assistant Principal
Email: richard.hawkes@attrust.org.uk
&
Mr M Agate – Head of Year 9
Email: matthew.agate@attrust.org.uk
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315