This week saw Brentford School for Girls’ Year 8 students and their parents attend the annual GCSE Options evening to begin the process of making considered choices for their studies at Key Stage 4.

Students were able to meet with subject leaders in subjects that they have been studying in Year 7 and 8 such as French, Spanish, Art and Drama in addition to exciting new additions to their Key Stage 4 curriculum including subject leaders in Sociology, Photography and Film Studies alongside those in charge of vocational qualifications like Digital Information Technology and Performing Arts.

Prior to the event, all Year 8 students engaged in a specially designed careers day to help them with their choices. This included developing their enterprise schools, considering higher education, and meeting numerous professionals. The afternoon speed networking session with the professionals who gave up their time enabled students to find out different routes into several careers ranging from design to law to science.

The coming months will see students receive a wide range of focused careers guidance that will enable them to make the right choices – ensuring their chosen pathway of study aligns with their future academic and career aspirations.

Leaders at Brentford School for Girls are clear that the three year Key Stage 4 provision offered to their students allows all to pursue their interests and gain success in the context of a broad and balanced education. Students are deliberatively provided with a less stressful and more personalised route of study for pupils, ensuring that a broad offer of option subjects can be followed. Pupils complete their full national curriculum entitlement at KS3 in all subjects, taught discretely. The students in Year 8 that we spoke to were clear that they felt engaged and challenged from their first day of school were excited by the opportunities to attend a wide range of subject related trips and visits that are available to them throughout Years 9, 10 and 11.

It is clearly an exciting time with students, parents and teachers at the school committed to ensuring that every one of the girls makes the right choices to open doors for her future. We send our very best wishes to all involved!