Year 9 Courses
Welcome to the Year 9 Options process at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form.
Over the next few weeks, your child will begin choosing the subjects they would like to study in Year 10 and Year 11. This is an important moment in their school journey, and we want to make sure every family understands the process clearly and feels fully supported.
One of the key events in the Options process is our Year 9 Options Evening, which will take place on Thursday 12th March, from 5pm until 7pm, in the Sixth Form block.
During the evening, there will be two identical talks. The first talk is at 5:15pm, and the second talk is at 6:15pm. Both talks contain the same information, so families only need to book one of them.
To attend a talk, you must book a seat in advance using the link sent to you by email. When booking, please make sure you select the correct number of seats for everyone attending. For example, two parents and one student will need three seats. This helps us manage numbers fairly so that all families have access to the theatre.
There is also a third talk at 4:30pm, which is for invited students and parents only. If you have received an invitation for this session, you will be able to book it through the same link. Please do not book onto this talk unless you have received an invitation as you may not be permitted to attend.
We kindly ask that families do not book more than one talk “just in case”, as this prevents others from being able to attend. If younger children need to come with you, and both parents are present, we ask that one parent stays with them in the café area so that theatre seating is available for Year 9 students and their families.
Options Evening is a very important opportunity for students to explore all the GCSE subjects available to them. You will be able to speak with subject leaders and teachers, ask questions about course content and assessment, and learn about the differences between GCSE and vocational qualifications. Careers guidance will also be available throughout the evening to help students think about how their choices link to future pathways.
Even if you do not attend one of the talks, you are still welcome to walk around the subject areas. However, we strongly recommend attending a talk, as it explains the full Options process and helps students make confident, well‑informed decisions.
When you arrive on the evening, please sign in at the registration desk in the Sixth Form block.
We look forward to welcoming you and supporting your child as they make their next steps towards Key Stage 4.
