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Y9 Options Evening – Thursday 22nd January 2026

Thursday 8 January 2026

Dear Parents / Carers,

Re: Y9 Options Evening

I am writing to you with information regarding your child’s Year 9 Option Evening event. This year our options evening will be held on Thursday 22nd January. This is the key calendared evening in the options process, with supporting activities and information taking place in school to support students making well informed decisions regarding future studies. Our aim at Hanham Woods Academy is to support you and your child through this process.

Two key dates for your calendars are:

  • Thursday 22nd January – Year 9 Options evening with copies of form to complete, information from Miss Barnes and Mr Ballard along with opportunities to meet with subject leaders to discuss the courses in more detail.

You will need to book into one of two slots: 4:15pm or 5:15pm using the following form:

Year 9 Options evening – Thursday 22nd January 2026 – Fill in form

 Thursday 5th February – Year 9 Parents Evening with opportunities to discuss choice of options with your child’s teachers.

It is important that your child chooses subjects and methods of study that interest and motivate them taking into consideration what they enjoy doing, what keeps them interested in something and what motivates them work hard.

Valid reasons for choosing a subject/course:

  • You are good at the subject
  • You think you will enjoy the course
  • It fits your career ideas and plans
  • It goes well with your other choices
  • It helps to give you plenty of choice at Post–16
  • You think you might want to continue studying it at post-16
  • Your research shows that it will interest you and motivate you to learn

Invalid reasons for choosing a subject/course:

  • Your friends have chosen it
  • You think it will be easy
  • You think it’s a good option for your gender
  • Someone else thinks it is a good idea for you
  • You like the teacher you have now
  • You did not have time to research your options properly

Below is a timeline of this process:

 

TERM 3

·         Options assembly and small group sessions for those absent in term 3.

·         Options booklet printed and given out to every student (this will also be available on the Academy website) – please ask to see this at home and spend time with your child researching the courses we have on offer.

·         Options assemblies every week during tutor time. The purpose of these assemblies is to enable teachers to clarify what students can expect from each course on offer.

·         Lesson time dedicated for students to sign up to and use the careers website: https://www.liketobe.org/ – this will help students explore future careers.

·         PSHE sessions in term 2 and 3 to focus on careers.

·         1-to-1 careers appointment commence with the Academy Careers Advisor, Miss Mujkic.

·         Careers appointments continue

·         Year 9 Options evening with copies of form to complete and deadline shared Thurs 22nd Jan

·         Year 9 Parents Evening Thursday 5th Feb

·         Deadline for option request forms Thursday 12th February

Term 4 ·         SLT checks with your child the options requested

·         Further one-to-one meetings with tutor and SLT to ensure your child has made the best informed choice

If you have any queries regarding the options process, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s tutor in the first instance.

Best wishes,

Helen Barnes

Assistant Principal