Key Stage 4

The Government is currently putting in place a new strategy for 14 to 19 education, including Key Stage 4. Information can be found at TeacherNet's 14 to 19 area, home to a full guide for schools.

Other sources of Key Stage 4 information are:

the QCA website 14 to 19 area
the website of the Working Group on 14 to 19 Reform
the DCSF 14 to 19 site
the Autumn Package on the DCSF Standards Site

Statutory changes to Key Stage 4 will come into force in September 2004. They will affect modern foreign languages and design and technology in particular, as well as introducing a statutory requirement for the provision of work-related learning. These changes should allow more freedom for students at Key Stage 4, giving them a wider range of choice, for example in vocational learning.

See the A to Z of School Leadership and Management for details about D&T and languages becoming an entitlement rather than compulsory at Key Stage 4, or visit the National Curriculum site. The QCA site allows you to download the following documents providing guidance on the Key Stage 4 statutory changes:

Access to the curriculum
Children with autistic spectrum disorders may have difficulty accessing the curriculum. For tips, see the guidance for SEN coordinators and teachers.

GCSE teaching and training
Notes for training overseas or supply teachers to teach GCSEs are now available. This document provides tutors with information and resources on getting participants up to speed with GCSE.

A booster kit has also been launched to help up the level of borderline C/D grade students. Read about the most common mistakes which drag students down one grade, and see the practical tips for helping them to achieve a higher GCSE mark. This also includes a link to the Key Stage 4 Learning Challenge.

The Beyond Study Leave guidance offers advice to help schools improve on traditional study leave and personalised approaches to prepare students for GCSE examinations.

Seeking alternatives to study leave: some case studies provides examples of creative initiatives five schools have taken to improve students' preparations for GCSEs.

The Bridging plans: from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 booklets are designed to help English, mathematics and science departments plan for effective transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4.

There are also several awards that can be gained outside the classroom. These include the Duke of Edinburgh, Young Enterprise, Scout and Guide awards, Weston Spirit and ASDAN. These are accredited with the National Qualifications Framework. To find out more about opportunities in their area, young people can visit their local Connexions service or Youth Service.

The TeacherNet lesson plan reviews are being expanded to include Key Stage 4 over the next few months. For other online teaching resources, see TeacherNet's directory of Useful sites — among the websites which offer or link to resources specifically for Key Stage 4 are:

music for teachers
the National Maritime Museum for astronomy and cosmology resources
the Soil Association for practical activities and environmental games centred on sustainability
Andrew Moore's English Teaching Site
drama lesson plans at the Virtual Drama Studio