Key Stage 4 Qualifications
Useful websites and links:
What qualification levels mean - Gov.uk
For more information about the opportunities available to young people in our local area, please have a look at the Students and Parents/Carers Padlet from the Somerset Careers Hub:
Please use the following link to navigate to the full website: Students & Parents/Carers
Key Stage 4 overview 2025 onwards
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you offering all of these subjects?
At Hill View School, we are committed to developing a broad and balanced curriculum offer that can be adapted based upon the academic and personal needs and interests of our students, aligning with our school vision. We are dedicated to ensuring that this offer enables our students to continue to develop once they leave us (post-16), for example, by successfully gaining (and maintaining) placements on supported internships, in apprenticeships and in further education.
Will my child take all of these subjects?
Not necessarily, it depends upon the needs of each individual student, taking into account their future aims and ambitions.
If my child completes Entry Level 3 Functional Skills Maths, do they have to do the same level in English?
No, the decision about the level of qualification students will take will depend upon their academic ability in that area, also being aware of specific needs. Each subject will be looked at in isolation from the others, ensuring that a bespoke package at the right level for each qualification subject is offered for each student.
If my child is completing Level 1 Functional Skills English, as decided at the start of Key Stage 4, does that mean that they cannot complete a higher (or lower) qualification in that subject whilst at Hill View School?
Students will have baseline assessments at the start of Key Stage 4 to ensure that we place them on the correct academic route, particularly within Maths and English. We hope that this will ensure a smooth delivery of the appropriate curriculum to each student. We will also regularly reflect upon the progress of students during their time with us and if we find that they should be working towards a higher level of qualification, we will change their route. Equally, if we find that a student is struggling, there is the option for them to try a lower level of qualification instead.
There are lots of different qualifications available within the Option blocks. How does this work?
NCFE has a huge suite of qualifications and units available for our students to access; the option block details give a flavour of what is on offer. As a school, we will work with individual students to identify the most appropriate units and qualifications for them to take at Key Stage 4. This will include 1:1 careers advice and guidance meetings as well as wider class discussions. It is likely that this offer will develop over time as our students experience their Key Stage 4 learning, and will also depend upon the availability of specialist staff (where appropriate) in order to deliver specific units, for example within Construction.