Year 9

Welcome to the Year 9 Hub

This page contains all the essential information, updates, and resources needed to support your child's journey in Year 9.

Year 9 is a pivotal milestone in a student's secondary school journey. As the final year of Key Stage 3, it acts as the gateway to Key Stage 4. This year, students will consolidate their foundational knowledge, take on greater leadership roles, and make critical decisions about their GCSE and vocational option choices for the years ahead.

Key Staff

Name Role
To Be Confirmed Head of Year 9
To Be Confirmed Pastoral for Year 9
Mrs H Doran Medical Needs Officer
Mrs S Murphy Safeguarding Officer
Mrs K Brenson SENDCO

Admissions

Free School Meals

House System

Letters Home​SafeguardingUniform & Equipment

Key Dates For The Diary 2026-27

Date Event
Wednesday 2 September First Day Back at School
Thursday 24 September School Photos - All Years
Friday 27 November INSET Day
Monday 7 December Flu Vaccinations
Tuesday 8 December Parents Evening
Monday 4 January INSET Day
Monday 18 January DTP/MEN Vaccinations
Tuesday 23 February DTP/MEN Vaccinations Catch Ups
Monday 12 April INSET Day
Tuesday 27 April Options Evening

Please note that these dates are subject to change. Should any adjustments be made, we will notify all parents immediately.

2026 Flu Vaccination Session

Main Date: Monday 7 December

Catch-Ups: Any catch-ups will be done at a Community Clinic by appointment only

The link for the electronic form and information about the vaccination will be found here closer to the date.

2027 DTP/MEN Vaccination Session

Year 9 students are due their DTP/MEN Vaccination this year. The DTP/MEN Vaccination helps protect both boys and girls from Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio.

Main Date: Monday 18 January

Catch-Ups: Tuesday 23 February

The link for the electronic form and information about the vaccination will be found here closer to the date.

The GCSE Options Pathway

The defining feature of Year 9 is selecting the subjects students will study for their qualifications in Years 10 and 11. Our guided choices program ensures everyone maintains a balanced, ambitious curriculum.

The Options Timeline

Parents & Options Evening

Tuesday 27 April 2027

An evening for parents/carers and students to meet with subject teachers to discuss suitability, predicted grades, and course requirements. Option booklets will be handed out for students to take home with them.

Final Options Deadline

May 2027

The digital submission Google Form closes, usually two weeks after the Options Evening. The school timetabling team begins building individual student schedules based on these choices.

Homework & Home Learning

Independent study increases slightly in Year 9 to prepare students for the demands of revision. Expect roughly 45 minutes per subject, totalling 90 minutes on scheduled evenings.

Recommended Home Learning Portals

  • Seneca Learning: Excellent platform where Year 9 students can preview introductory GCSE modules and test their knowledge retrieval.
  • Sparx Maths & Sparx Reader: Tailored weekly homework designed to target individual gaps before entering Key Stage 4 bands.

Sparx Maths

Sparx Reader

Seneca

Advice for Parents & Carers

The "Year 9 Dip" is a common phrase in education, but it can be avoided with the right balance of support and boundaries.

Navigating Option Stress: Remind your child to choose subjects based on their own strengths, interests, and future goals—not based on what their friends are choosing or which teacher they currently prefer. Support the shift to revision: Year 9 assessments require active revision (flashcards, mind maps), not just passive reading. Help them practice these methods early.
Prioritise sleep health: Screen-free wind-down time before bed remains the single most effective way to protect focus, mood, and academic performance. Keep channels open: Talk about careers, post-16 paths, and interests casually to help de-mystify the choices they are making this year.

Digimaps

Digimapforschools Website

Kemnal Technology College Login Details

Username: DA145AA5
Password: vothed4362

If you have any issues with logging in or queries please email Mrs Luff at: