Year 9

Mr Norris

A message from the Head of Year 9

Hello and a very warm welcome to all students, parents, and carers! My name is Mr Norris, and I am proud to be the Head of Year 9 at The King John School. Year 9 sits at a pivotal point in the student journey — students are no longer new to secondary school, but they’re also not quite at the exam stage. It’s a year full of discovery, opportunity, and real personal growth, where students begin to Discover their passions, Participate in school life more meaningfully, and Enjoy the process of becoming more independent learners and young adults. These are the final steps before entering Key Stage 4, where the focus shifts towards Applying knowledge, Developing skills, and Exploring their future paths.

Meet the Year 9 Team

My team comprises of Mr Stewart (Assistant Head of Year), Mrs Bates (Student Support Officer), Miss Gatford (Behaviour Lead), and Miss Hewatt-Jaboor (Senior Leadership Link). Supporting our students alongside us is a dedicated team of Form Tutors who see the students daily and offer both academic and pastoral support.

What to Expect in Year 9

In Year 9, students continue to build on the foundations laid in Years 7 and 8. It’s a year of self-discovery—academically, socially, and emotionally. They’ll encounter more challenging curriculum content, be encouraged to take greater responsibility for their learning, and begin to consider their subject preferences as they prepare for their GCSE options later in the year.

Beyond the classroom, students will be encouraged to participate in the wider life of the school—whether that’s through sports, creative arts, clubs, trips, or leadership roles. This participation is key to enjoying school life and developing well-rounded skills.

 Getting the Most Out of Year 9 

To truly flourish this year, students should aim to be the best learners and the best people they can be. That means:

• Being positive about their ability to succeed,
• Showing resilience when things get challenging.
• Having integrity, being accountable, and doing the right thing.
• Treating others with dignity, kindness and respect.
• Ensuring that everyone around them is treated with equality.

I’m incredibly excited for what this year holds and look forward to you as parents being a part of the journey at our Pathways Evening on Wednesday 19th November, and face to face Parents Evening on Thursday 19th March.

As always, if you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Here’s to an inspiring and rewarding Year 9!

Downloads

Student Information Booklet for Working at Home Y9