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GCSE Options

How pupils choose their GCSE subjects.

GCSE Options

Choosing your GCSE subjects

The Options process starts for pupils in Year 8 when they choose the subjects that they would like to study in Year 9.

The process

A two-stage options journey

Stage 1 · Year 8

Choose subjects for Year 9

In Year 9, pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Studies, Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE), Physical Education and Games. PSHE and PE Games are non-GCSE courses. All pupils are required to continue studying at least one Modern Foreign Language through to GCSE.

Stage 2 · Year 9

Refine for GCSE study

Once in Year 9, a second options process takes place inviting pupils to refine their choices further for Year 10. These will be the GCSE subjects that they study in Years 10 and 11.

Year 9 curriculum

What every Year 9 pupil studies

In Year 9, pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Studies, Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE), Physical Education and Games. PSHE and PE Games are non-GCSE courses. All pupils are required to continue studying at least one Modern Foreign Language through to GCSE.

Optional subjects in Year 9

Additional ‘optional’ subjects are Art, Business and Economics, Citizenship, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, Food Science, History, Geography, Music and PE.

Year 10 GCSE study

Core subjects plus your options

In year 10, pupils must study GCSE in; English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (Combined or Trilogy), one Language and Religious Studies (all core subjects). In addition, they must take Personal, Social and Health Education and Physical Education Games – these are non GCSE courses and part of the compulsory element of the National Curriculum.

In addition to the core subjects, pupils must choose two or three subjects (depending on whether he chose Double or Triple Science from the following subjects:

He can choose a second language as one of his option choices if he so wishes.

Options questions?

Speak to the Head of Curriculum or your child's Year Leader for guidance.

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