Welcome to the options homepage where you will find all the information you need to make the right choices so you can BE READY for your future.

Note – this homepage is for the Year 9 students choosing their options in March/April 2024. Future GCSE options may change.

Timeline

The key dates for the options process will be updated below :

Week beginning 7th April 2025 – Options Assembly

Options assembly where the full process will be introduced to students.

April and May

Tutor time sessions dedicated to careers and option choices. This will be followed by tutor conversations with tutees about the potential choices.

8th May 2025 – Option subjects workshop evening                                       

Workshop evening for Year 9 students and parents to attend to find out about options subjects.

The timetable for the Option subjects workshop evening will be posted here.

9th May 2025 – Options form available                                      

Release date of the options form. This will be an electronic form emailed directly to student school email addresses. Once the form is submitted changes can be made up until the deadline date below.

Monday 19th May 2025 – Deadline for options form                                    

Deadline for submission of the options form. After this date the timetable will be built based on the submissions, therefore changes will not be possible.

Key information

All options information is available in the options booklet. A copy is available for students on Showbie and a copy will also be emailed directly home to parents too. The latest copy of the options booklet will be displayed here.

Core Curriculum – Most students will study a core compulsory curriculum with exams at the end of Year 11. This curriculum has been designed to meet the Government’s ambition that the majority of students should follow the EBacc pathway. More information can be found about the EBacc here: English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Therefore the majority of our students will study a core curriculum of:

• English Language and English Literature 
• Mathematics
• Science
• Religious Studies (examined at the end of Year 10)
• Geography or History* 
• French or Spanish (based on the subject you have studied at KS3)**

Students will also study the following compulsory subjects that do not have an examination 

• Physical Education 
• PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health, and Citizenship Education) 

Options Curriculum 

On top of the above subjects students have additional options available to them. The number of options available to students will depend on their chosen Science Pathway.

The trilogy science pathway is worth 2 GCSEs and students will be able to choose 2 further option subjects from the list below. 

The separate science pathway is worth 3 GCSEs and students will be able to choose 1 further option subject from the list below. 

You should discuss your science pathway with your science teacher. We recommend that electing for the separate science pathway is based on a desire for a science based further study or career.

Option Subjects

Click on the subject below to find out more information about the subject.

• Art and Design 
• Business ,GCSE (Cannot be chosen with Business Enterprise) 
• Business Enterprise, Level 2 BTEC (Cannot be chosen with Business GCSE) 
• Computer Science
• Drama
• Design Technology – Product Design (Cannot be chosen with Textiles) 
• Design Technology – Textiles (Cannot be chosen with Product Design) 
• Food Preparation and Nutrition
• Modern Foreign Languages* – French/Spanish
• Geography 
• Health and Social Care, Level 2 BTEC
• History
• iMedia, Level 2 Cambridge National 
• Music
• Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics as three discrete GCSE subjects)
• Sport, Level 2 BTEC 

* It is possible to choose both History and Geography if this is desired

** Some students may be able to study two languages. Please speak to Mrs Gannon in the first instance if this is something you wish to pursue. Students who are fluent in another language may also be able to sit an examination in this language. Please speak to Mr Cooper if this is the case.

Careers advice using the Morrisby platform

Options checklist and Student Advice

Do:

• Consider whether your choices are flexible for a variety of routes post 16.
• Think about progression into the Sixth Form where a range of A level and vocational courses are available.
• Think about why you like or dislike subjects.
• Think about which subjects you enjoy and why and find out about the new subjects on offer.

Don’t:

• Choose a subject just because you like the teacher.  You may not have them next year.
• Choose a subject because you think it is easy.  All exam subjects will be demanding.
• Choose a subject because your friend is doing it.  You may have different career plans and may end up in different groups.

Next Steps for Parents

• Read the detailed information on this homepage. Ensure that your son/daughter attends the options workshop evening for the subjects they are considering to choose. They can also watch all of the subject videos, even if you son/daughter says they are not interested in the subject, as it may inform their choices.
• Complete the Options choice form with your child by before the deadline of Monday 19th May.

Important information to consider:

• You will be asked for a reserve subject. This may be used in the event that we are unable to offer your chosen combination of subjects.
• We cannot guarantee that you will get exactly what you ask for. This will depend on the demand for each subject and staffing limits. We will design the timetable to match requests but if there is an unexpected demand for a particular subject then the school is not in the position to employ extra teachers to create another class.
• The final decision on which options a students sits rests with the school, although we will always seek to act in consultation with students and parents where possible.