KS4 Options

Our options process starts in the Spring Term of Year 9. Pupils receive information regarding option choices in lessons and assemblies. Parents and pupils are invited to our Options Evening in February after which pupils are asked to select their GCSE option choices.

A copy of the options booklet can be found here and the options evening presentation will be available to view after Options Evening.

Once the options form has been emailed directly to pupils, your child will need to log on with their school user and password to access the form.

Key dates:

• Thursday 29th January 2026 - virtual subject parents evening.

This is an opportunity to talk with your child’s subject teachers about their progress and attainment, online, using SchoolCloud. You will receive a letter with details on how to make appointments . 

• Thursday 5th February 2026 - live Options Evening presentation and on-line options form released.

Parents and Carers are invited into school where you will be given an options information booklet and will be able to find out more about the options process. The evening will run from 4.15 – 6.15pm. Subject staff will be available from 4.15 – 5.45pm to discuss courses on offer in Key Stage 4 and the evening will conclude with a talk at 5.45pm explaining the options process. We advise that you arrive by 5pm in order for you to have the time to visit all the option subjects your child may be interested in. 

• Monday 23rd February 2026 - deadline for option choices

Following their option selection, every pupil will have a 1-1 guidance interview to talk through their choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How and when do pupils choose the options?

The options form will be released on Thursday 5th February via email direct to pupils. They click on the link in the email and complete the form online by Monday 23rd February 2026

Is it a first come first served basis for options?

No, the deadline for all pupils is 23rd February. We look at the choices and try to match with staffing and numbers.

Will pupils get their first choices?

Whilst we make every effort to give pupils their first choices, this is not always possible because of timetabling constraints and/or the number of pupils opting for a subject. For this reason, we ask that all pupils indicate a reserve choice on their options form. If a pupil is unable to get their first choices for any reason they will be informed by the end of the spring term (before the Easter break).

How will you check pupils options? 

Guidance interviews will take place following the options deadline. These interviews give the opportunity for the children to have a meeting with a senior member of staff  to talk through their choices and future training/career plans, to check choices and to ask questions. 

 What if a pupil changes their mind?

Once choices are finalised staffing and timetabling for the next academic year begins. Whilst we will do our best to match pupils to courses this may not always be possible once timetabling has begun. 

What are the core subjects? How do you get a total of 8 or 9 GCSEs?

All pupils must study English Literature, English Language, Maths, Science (double or triple award) and core PE, RS and PSHE. These are known as core subjects as they are studied by all pupils. The Core subjects lead to 5 or 6 GCSEs. Pupils choose an additional 3 optional subjects. This gives a total of 8 or 9 GCSEs.

Pupils picked some options last year, from Drama, Music, Computing and Spanish. Are the options they pick now in addition to these?

The children may continue with the 2 subjects they chose in Year 9, if they wish. They must now select a total of 3 subjects.

What if you want to do all 3 humanities subjects?

We advise a broad and balanced curriculum. Talk to your humanities teachers and they will explain to you about the amount of writing and reading involved in these subjects. We advise most pupils to do a maximum of 2 humanities subjects.

For forensics investigation what options would you need to take?

You can find pathway guidance on the website https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs . We also recommend the website https://www.firstcareers.co.uk/. It is important that for specific pathways students look directly at the career requirements and work backwards. A career in forensic science, for example, would require a degree in forensic science, or a degree in another science discipline with a postgraduate award in forensic science.

Is it possible to study 10 GCSEs including Triple Science?

Triple Science takes your core subjects up to 6 and you then have a further 3 option subjects to choose from. It is the quality (grades achieved) rather than the quantity of GCSE which secure future pathways. Some pupils may decide to take a GCSE in their home language which could bring their total number of GCSEs to 10.