How our Year 9 pupils choose their GCSE options

In Year 10, pupils will continue to learn some subjects that are compulsory because these subjects develop skills that everyone needs, whatever the plan for the future. They will also, for the first time, have some choice over what they learn. 

Where pupils have a choice, there are factors to consider before they make their decision: what they enjoy; what their strengths are; what the course consists of; what they want to do after Year 11 and also in the future. Pupils may not yet know what they want to do as a future career, in which case we encourage them to make choices that keep their options open and are aspirational. We provide plenty of information, advice and guidance. All of our teachers are well informed and experts in their subjects. 

Pupils will be informed at Year 9 Parents’ Evening which Guided Pathway they have been put on to; blue, yellow, green or red. Every single pupil will have at least one free choice but pupils will also be told that they need to choose one or more subjects from a selection. They must also choose a reserve for each Option choice that they make in case the courses are oversubscribed. Once choices have been collected, we may need to alter the courses that run, particularly if uptake is low. Every effort will be made to give your child the options that they want but in some exceptional cases we may need to discuss them further.