GCSE Options 2026-2028 - St John’s School Leatherhead

Sep 5, 2026

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St John’s School Leatherhead outlines its (I)GCSE options process for the 2026–2028 cohort, explaining how the Fourth Form begins preparation and how pupils select their chosen GCSE/IGCSE courses during the winter. The document details the compulsory core subjects, the science single vs double award choice, and guidance on choosing optional and additional subjects. It also describes available resources and contacts to support families, and provides subject-specific course and assessment information for English Language IGCSE, including coursework and examination weighting.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

(I)GCSE Courses at St John’s

Core subjects

Optional subjects

Additional options

Resources and contacts

English Language (IGCSE)

What will I study?

How will I be assessed?

Where will this course take me?

ST JOHN’S SCHOOL LEATHERHEAD (I)GCSE OPTIONS 2026-2028 [stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk](stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk) | | (I)GCSE COURSES | CORE SUBJECTS | OPTIONAL SUBJECTS | ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS | FAQS | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | (I)GCSE AT ST JOHN’S At St John’s the Fourth Form maintains the broad and balanced Lower School curriculum and begins to introduce knowledge and skills required for success in (I)GCSEs. During the two years of Fifth Form, St John’s pupils study their chosen (I)GCSE courses which are selected through the options process, which takes place over the winter months of the Fourth Form. The St John’s quali cations are a combination of GCSEs and IGCSEs; all pupils study the following compulsory core subjects which form a nationally recognisable core. Core subjects: • English language • English literature • Mathematics • Science (biology, chemistry and physics) Although science is a core subject, pupils can opt to study either three separate (I)GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics or to study the double award, which is equivalent to two (I)GCSEs, this is the rst choice pupils need to make. The double award requires all three sciences to be studied but has less content, so enables pupils to select an additional optional subject. It should be noted that pupils who study double award science are able to continue to study any of the three separate science subjects at A level. At St John’s we encourage breadth and balance in pupils’ subject choices; a combination from across the subject categories will achieve this. Pupils select three (if electing for separate sciences) or four (if opting for double award) optional subjects from the list. Optional subjects: Arts and Humanities • Classical Civilisation • Fine Art • Geography • History • Latin • Theology, Philosophy & Religion • Modern Foreign Languages Modern Foreign Languages • French • German • Spanish Performing Arts • Dance • Drama • Music Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) • Computer Science • Design and Technology • Sports Science Additional Options (following discussions with the relevant departments) • Additional Mathematics • Classical Greek Following a discussion with the Classics Department, an alternative additional option, is GCSE Classical Greek which is taught outside of our academic timetable. | (I)GCSE COURSES | CORE SUBJECTS | OPTIONAL SUBJECTS | ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS | FAQS | | 2 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Following a discussion with the Mathematics Department, some pupils may also take Additional Mathematics if they are in the appropriate sets; this would add another quali cation to their selection. Furthermore, some young people who speak and may be formally taught another language outside of school can be entered for and sit these examinations at St John’s in a year of their choice. This can be arranged in consultation with the examinations o􀀞cer and would provide an additional quali cation. Option selection beyond the core subjects remains a free choice. The School builds the timetable around these choices and, whilst not every subject combination may be possible, the School endeavours to facilitate all choices that are made before the deadline. To assist in making the best choices, there are a range of resources and contacts available to the Fourth Form and their parents/carers: • Academic reports and parents’evening • Subject teachers and heads of departments • Head of Careers, Ms Teunissen • Pastoral sta􀀝 (tutors and senior house sta􀀝) • Assistant Head (Academic), Mr Coote • Assistant Head (Upper School), Mr Bass | (I)GCSE COURSES | CORE SUBJECTS | OPTIONAL SUBJECTS | ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS | FAQS | | 3 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | CORE SUBJECTS | ENGLISH LANGUAGE | | --- | | ENGLISH LITERATURE | | MATHEMATICS | | BIOLOGY | | CHEMISTRY | | PHYSIC

FAQs

When does the options process take place and how long is the study period?

The options process occurs during the winter months of the Fourth Form. Pupils then study their selected (I)GCSE courses over the two years of the Fifth Form.

What choices are available for science as a core subject?

Pupils can either study three separate (I)GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics, or take the double award equivalent to two (I)GCSEs. Double award science requires all three sciences but has less content, allowing an additional optional subject.

How is the English Language IGCSE assessed?

Assessment includes two coursework pieces (each worth 20% of the final grade) with drafts permitted, plus a final examination worth 60% sat in the final term of Upper Fifth.

Sep 5, 2026

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