GCSE options guide 2026-28 - For Year 9 students and parents

Sep 5, 2026

GCSE options guide 2026-28 for Year 9 students and parents explains how to choose four GCSE subjects alongside core subjects, with clear guidance on compulsory options and reserve choices. It outlines key dates for assemblies, information evening, forms, reporting, and confirmation of choices, then describes course requirements for core subjects including Combined Science and Triple Science, plus additional after-school GCSEs such as Astronomy and Latin.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages76

Reading Time3 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Options key dates

The Process

Core subjects and compulsory choices

Four option blocks

Considering future careers

Choosing GCSEs and course requirements

Option Choices

Core subjects at Key Stage 4 (KS4)

Optional subjects at KS4

Additional subjects at KS4 (after school)

GCSE options guide 2026-28 For students and parents in Year 9 Inspiring lives through learning Introduction Hello everyone. This is an exciting time for our Year 9 students who for the first time have the opportunity to chose some of the subjects they study. This is such an important time for them, together with you, to make sure that they make the right, aspirational choices for themselves to give them the best opportunities for their futures-whether that is in employment, at university and/or on an apprenticeship. We hope that you find this Options Guide useful in helping to decide which four options to choose to study at GCSE, alongside the core subjects that all students will study. I personally look forward to talking to students in assembly about their options and to meeting parents/carers at our upcoming Information Evening-both in January-see Key Dates below! At both of these events, I will explain all aspects of the process and how we as a school, will be supporting students all the way through this process. Mrs Lees Assistant Headteacher and Transition Lead Options key dates | Monday 5th January | Options Assembly (all of Year 9) and options advice during EFL lessons | | --- | --- | | Wednesday 7th January | Options Information Evening (open to
parents/carers/students) . Please choose to attend one of two available sessions (5.15-6.00pm OR 6.30pm-7.15pm) .
GCSE Options site will go live and key information emailed to parents/carers. | | Friday 30th January | Year 9 Report 2 published | | Tuesday 3rd February | Year 9 PTC-focusing on Options decisions | | Friday 6th February | Options form live (open for two weeks) | | Monday 23rd February | Options Form submission deadline (8.00am) | | w/c 16th June | Confirmation of Options Choices (via email) | The Process Core subjects + (at least) one compulsory subject All students must study the core subjects (highlighted in blue on pages 6-15), plus at least one compulsory subject-these are listed below and marked with a star in the course information: (Triple) Science Computer Science History Geography A Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Mandarin, Spanish) Four options choices We ask you to pick four subjects to study at GCSE (beyond the core subjects that all students study). You also are asked to provide some reserve choices. We will be grouping subject choices into four option blocks-this will be clear on your form when you complete it. If your choices are not possible due to timetabling constraints, we will talk to you about alternatives. Considering future careers Before you start making your choices it’s a good idea to start thinking about possible careers you might like to pursue and consider all the option subjects. If you head to the 'Careers' section of our website, you can find out where to get help and guidance about option subjects required for particular career pathways. Choosing GCSEs and course requirements In this guide you will find information about the core courses that you will study and the range of the optional subjects that you will select from. Please note: Not all subjects lead to a GCSE qualification. Some subjects are vocational and lead to BTEC or other vocational qualifications. These subjects are equivalent to GCSE but are more practically based. All students, whether they study the core Combined Science GCSE, or choose Triple Science as an option, will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Triple Science, each subject is studied in greater depth and assessed separately, leading to three individual GCSEs (one in Biology, one in Chemistry and one in Physics). In Combined Science, the three subjects are taught together in amore integrated way and lead to two GCSEs awarded as Combined Science. Astronomy and Latin are additional GCSE subjects. These lessons take place after school for 1.5 hours per week. Option Choices Core subjects at Key Stage 4 (KS4

FAQs

How many GCSE option subjects do students need to choose for 2026-28?

Students choose four GCSE subjects (in addition to the core subjects all students study) and also provide some reserve choices.

What is the difference between Combined Science and Triple Science for GCSE requirements?

Combined Science studies Biology, Chemistry and Physics together and leads to two GCSEs. Triple Science studies each subject in greater depth and leads to three separate GCSEs.

Where can families find support and guidance when making option decisions?

Families are directed to attend the Options Assembly and the Options Information Evening, and can also use the school website’s Careers section for help relating option subjects to career pathways.

Sep 5, 2026

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