Yr9 Options Booklet 2024-2026 - GCSE 2024 to 2026 Options Information

Sep 5, 2026

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Year 9 options guidance for Salesian College Farnborough outlining GCSE pathways for 2024–2026, including core requirements, option subject groupings, and rules for Triple Science versus Combined Science. Explains the purpose of flexible option choices, the value of maintaining breadth, and constraints based on student demand. Summarizes GCSE grading on a 9–1 scale and describes examining boards and assessment aims across subjects, with an overview of exam versus coursework weighting.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

GCSE and Certification & Grades

Subject Overview

CORE CURRICULUM

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

The College Chaplaincy

Making Your Choice

SALESIAN COLLEGE FARNBOROUGH YEAR 9 OPTIONS INFORMATION GCSE 2024 – 2026 CONTENTS Introduction GCSE and Certification & Grades Grading GCSEs since 2017 Subject Overview CORE CURRICULUM English Language and English Literature Mathematics Religious Education Microsoft Office Specialist GCSE Science Options GCSE Combined Science Biology Chemistry Physics Careers OPTIONAL SUBJECTS Art Business Classics Computer Science Design and Technology Drama French Geography History Music Physical Education and Games Spanish The College Chaplaincy Making Your Choice INTRODUCTION This booklet is produced as a guide for our Year 9 boys and their parents in order to outline possible options available at GCSE. Its overall purpose is to provide relevant and useful information on the courses and subjects offered so that staff, parents and pupils can decide together which subjects would be most beneficial to study in the next two academic years (2024-2026) . Heads of Department and Subject Leaders have provided information highlighting course content in order that informed choices can be made. At 13 or 14 years of age it is unrealistic to expect pupils to have much idea of the kind of work they want to do after their full-time education is finished. On the other hand, parents take a longer-term view and think ahead of career possibilities for their children. This is why the options are made as flexible as possible. They encourage pupils to keep their options open and maintain as much breadth as possible for later courses and careers. You need to consider fully the implications in the choice of subjects to be studied. It isnot only those subjects that are to be continued into Years 10 and 11 that determine eventual careers, but also those that are not continued in Year 10. If options are chosen wisely a sensible breadth of education is possible-allowing for uncertainties-but still permitting interests and careers to develop. All students take 10 GCSEs. They must take English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Religious Studies. All students in Year 10 will also take a Core Computing Course. They then must choose: Either Triple Science (which leads to three GCSEs in the separate sciences) + any three option subjects Or Combined Science (which counts for two science GCSEs) + any four option subjects. The subjects chosen should give a broadly balanced education. This is why we require that at least one of these options is a modern language for the majority of students. The College will make every effort to respond to the wishes of each pupil and we are usually able to cater in full for the needs of the vast majority. However, a course can only be offered if there is a sufficient number of pupils who wish to pursue it. GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION All courses lead to examinations for the GCSE. At Salesian College we use three different examining boards: PEARSON (EDEXCEL): Biology, Chemistry, French, Geography, History, Maths, Music, Physics, Religious Studies, Combined Science and Spanish AQA: Art, Business, Design Technology, Drama, English and Physical Education OCR: Classics and Computer Science Although there are different examining boards, the system is designed to uphold uniform standards and the decision about which Board is used is taken by the Head of Department in consultation with the Senior Deputy Headteacher. All pupils are awarded certificates indicating their level of achievement in each subject taken. The GCSE examination aims to identify what a pupil knows, understands, and can do. The examiners take into account knowledge and understanding of the subject, the ability to handle information and solve problems, experimental and investigational skills, and reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. All these are tested in a variety of ways including (according to the subject) written examination, oral work, presentation of individual enquiries a

FAQs

What GCSE subjects are compulsory for all students in Year 9?

All students must take English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and Religious Studies. In Year 10, students also take a Core Computing course.

What is the difference between Triple Science and Combined Science for options?

Triple Science leads to three separate GCSEs in the sciences, plus any three option subjects. Combined Science counts for two science GCSEs, plus any four option subjects.

Which examining boards does the college use and what subjects are associated with each?

The booklet lists Pearson (Edexcel), AQA, and OCR. Pearson includes subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, French, Geography, History, Maths, Music, Physics, Religious Studies, Combined Science, and Spanish; AQA includes Art, Business, Design Technology, Drama, English, and Physical Education; OCR includes Classics and Computer Science.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Melati