Year 8 Guided Choices for GCSE

Welcome to the Year 8 Guided Choices Information Page.

A quick introduction film: Year 8 Options Film

This is an exciting time for our Year 8 students as they start the next steps towards their qualifications at KS4, and towards their futures. It is straightforward process of choices, but can be overwhelming; we aim to provide support and discussion along the way to ensure the best possible provision for their futures studies.

What is Core Curriculum?

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum is made up of a mixture of “core” subjects and “options” subjects. To meet the requirements of the national curriculum, all students study English+, Maths, Science*, Religious Studies (Ethics) and Physical Education. The core curriculum is approximately 17 periods a week. The remaining 8 periods form part of our Guided Choices programme through access to up to 4 more qualifications.

+English: Comprises of both Language and Literature. Both subjects must be studied

*Science: Triple or Combined will be defined during Year 9

At the end of Year 11, students will sit exams for either Combined Science (covering GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics, worth two GCSEs) or Separate Sciences (separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, worth three GCSEs).

The selection for which course is suitable takes place in Year 10 and will be decided based on progress in science throughout Years 9 and 10. Therefore all students will study the same course until Year 10. The subject content for both types of examination is largely similar with all students studying Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as part of the course. However, those who sit the separate GCSEs will require a larger subject knowledge than for Combined Science, and each exam paper has a longer duration.

Both courses allow students the opportunity to take Higher tier exams as well as Foundation, however, the expectation would be that students on the triple science course would take the higher tier exam papers. Obtaining two GCSEs through Combined Science as opposed to three GCSEs through Triple Science does not restrict students from applying for science courses beyond GCSE.

Similarly, those students who choose Sports Studies will study a core programme throughout Year 9, selection for either CNAT or GCSE entry will take place at the end of Year 9 and the decision based upon progress. From the start of Year 10 onwards, until the end of the course, students will study their subject of entry, either CNAT or GCSE.

What is the Breadth Suite?

This year (2026), the government has made some changes to the national curriculum. From now on, there is an expectation that all students gain qualifications in at least two of the following categories. The Department for Education refers to these as adding “breadth” to a student’s curriculum and this is more extensive than the previous guidance.

Open Suite

Students then make two additional choices from the full list of subjects (and one further reserve). The vast majority of students will achieve 10 qualifications by the end Year 11. And our process offers a good amount of choice so that students can find a combination of subjects that suits their personality, their strengths and their ambitions.

Terminology

• Controlled Assessment: work that must be produced in school under the supervision of a member of staff and makes up a percentage of the final grade.

• NEA: Non-exam assessment, which is research or project-based work or an assessment of practical skills in subjects such as engineering. NEA is the current exam board terminology for coursework and makes up a proportion of the final grade.

• External Assessment: Work that will be assessed by an exam.

Some courses in KS4 will have an element of controlled assessment or NEA and a final exam or set of exams, each of which contributes a certain proportion to the final overall grade. Your son or daughter will receive a wide range of support on how to prepare effectively for exams, throughout Years 9-11, from their class teachers, form tutor and through extended curriculum days.

Information evenings throughout these years, will also help you to understand the exam procedures and provide practical ideas for how best to support their revision at home as you progress through your KS4 years.

How do we support our students?

• 1-to-1 academic mentoring with their form tutor.
• Appointments with a qualified careers advisor.
• Regular target setting, assessment and review meetings.
• Adapting our curriculum and teaching to suit students’ needs.
• Additional interventions beyond their lessons.
• Regular communication with families.

The key questions to discuss at home and with tutors & subject teachers when choosing options for Years 9 – 11 will be:

• In which subjects am I most likely to succeed?
• Which subjects do I enjoy?
• Which subjects will enable me to progress to my preferred further education course(s)?

We would strongly encourage every student to consider carefully a range of courses that will enable them to succeed and progress appropriately. For most, it is important to maintain a well-balanced curriculum that gives opportunities for different styles of learning and study and broad progression routes post 16.

Link here to our Curriculum Maps

Timeline

GCSE Options Process

Our GCSE options process begins in the Spring Term with Step-Up Taster Days. These give students the opportunity to experience different subjects before making their choices.

This is followed by an Options Guidance Evening, to which all students and families are invited. During this event, you will receive detailed information about the subjects on offer, expectations, and how to select the most appropriate pathway.

After this, a Progress Report update will be shared, along with a Parents’ Consultation Evening, providing an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and suitability for different subjects.

Final option choices will be submitted before the Easter break. The Summer Term is then used to plan teaching groups and confirm students’ subject selections.