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Year 9 GCSE Options’ Information

Choosing GCSE options is an opportunity for students to think about what they would like to study in KS4. It begins the process of thinking about the future.

GCSE Options Booklet

 

 

In January, the Director of Learning for Year 9 launches the options’ process. GMS have become masters of the well-rehearsed process of supporting all Year 9 students to select the best GCSE options for them.

Once the Options’ presentations and talks, in assemblies and in form time, have finished students are given access to the Options’ Booklet, which is uploaded to the website. Parents, carers, wider family, friends and staff all can help in clarifying the best options for an individual student.

There is a Microsoft (MS) form to be filled in by students, which is sent to their GMS school email account on a specified date that is advertised well in advance. It is important that every student can access their emails for this process.

At GMS we strive to accommodate the option choices of every student: it does not work on the ‘first come, first served’ principal. Every student is urged to take time, over the Easter break, to consider carefully what GMS offers and what is best for them.

Students choose four option subjects, plus two reservation choices. The core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science are fixed.

The first option must be chosen from the following subjects: Computer Science, French, Geography, History or Spanish. The remaining three options are a free choice, with one exception that only one DT option is permissible, so students choose DT Resistant Materials, DT Graphics or DT Textiles.

The option choices, on the official form, must be listed in order of preference, just in case the timetable cannot accommodate all the options selected.

The final deadline for completing the form varies every year, but it generally falls at the end of April.

Once the form has been completed and submitted it cannot be changed. It is imperative, therefore, that it is correct at the point of uploading to the GMS site.

The Year 9 make important decisions, GMS hopes they engage and enjoy choosing subjects they wish to commit to for two years of study.

GCSE Options Resources

GCSE Options Booklet 2025-27

Download and view a PDF version of the GCSE Options Booklet. A guide for Year 9 in choosing their options and what subjects are available to them at GCSE