GCSE Options Guidance

Options Booklet

Year 9 is the time students are able to choose the subjects they want to continue into Year 10 and 11. We encourage every student to take a long-term view of their personal future and recognise that the decisions they make now will have an important influence on their further study and careers once they leave school. Information on the options and qualifications offered and instructions for how students should register their choice of study options are in the Options Booklet 2024. We would encourage parents and students to read through this together.

Options Booklet 2024

Our Expectation: every student leaves with at least 8 qualifications

Brannel students are expected to achieve at least 8 qualifications, from the groups detailed below:

Group 1. Compulsory (3 GCSEs)

English Language, English Literature, Mathematics

Group 2. Ebacc (at least 3 GCSEs)

Either Choose an additional one from French, Geography, History or Spanish

Plus Combined Science (2 GCSEs), Unless you have chosen Triple Science (3 GCSEs)

Group 3. Open (2 GCSEs or Vocational Awards)

The full range of options can be viewed in detail in the Options Booklet. These include: Animal Care, Art, Child Development, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama, French, Geography, History, Food, Creative iMedia, Music, Photography, PE, Triple Science, Spanish.

Useful Links

Students begin their two-year courses in September of Year 10 and take their final examinations in Summer of Year 11. This gives them valuable qualifications for further education, training and/or apprenticeships. All students must continue in some form of education and/or training until they are 18 and many beyond this. It is therefore important that students consider what qualifications would be most suitable for their preferred Post 16 options and their future career opportunities. Information and advice for Post 16 options and beyond is available through the school and you may also find these links and resources useful.

Callywith College  

Cornwall College

Newquay Tretherras

The Apprenticeship Guide 

Truro and Penwith College 

UCAS

The Russell Group, which represents the top 24 universities in the UK, provide a useful guidance document about making subject choices at school, called Informed Choices.

For any queries regarding options, please contact Mr Blizzard, Options Lead [email protected] or Mrs Harris, [email protected].