Choosing your Options
We have a two-year Key Stage 3, with students choosing their GCSE/BTEC options in Year 8. This enables students to begin their chosen options in Year 9, providing them with a foundation year prior to Key Stage 4. At Key Stage 4, we want as many pupils as possible to follow the English Baccalaureate as this will provide them with the more choices post-16.
What is the English Baccalaureate?
The English Baccalaureate requires students to take GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, History or Geography and a foreign language.
We want to ensure as many students as possible complete this so that students have access to the best opportunities after Globe. This includes entrance into a Russell Group university and the top professions, with the ultimate goal being that they become leaders in their community and masters of their own destiny.
Courses followed and available at Key Stage 4
| Subject | Exam Board | Additional Notes |
| English Literature | AQA | Macbeth, An Inspector Calls, Jekyll and Hyde
Poetry: Power and Conflict |
| English Language | AQA | |
| Mathematics | Edexcel | |
| Triple Science | AQA | Biology, Chemistry and Physics studied separately and students gain a grade in each science. |
| Combined Science | AQA | Biology, Chemistry and Physics studied separately but students are awarded two grades based upon overall performance. The course covers 2/3 of the Triple Science content. |
| History | AQA | British Paper: Migration, Empire and the People (A study of migration to and from Britain; the rise and fall of the British Empire) & Elizabethan England.
Modern History: The USA 1920-1973 and the Cold War |
| Geography | AQA | |
| Religious Studies | AQA | Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam |
| Spanish | Edexcel | |
| French | Edexcel | |
| Computer Science | OCR | |
| Drama Studies | AQA | |
| Music | OCR | |
| Art | Edexcel | |
| Food Preparation and Nutrition | Eduqas | |
| Media Studies | OCR | |
| Business Studies | Edexcel | |
| Sport Science | OCR National | |
| Prince’s Trust Achieve Programme | Prince’s Trust | This forms part of our alternative curriculum and gives students the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in education. |
How does the Options Process work?
The Options’ Process begins with students being given an assembly around the choices that they have to make. All students will study English, Maths and Science.
Those following the English Baccalaureate pathway will choose:
- A GCSE in History OR Geography
- A GCSE in Spanish OR French
- 2 other GCSEs (Please see the Options’ Booklet for details of the courses on offer).
We will also offer an Intermediate pathway will. Students on this pathway will choose:
- 2-3 GCSEs
Those students on the Intermediate pathway will have additional Maths and English to ensure they maximise their attainment in these subjects, as they are key to students’ post-16 progression.
Students will make their initial choice which then be presented to parents during an Options Evening. During this time, parents will have the opportunity to meet subject leads of the different subjects and will also be able to review their child’s options.
Final choices will be need to be confirmed by the end of April. Once choices have been confirmed, there will be little room for changes to be made. Therefore, it is important that students make the right choices so that students make the most of Year 9.
Please see the options process here:
Options Booklet
Options Information Assembly Main
Here you can find information about Functional Skills .
