Welcome to Options Evening 2026
Mr. Gordon Assistant Headteacher School
Pupils Families
Thoughtful
OptionsProcess
AtMontgomeryAcademy,studentscanshape theirfuturesby:
S Student-leddecisions
H Helpandguidance
A Ambitiousandbalanced
P Pathwaystofuturesuccess
E Enjoymentandengagement
OFSTED May 2024
► The school has overhauled the curriculum offer to ensure that it is broad, ambitious and tailored to pupils’ needs and future success. For example, an increasing number of pupils are choosing to study the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects.
How will this evening run?
5pm - Options presentation 1
Hall
Subject visits
O,Tand E block
Try to leave at 6:15
5:45pm - Options presentation 2
Hall
Subject visits
O,Tand E block
Evening finishes at 7pm
Mr Careless - Key decisions when choosing options this year
Changes this year and key questions to consider
► 4 choices this year for the first time ► Separate Science or Combined Science? ► History, Geography, Computer Science or French?
COMPASS? - Places and entry criteria
CORE SUBJECTS
You will all study the following subjects:-
* Mathematics (G.C.S.E.)
* English Language (G.C.S.E.)
* English Literature (G.C.S.E.)
* Science – either 2 or 3 G.C.S.E.s
Separate Science uses 1 option + top 3 of the 4 option choices Desired
Separate
Rank 4 more option choices
Which science route will I take?
Must have at least 1 of history, geography, computer science or French
Combined
Rank 5 more option choices
Top 4 of the 5 option choices
SEPARATE SCIENCE
What is separate science?
● Biology, Chemistry & Physics studied separately
More academic – deeper understanding of scientific ideas
More practical science –experiments and investigations
● 3 GCSEs instead of 2
● More depth and challenge in each subject
Higher-level thinking –explaining, analysing and applying knowledge
Strong preparation for A-levels
SEPARATE SCIENCE
Future pathways it supports
Medicine & Healthcare
Medicine • Dentistry • Veterinary Science • Pharmacy • Nursing
Engineering & Technology
Engineering
• Robotics
• Computing • Aerospace
Science & Research
Laboratory science
• Environmental science • Forensics
Wider academic routes
Teaching • Psychology • Sports Science
• University science degrees
SEPARATE SCIENCE
Is it right for everyone?
✔ Best suited to students who enjoy science, like challenge, and may want to study science further ✔ Combined Science is also a strong pathway
✔ Teacher guidance helps students choose the right route
COMBINED SCIENCE
* Combined science is still a strong pathway for future education and careers
* The level of difficulty is the same but there is less content
* Students will be entered for either foundation (grade 1- 5) or higher (grade 4 - 9) for Combined science.
Please see Mr. Woodruff in O10 for more advice and information
The core subjects will give you the equivalent of 5 G.C.S.E. qualifications.
In addition to this you will choose 4 options.
OPTION CHOICES
In addition to the core subjects there are potentially 4 Option Blocks.
OPTION BLOCK 1 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 2 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 3 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 4 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 5 – RESERVE OPTION
COMPASS - If you are successful in a Compass application then this would replace option 4 and option 4 would replace your reserve
OPTION PATHWAYS
COMBINED SCIENCE (2 GCSEs)
OPTION BLOCK 1 – computer science, French, history, geography
OPTION BLOCK 2 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 3 – Choose 1 subject
SEPARATE SCIENCE (3 GCSEs)
OPTION BLOCK 1 – Separate science
OPTION BLOCK 2 – computer science, French, history, geography
OPTION BLOCK 3 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 4 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 5 – RESERVE OPTION
OPTION BLOCK 4 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 5 – RESERVE OPTION
COMPASS PATHWAYS
COMBINED SCIENCE (2 GCSEs)
OPTION BLOCK 1 – computer science, French, history, geography
OPTION BLOCK 2 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 3 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 4 – COMPASS COLLEGE COURSE
OPTION BLOCK 5 – RESERVE OPTION
SEPARATE SCIENCE (3 GCSEs)
OPTION BLOCK 1 – Separate science
OPTION BLOCK 2 – computer science, French, history, geography
OPTION BLOCK 3 – Choose 1 subject
OPTION BLOCK 4 – COMPASS COLLEGE COURSE
OPTION BLOCK 5 – RESERVE OPTION
FCAT Compass Curriculum Offer
► If you choose this then one of your option subjects will be completed at college on Friday afternoon
► Leave school between 12:15-1pm depending on college
► 3 hours study at college
► You would finish at 4:15pm at Blackpool and Fylde college and Blackpool Sixth Form
► You would return to school via coach at 5pm if you attend Myerscough college
► There are entry requirements for Compass due to a limited number of places
PSHRE and Core PE
You will also experience PSHRE sessions covering a series of topics including personal and social education, religious studies, relationships, sex education, citizenship, money management, careers and life skills.
Everyone still does Core PE.
Different types of qualifications
❖ GCSE
❖ BTEC Tech Awards
❖ Cambridge National Certificates
❖ Eduqas Technical Award
❖ ALL OF THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE EQUIVALENT IN POINTS VALUE TO 1 GCSE
Options in school
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
Computer Science (GCSE)
DesignTechnology (Timbers) (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
Hospitality and Catering (TechnicalAward)
Music (TechnicalAward)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
Compass Curriculum
Compass Construction (B&F College) - Level 1/2
Engineering (B&F College)- Level 1/2
Hair and Beauty (B&F College) - Level 1/2
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (B&F College) - Level 1
Uniform public services (B&F College) - Level 1/2
Animal Care (Myerscough College) - Level 1/2
GCSE Economics (Blackpool Sixth Form) - Level 2 - must study higher maths
Compass Curriculum Entry Requirements
YEAR 9 OPTIONS FORM 2026 - COMBINED SCIENCE
NAME:
TUTOR GROUP:
I have discussed these options with my child and am happy with the choices they have made.
PARENTAL SIGNATURE:
For each Option please indicate which you would like to choose SUBJECT
Computer Science (GCSE
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
French (GCSE)
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
Design Technology Timbers (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
Hospitality and catering (Technical Award)
Music (Technical Award)
Physical Education (GCSE
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
Blackpool and Fyide College
Engineering- Level 1
Hair and Beauty- Level 1/2
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair -Level 1
Construction - Level 1/2
Uniform Public Services -Level 1/2
Myerscough College
Animal Care- Level 1/2
Blackpool Sixth Form
GCSE Economics - Level 2-must study higher maths
If you have any further queries please contact Mr Gordon in school or via email: bgordon@montgomery.fcat.org.uk
Please note the following:
You may not choose GCSE PE and Vocational Sports Studies E Enjoymentandenigagament
You may not choose Design and Technology (timbers) and Engineering (Compass)
If a student is not successful with their application for Compass Curriculum,their Option choice 4 will be used.
GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education
CN Cert - Cambridge National Certificate
BTEC - Business and Technology Education Council
Technical Award - Eduqas Level 1/2 Vocational Award
YEAR 9 OPTIONS FORM 2026 - SEPARATE SCIENCE
TUTOR GROUP:
I have discussed these options with my child and am happy with the choices they have made.
PARENTAL SIGNATURE:
For each Option please indicatewhich you would like to choose
SUBJECT
Separate science
Computer Science (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
French (GCSE
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE
Child Development (CN Cert)
Design Technology Timbers (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies] (BTE
Hospitality and catering (Technical Award)
Music (Technical Award)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
MCompass Curriculum (Optional) - would replace option 4
Blackpool and FyldeCollege
Engineering - Level 1
Hair and Beauty-Level1/2
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair -Level 1
Construction - Level 1/2
Uniform Public Services - Level 1/2
Myerscough College
Animal Care -Level 1/2
Blackpool Sixth Form
GCSE Economics - Level 2- must studyhigher maths
If you have any further queries please contact Mr Gordon in school or via email: bgordon@montgomery.fcat.org.uk
Please note the following:
You may not choose GCSE PE and Vocational Sports Studies E Enjoyment and engagem
You may not choose Design and Technology (timbers) and Engineering (Compass)
If a student is not successful with their application for Compass Curriculum, their Option choice 4 block will be used.
GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education
CN Cert - Cambridge National Certificate
BTEC-Business and Technology EducationCouncil
Technical Award - Eduqas Level 1/2 Vocational Award
Viability of courses
❖ Please note that the options in each block with the lowest student numbers will not run. Your reserve choice is important and requires thinking about.
❖ If your choice and reserve are not running you will need to pick from one of the options that is running.
Points of note
You may not choose CN certificate in Sports Studies and GCSE PE
You may not choose Design and Technology (Timbers) and Engineering (Compass course)
Combined science pathway
This is NOT an acceptable choice
Science (GCSE)
(GCSE)
(GCSE)
Combined science pathway
This IS an acceptable choice (all subjects in school)
Computer Science (GCSE) Construction (B&F College) -
French (GCSE)
Engineering (B&F College)- Level 1/2
Geography (GCSE) Hair and Beauty (B&F College) - Level 1/2
History (GCSE)
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
DesignTechnology -Timbers (GCSE)
Animal Care (Myerscough College) - Level 1/2
Drama (GCSE) GCSE Economics (Blackpool Sixth Form) - Level 2 - must study higher maths
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
Hospitality and catering (TechnicalAward)
Music (TechnicalAward)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
Computer Science (GCSE)
This IS an acceptable choice (Compass)
French (GCSE) Engineering (B&F College)- Level 1/2
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert) Animal Care (Myerscough College) -
DesignTechnology -Timbers (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
Hospitality and catering (TechnicalAward)
Music (TechnicalAward)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
(Blackpool
Separate sciences pathway
This IS an acceptable choice (in school)
Separate science (GCSE) Construction (B&F College) -
Computer Science (GCSE)
French (GCSE)
Engineering (B&F College)- Level 1/2
Geography (GCSE) Vehicle
History (GCSE)
Art and Design (GCSE)
Uniform
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE) Animal
Child Development (CN Cert)
DesignTechnology -Timbers (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
Hospitality and catering (TechnicalAward)
Music (TechnicalAward)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Separate sciences pathway
This IS an acceptable choice (Compass)
Separate science (GCSE) Construction (B&F
Computer Science (GCSE) Engineering (B&F College)-
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE) Vehicle
History (GCSE) Uniform
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
DesignTechnology -Timbers (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
Hospitality and catering (TechnicalAward)
Music (TechnicalAward)
Physical Education (GCSE) Religious Studies (GCSE)
Separate sciences pathway
Separate science (GCSE)
Computer Science (GCSE)
This NOTANADVISED choice (Compass)
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
Art and Design (GCSE) Art specialising in
Child Development (CN Cert) DesignTechnology -Timbers (GCSE)
(GCSE)
Separate sciences pathway
Separate science (GCSE)
Computer Science (GCSE)
This NOTANADVISED choice (Compass)
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE) Uniform
Art and Design (GCSE)
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
DesignTechnology -Timbers (GCSE)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
Hospitality and catering (TechnicalAward)
Music (TechnicalAward)
Physical Education (GCSE) Religious Studies (GCSE)
This student has chosen academic subjects in school which would lead to them being able to take
WHAT NEXT?
* Find out as much as you can about all the courses you are interested in (E block/O block/T block)
• Ask your teachers and Progress Tutor for advice j.quinn@montgomery.fcat.org.uk
• Get prepared for your 1:1 Options Discussion first week back after half term
• Think about the taster sessions you want to pick
WHAT NEXT?
• Students will have a taster morning on Friday 13th March where they can sample up to 4 different subjects. They will choose these the first week back after half term.
• We will hopefully offer some college taster days if students are serious about Compass
Your Ideas Your Options 1-2-1 guidance meeting
Subjects you are achieving well in
Subjects you need more support with
Subjects you enjoy the most
Subject you do not enjoy as much
Subjects that would help with your desired college/career pathways
Which science pathway are you likely to take? Please circle Separate science Combined science Only complete one of these columns Separate science pathw
Compass (optional):
*This would replace your option 4-option 4 then becomes your reserve)
Questions I would like to ask in my 1-2-1 interview are:
Compass (optional):
*This would replace your option 4-option 4 then becomes your reserve)
Then what do we do?
There will be 2 online forms sent out:
1 for separate science pathway
1 for combined science pathway
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE THE FORM FOR THE SCIENCE PATHWAY YOU ARE CHOOSING
Deadline for choices: Friday 20th March 2025
February 12th
Options Timeline
February 25th, 26th and 27th
March 13th
March 20th
Points to remember :-
* YOU make the decision
* YOU choose subjects YOU enjoy
* YOU choose subjects YOU are good at
* ASK for guidance
* You cannot change your options in Years 10 or 11
IT IS YOUR FUTURE
YEAR 9 OPTIONS EVENING - FEEDBACK
GROWTH THROUGHOUT LIFE
EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES
MANAGE CAREER
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
BALANCE LIFE & WORK SEE BIG PICTURE
WE WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK...
PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE AND LET US KNOW WHAT WE GOT RIGHT AND WHAT WE COULD IMPROVE ON.
