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Welcome to our GCSE Options Handbook This handbook is designed to assist you in selecting your GCSE subjects. Within this document, Heads of Departments provide detailed descriptions of the courses available for study in Year 10 and Year 11 at Wellingborough School. Additionally, you will find general advice on making choices that best suit your individual needs.
While some pupils may find it easy to decide which subjects to pursue, others may face a more challenging decision. We hope this handbook will be helpful, encouraging you to seek guidance from your teachers and others It aims to give pupils and parents a clear understanding of the content of GCSE specifications and assist current Year 9 pupils in considering their best options based on their strengths and interests.
Achieving the best possible results at GCSE requires good working habits and, above all, motivation. Therefore, it is crucial that pupils are satisfied with their choices You should consult your teachers about your suitability for each subject and, if possible, seek insights from current Year 10 and Year 11 pupils about their experiences There is a wealth of experience available to help you make the best possible choice.
All pupils in Years 10 and 11 follow a core curriculum comprising: English Language and English Literature Mathematics Sciences
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All pupils study at least two GCSEs of science subjects Pupils may choose to study a Combined Science course (worth two GCSEs) covering material from Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Combined Science and the separate science courses are all taught at Higher level where grades up to and including grade 9 can be achieved A grade 7-7 or above in Combined Science is a suitable basis for studying a science at A level and selecting this option does not therefore restrict a pupil’s choices at a later date. If, by the end of Year 9, it is felt that a pupil would benefit from studying a reduced content it is highly recommended that they select the Combined Science option This qualification is available at both Higher and Foundation level with the final decision on tier of entry taken later in the course whereas the separate science IGCSEs are only offered at the Higher level where some pupils may struggle to achieve a pass grade.
Alternatively, pupils may choose three separate science IGCSEs in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. If three separate sciences are studied this will occupy one of the GCSE option blocks in addition to the science block and so taking three separate sciences limits the number of other options at GCSE. Selecting only two separate sciences is not recommended for most pupils as it may limit their access to other science A levels, e.g., GCSE Chemistry content is required for Biology A level. It is therefore highly recommended that pupils study either the Combined Science course or all three separate sciences. Science teachers will be happy to discuss the most suitable course with pupils and their parents.
Work for these core subjects therefore prepares pupils for 5 (if Combined Science or 2 separate sciences are chosen) or 6 (if 3 separate sciences are chosen) GCSEs.
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In addition, Games/PE and PSHCE continue Pupils in Year 10 also study the Wellingborough STACK course which covers citizenship, global perspectives, work-readiness including presentation and interview skills and financial education in preparation for adult life. There is an option to continue the Citizenship course in Year 11 leading to an additional GCSE; this requires motivation and a willingness to undertake independent study and a project on the part of the pupil.
Most pupils will study for a total of 9 GCSEs. If taking three separate sciences, they are invited to select four courses in order of preference from the options given below, three of which will be studied. If taking two separate sciences or the Combined Science course, pupils should select five courses in order of preference from the options given below, four of which will be studied. Each course occupies three periods a week.
Art & Design: Fine Art*
Art & Design: Photography*
Computer Science*
3D Product Design
Drama
Engineering
Food Preparation and Nutrition
French*
Geography
History
Music
Physical Education
Religious Studies
Spanish*
Courses marked with * are part of the Year 9 mini-options and pupils are generally expected to have followed these courses in Year 9 before selecting them for GCSE. Pupils must seek the advice of the Head of Department concerned, if they are considering an option which they have not studied in Year 9, before returning their GCSE Choices Form.
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Learning Development Option
The learning development option is only available by invitation and provides pupils studying one fewer GCSE with additional small group support with the core subjects, and study skills Mrs Sharon Lawson (Head of Learning Development) will contact those pupils and parents who may wish to consider this option with more information If you would like to discuss this option and Mrs Lawson has not been in touch, please contact her on sdl@wellingboroughschool.org.
The Options Scheme
The teaching of GCSE subjects has to fit into the School’s timetable and working week Although flexibility is a priority, it is important to note that not all combinations of subjects are possible, just as some are undesirable. The subject combinations that we are able to offer are based upon our own research and our experience of the sort of subject combinations which Wellingborough pupils traditionally choose
The specification material in this prospectus is presented in good faith and so are the courses offered It is, however, important for pupils (and parents) to appreciate that our resources are not infinite Therefore: If some courses become oversubscribed, numbers may have to be limited. Courses which attract little, or no interest, may not run, or the number of sets offered may be reduced.
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While we will make every effort to accommodate pupils’ first three/four choices, staffing and/or timetabling restrictions may require some pupils to follow their reserve (i.e., fourth/fifth) choice In all cases we strongly recommend that pupils and parents discuss proposed choices with subject teachers, Housemasters/mistresses and Tutors
The final GCSE blocking scheme for 2026-2028 will, where possible, take account of all pupils’ choices Once the GCSE blocking arrangements have been finalised, typically March/April 2026, revised subject combinations must conform to this structure and any changes will be dependent upon the availability of space in the requested teaching sets.
Advice on choosing GCSE subjects
In general, we seek to allow pupils to study the subjects they wish, provided we feel the combination is in the best interests of the pupil, taking their specific abilities into account We will seek to discourage combinations which we feel are inappropriate for the pupil concerned or perhaps represent in themselves an inappropriate combination.
When considering their choices, pupils should try to balance the following factors:
Interest and enjoyment
Ability and progress
Sensible combinations (those which are likely to ensure a broad education)
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We stress at this stage the importance of a combination of ability, interest, breadth and balance. It is too easy for a pupil’s choices to be determined by a single narrow consideration. In this context it is worth remembering that:
A choice of career at this stage is premature and, experience shows, unlikely to last A large proportion of pupils change their minds about careers, if they have any firm ideas at all, many times before the end of their education.
Pupils should avoid choosing a subject if, in the opinion of their teachers, they are unlikely to secure a good GCSE grade. GCSE scores are important evidence available to university admissions departments at the time they offer places or alternative post 16 routes including apprenticeships.
Good reasons to choose a subject include:
You like it or you find it interesting. It might be useful for a possible future career
You can develop new skills by doing it
You think that you will do well in it. It will give you satisfaction
Your teachers think that it is a suitable choice for you. It will combine well with other subjects and help your general education
You like the method of assessment and teaching. It is a subject that you would like to become good at
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Bad reasons to choose a subject include:
Your friends are doing it – you may not be in the same class
GCSE classes are determined by option choices, numbers and class sizes and to ensure a similar mix of skills and ability in each group
You think that you should do it – even if you do not want to. Your parents think that it is a good idea – but you do not
You know someone who has done it, and they say that it is great.
It is thought of as a ‘cool’ subject by most people
You cannot think of anything else to choose.
You think that it will be easy – all GCSEs are more challenging than the work covered in Year 9
It sounds good even though you have not found out about it.
You really like the teacher that you have got now – you may have a different teacher next year.
You think that it will impress people now or later.
Above all, we recommend that pupils study the subjects that they enjoy most and in which they perform best It is most likely that these are the subjects which would earn them the best grades at GCSE, and that they will be among the subjects from which the pupils will eventually select their A levels In view of the changes to A level, the final GCSE grades form an increasing part of the selection process for offers for university applications.
It is worth noting that it is possible to study some subjects at A level when a GCSE in that subject has not been studied
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Timetable for choosing
While we aim to be as flexible as possible, next year’s timetable will be based on what you choose now, so careful consideration is important You need to return your options form by Friday 13th February 2026 for your choices to be considered when the option blocks are determined. After this date, options must be submitted by email to the Deputy Head (Academic) and choices may be limited by the option blocks and space available in existing classes.
The Deputy Head (Academic) will be happy to answer any questions that you have or direct you to the person best placed to deal with your enquiry
ART, CRAFT & DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY
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ART, CRAFT & DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY
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COMPUTER SCIENCE
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COMPUTER SCIENCE
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DRAMA
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ENGINEERING
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ENGINEERING
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
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FOOD PREPARATION & NUTRITION
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GEOGRAPHY
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HISTORY
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HISTORY
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MATHEMATICS
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MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
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MUSIC
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION
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RELIGIOUS STUDIES
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RELIGIOUS STUDIES
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SCIENCE
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BIOLOGY
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CHEMISTRY
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CHEMISTRY
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PHYSICS
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COMBINED SCIENCE
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