KS4 Options Booklet 2026-2028 - Flipbook - Page 16
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Upper School Subject Details
How many GCSEs will students study in Years 10 and 11?
The majority of students at Robert May9s study 9 or 10 GCSEs or equivalents. This is made up of 5 or 6 Core
GCSEs: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and two or three Sciences. The remaining four
subjects are optional and students are free to choose from all subject areas for three of these. Compelling
evidence from Ofsted suggests that taking a language GCSE and a humanities GCSE is desirable. We aim to
provide all students with their first choices. On the rare occasions that too few students opt for a course to
make it economically viable or if a student picks a unique combination, we will work with students and their
parents or carers to find the most suitable alternative.
Students must choose Option 1: The Science course they will follow, one subject from option 2 and three
further subjects from Option 3 in any subject area. It is recommended that the Option 3 subjects come from a
variety of subject groups to maintain breadth of study and to keep options as open as possible for post 16
education. The over- riding reason behind students9 choices must be to choose subjects that they enjoy and
can be successful in.
Future Study Pathways (See summary sheet attached to the Options form)
In order to support future applications for A-Levels, T Levels and University, we recommend that students
wishing to follow a traditional 8academic9 route through education choose at least two subjects from
Languages, History, Geography, Religious Studies and Computer Science. This will enable them to compete for
places against other applicants from schools that enforce the study of at least one of these subjects. Typically,
90% or more of a cohort choose at least one of these subjects.
What happens if a student changes their mind?
As GCSE options heavily influence not only the whole school timetable, but also the recruitment of specialist
teaching staff, it is important to make considered choices that are unlikely to change. Movement between
subjects is only possible in extreme cases through communication with Mr Webster. The further into the
process a change request is made, the harder it is to accommodate. The absolute final cut off for option
changes is the end of September of Year 10. After that point, students will need to stick with their choices;
there will be no room for manoeuvre and no opportunity to 8drop9 a subject.
Further Information:
More information on Career Pathways can be found in Part 1 of this guide.
Further information about the course content for each subject can be found on the school website:
http://www.rmays.org/curriculum/subjects/
