Year 9 GCSE Options

In September 2027, current Year 9 students will be entering the Upper School and will begin courses leading to GCSE examinations (or GCSE‑equivalent qualifications).

This information is designed to help students and parents/carers gain a better understanding of the subject choices available in Years 10 and 11, as well as to support students in making informed decisions.

It is very important that students are well prepared for the future by following a broad and balanced curriculum. This means that some subjects will be compulsory.

The compulsory subjects are: Mathematics, English, Science, Modern Foreign Languages and Religious Studies. Students can then choose from a variety of optional subjects to complement these core areas.

Students need to think carefully before selecting their option subjects, ensuring they choose appropriate pathways and a good combination of subjects.

Students have already received guidance through SMART Futures lessons, form time and assemblies, and have had opportunities to plan their choices with the support of Form Tutors, the Head of Year, and subject teachers.

For additional guidance, Mrs Mohammed (IAG Co‑ordinator) is available at lunchtimes to offer specific advice.

Although every effort will be made to provide students with their chosen courses, some changes may be necessary, especially if a course is heavily over‑subscribed or under‑subscribed.

 

Next Steps: How to Make Your Choices

When deciding which subjects to choose, please consider the following questions:

  • Will I enjoy this subject?

  • Am I good at this subject?

  • Will this subject help me progress toward my A‑Level choices and future career pathways?

  • Will it help me achieve the English Baccalaureate?

Remember that these choices belong to the student. Do NOT choose subjects based on friendship groups or teacher preference, as neither can be guaranteed. Students will study each chosen subject for two years, so decisions should be made carefully and thoughtfully.

Making the right choices now will help ensure students are happier in the long term and increase their chances of success.

Core subjects: 
English (Literature and Language) 
Mathematics 
Science 
Religious Studies 
 
Non-examined core subjects: 
Physical Education, SMART Futures (3 full days through the year) 
 
Options: 
Students will have 2 choices across a range of subjects. A modern Foreign Language has to be selected as one of the choices. The majority of students will be entered for 9 GCSEs (or equivalent), which will allow students to progress on to college courses, work or university.  

GCSEs remain the main academic qualification taken by students in England at age 16. The structure and expectations are listed below: 

  • All subjects have a grading scale that uses the numbers 1–9 to identify levels of performance (with 9 being the top level). Where performance is below the minimum required to pass a GCSE, students will get a U.
  • Grade 4 is the minimum level that students need to reach in English and Maths, otherwise they will need to continue to study these subjects as part of their post-16 education.
  • The DFE recognises Grade 5 (or above)  as a “strong pass". It is likely that these higher grades will be required to study A Level’s and may be required for university applications.
  • A linear format for assessment. This means that all exams must be taken at the end of the course.
  • Most GCSE’s will be assessed by external exam only. This means no coursework / controlled assessment. There is also an increase in external exams in all vocational qualifications. 

Ms Mohammed is Hendon School’s Careers Information, Advice and Guidance Coordinator. 


If advice is needed to support with making option choices, students and their parents can email any questions to Mrs Mohammed at mohammeds@hendonschool.co.uk 

Students can see Mrs Mohammed in the Careers Office (next to room A10) on Wednesday and Thursday at break or lunchtime with any questions.  

 

Useful websites to support choices 

Please find below links to websites that act as a source of good information to support in making the right decisions about subjects to study and future plans.

  1. www.fasttomato.com 
    This site helps students to find out which jobs and careers might suit them based on their individual interests, learning styles and expectations. Registration code to use the site is: HENL
  2. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk 
    This government site is full of useful information to support decisions. It has a link to trained, independent advisors who can talk directly with students and parents to answer questions via web chats or phone calls. The service is completely free to use.
  3. www.plotr.co.uk  GCSE Subject - Reserve   
    This site allows students to explore employer worlds, in-depth career profiles, videos and articles to gain a view of what the world of work is really like and find the career areas that inspire them.  
  4. www.careersbox.co.uk 
    This is the free, national online careers film and video library. Real people in real jobs talk about their qualifications and the work involved in their job.  
  5. www.hendonschool.co.uk (Click Sixth Form and then click Entry Criteria) 
    On the school website, students can look at the sixth form section.  Looking at entry requirements for subjects that students may like to study after year 11, can help them pick the right subjects to study in year 10 and 11.
  6. www.ucas.com 
    This is the university admissions website.  Students can use this site to look at what they may like to study and the entry requirements for courses.  
  7. www.apprenticeships.gov.uk 
    After GCSEs or sixth form, students may consider doing an apprenticeship, which is where you have a paid job and get qualifications at the same time. Students can use this site to find out more about this future option. 

Core Subjects

English LanguageEnglish LiteratureMathematicsReligious StudiesGCSE Combined Science (Double Science GCSE)GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics (GCSE Triple Science)

Languages 

GCSE FrenchGCSE GermanGCSE Japanese GCSE Spanish

GCSE Subjects

GCSE Art and DesignGCSE Business StudiesGCSE Computer ScienceGCSE DanceGCSE Design and TechnologyGCSE DramaGCSE Food Preparation and NutritionGCSE GeographyGSCE HistoryGCSE MusicGSCE PhotographyGCSE Physical EducationGCSE PsychologyGCSE Sociology

Vocational Subjects

Vocational IT

Terms Used

 

CORE SUBJECTS: Subjects taken by all pupils.

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT:  A new form of internal assessment replacing coursework in many subjects.   Teachers will assess pupils’ work during Years 10 and 11, and after MODERATION (see below), these marks count towards the final GCSE grade.   

ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE (EBacc): A certificate awarded to pupils who achieve grades A*-C in the subjects listed.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS: Examinations set by approved Examining Groups.   They award nationally accepted certificates to successful pupils in the final term of Year 11.   The most common examinations lead to GCSE qualifications.

FOLDER/FOLIO/PORTFOLIO: An accumulation of Controlled Assessment compiled during an examination course.   The folder/folio contributes to the final assessment leading to the candidate’s mark and grade.

GCSE: The General Certificate of Secondary Education.   This is a Government approved national qualification taken when pupils complete their secondary education.   

MODERATION: A way of checking that school-marked Controlled Assessment satisfies an agreed standard; that is, that the marking is not “harder” for some pupils than others.

INTERNAL MODERATION:  This takes place in school in subjects where there is more than one teacher of GCSE groups.   It ensures that candidates, who have produced the same quality of work, receive the same mark.

EXTERNAL MODERATION: Trained moderators compare and standardise the marks awarded by all schools, by checking samples of marked work.

MODULE: A unit if work connected with a subject area.  It may last for a few weeks or longer.

PROJECT: An extended study of a particular topic undertaken by a candidate on an examination course.

TIERS: In some subjects, pupils may be entered for different levels of examinations (e.g.  Higher Tier, Foundation Tier).   The tier will be chosen according to each pupil’s ability and performance.

SPECIFICATION:  Details of the knowledge, understanding and skills needed and the scheme of assessment for a particular qualification (previously called a SYLLABUS).

VOCATIONAL: These qualifications focus on developing the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workplace. They are mostly made up of coursework but do have an exam element.