The Options process is designed to guide Year 9 learners to make choices about what they would like to study in years 10 and 11. These choices may include GCSEs and/or vocational subjects. From this webpage you can find out everything you need to know about the options that are on offer to you in Key Stage 4.
Key Dates 2026
| Wednesday 4 February | Welcome to KS4 Evening (4.30pm – 6.30pm) |
| Wednesday 25 February | Personal Development Day with Option taster lessons |
| Tuesday 10 March | Year 9 Parents’ Evening |
| Tuesday 31 March | Deadline for Options |
If you have any questions relating to the options process, please email Mrs Lee at: elee@ladybridgehigh.co.uk
Mrs Lee will be leading the process and creating the school timetable and will be able to answer any questions you may have. In addition, you can speak to your LFL teacher or your Form Tutor for advice or any Head of Department of a subject that you are interested in (particularly if these are new areas of study).
Core Subjects
There are some subjects that are ‘Core subjects’ and so every learner takes qualifications in these subjects:
- English (2 GCSEs – Language and Literature)
- Mathematics (1 GCSE)
- Science (2 GCSEs unless you choose Separate Sciences)
You will also continue in your Core PE lessons and you will continue with LFL lessons. but will not take examinations in either of these subjects.
Options Subjects:
Before you choose, you must think carefully about your experience of the subjects that you have already studied and find out as much as you can about the courses, including how they are assessed.
You must not:
- Choose based on what your friends choose (you will probably not end up in classes together)
- Choose based on your favourite teacher
- Choose based on what you think other people want you to do (you will be the one completing the work so it needs to be a personal choice)
- Think that it is easy to switch options in Year 10 because it isn’t. You will be expected to catch up on all work missed and your parents must meet with Mrs Lee before any changes take place.
Before choosing your options, you should:
- Speak to parents/carers about your options
- Look at your ATL grades for the subjects that you are considering (any Cs and Ds should be your target for improvement before the next ATL)
- Speak to siblings and/or older friends about their experience
- Listen carefully in the LFL lessons and make the most of the time given to explore the options
- Choose the subjects for your taster day carefully and definitely NOT because your friends have chosen certain subjects
- Consider your enjoyment of the subjects – don’t choose a subject that you don’t like!
Options Information Hunt
You will need to gather information to help you to narrow your options down and to support you in making informed and appropriate decisions for your future study. Use the table below to gather some of this information.
| CORE: How are English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science assessed? | Which option subject(s) have a coursework element? | Which option subject(s) are 100% examination? |
| Which option subject(s) have a practical element that is assessed? | Which option subject(s) are computer-based? | Which option subject(s) will involve me doing field work or working outside a classroom? |
| Which option subject(s) are new and are only available for KS4? | Which option subject(s) might allow me to do extra-curricular activities? | Which option subject(s) might require me to bring resources from home? |
| Which option subject(s) are new and are only available for KS4? | Which option subjects have grades 9-1 at GCSE? | Which option subjects have grades of pass, merit, distinction (and ‘stars’)? |
KS4 Options Course Information
A copy of the KS4 Options Course Information booklet provided for our Options Evening is also available to view and download:
Learner Information
Subject Videos
We have also prepared informative videos for subject choices which provides advice from teachers and learners on how to make good options choices and offer suggestions on what you may need to know about subjects before choosing them. Please visit our YouTube playlist for more information:
Key Stage 4 Options Deadline Date – Tuesday 31 March 2026
The deadline for final option choices is Tuesday 31 March 2026 and must be completed via the Google Form issued.
If you feel that any further discussion is necessary, an appointment may be made with Mrs E Lee (Assistant Headteacher) by telephoning the school on 01204 656569 during school hours, or by email at elee@ladybridgehigh.co.uk.
If your son/daughter has a Special Educational Need or English as an Additional Language, an appointment may be made with Mrs Halliwell, Head of Learning Support, by telephoning as above, or by email at vhalliwell@ladybridgehigh.co.uk.
Helpful websites
Choosing which subjects to take can be a difficult decision for your child, but there is plenty of information available to help you and your child whittle their options down. The links below have been selected to help you support your child at this important time.
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/choosing-gcse-options-advice-for-parents/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zdswf4j
Career Pilot: Parents zone
https://www.theschoolrun.com/parents-guide-secondary-school-gcse-options