Key Stage 4 Options

We offer 23 different GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications at Key Stage 4.

Our students choose 4 options subjects which they begin to study at the start of Year 10. Alongside the options subjects, all students study:

GCSE English Language
GCSE English Literature
GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Biology*
GCSE Chemistry*
GCSE Physics*

*75% of students study separate Sciences at GCSE, the remaining 25% follow the Combined Science pathway, leading to 2 GCSEs in Science.

Options Choices

The 4 options subjects are selected as follows:

All pupils take one Humanity and Languages subject, either History, Geography or Spanish
Most pupils take a second EBacc subject: either Spanish (if not selected above) or History/Geography if Spanish is selected in option 1. We recommend that all students wanting to study Level 3 courses at college/Sixth Forms follow this route. To achieve the EBacc students need to study both Spanish and History/Geography. For students who don't wish to study Level 3 courses this option should be a GCSE subject (see list in 3).
GCSE Subject: Selected from Art, Business, Computing, Dance, Drama, Design Technology, PE, Religious Education.
Free Choice: Selected from Art, Business, Countryside and Environment, Dance, Drama, Design Technology, Engineering, Hospitality and Catering, iMedia, Music (not available in September 2023), PE or Religious Education.
Free Choice Reserve Subjects: All pupils choose two further reserve subjects. These are subjects they would be happy to study if their choices are oversubscribed or do not run due to low numbers. We only use reserve choices for a small number of pupils in most years, but occasionally a subject will not run if it is only chosen by a small number of students and this would lead to their reserve choice being offered instead.

Similar Subjects

There are some subjects where the content is similar. We discourage study of two similar subjects as it means students have fewer pathways open to them when they leave Bowland. If students have chosen similar subjects their curriculum is narrowed. We find that many students grow and change in terms of their interests and their favourite subjects in Year 9 are often not their favourites by the end of Year 11 so a broad set of choices helps them to enjoy their Key Stage 4 study more.

Subjects that are similar in content are:

Computing and iMedia
Design Technology and Engineering
PE and Dance

We do make exceptions where it is determined that this is the best curriculum for individual students, this would be after discussion with parents/carers so that the implications of similar choices can be understood.

Coursework (Non-Examined Assessments)

Some subjects contain a coursework element. These courses allow students to complete part of the assessment before the final exams in Year 11. Studying a combination of exam-assessed and coursework-assessed subjects is usually a good way for pupils to manage their workload. Studying too many of each type can put additional pressure on pupils. Vocational subjects are assessed throughout the course, whereas GCSE courses with coursework tend to involve the coursework being completed towards the end of Year 11.

These courses contain no coursework: English Language, English Literature, Maths, Sciences, Business, Geography, History, Religious Education and Spanish.

These GCSE courses contain an element of coursework: Art, Computing, Dance, Design Technology, Drama and PE.

These Vocational courses contain an element of coursework: Engineering, Hospitality and Catering, iMedia, Music

These Vocational courses are entirely coursework based: Countryside and Environment.

English Baccalaureate (EBacc)

Students who are hoping to move onto Level 3 courses at college/Sixth Form (A Levels, T Levels, Level 3 BTECs or equivalents) should be following an EBacc curriculum. Not doing so can place them at a disadvantage when applying to some competitive university courses and apprenticeships. An EBacc curriculum is considered the 'gold standard' for a broad and balanced education. As a result we will ask most students to continue their study of Spanish and either History or Geography, to GCSE level. We maintain 4 options subjects (rather than 3 offered by many schools) in order to give students the opportunity to also study two further subjects which they can choose from any other subjects available.

An EBacc curriculum doesn't suit all students and we consider each student individually when providing advice and guidance.

Students with SEND

Students with SEND receive additional support with making their options choices. For students who have an EHCP this will be discussed at their SEN review closest to the options process in the Spring Term of Year 9.

We design individual pathways for students with SEND. In some cases this would include only selecting 3 options subjects, to allow room in the timetable for intervention and development of key skills. We can also allow students to study two GCSE equivalent (vocational) courses where individual needs of the student determine this is an appropriate curriculum.

Wider Curriculum

Alongside the qualification specifications, we broaden our curriculum to ensure pupils gain a broad understanding of the subjects they are studying. We also teach the following non-examined subjects to all Key Stage 4 students:

Physical Education
Ethics, Philosophy and Religion
PSHE

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