Introduction

Optional Subjects 

We have structured the choices to ensure that all pupils have a balanced curriculum, in order to leave as many options open as possible.  We believe it is important that our young people don’t do anything now that they might regret later.  This structure also gives you the best chance of complying with the subject requirements of the elite Russell Group of universities, which includes Queen’s University, Belfast. 

We ask that you choose:

• ONE science from Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 

• Then choose FOUR other subjects, which can be any of the following; 

Art & Design

Business Studies

Biology

Chemistry

Digital Technology OR Computing 

Food & Nutrition

French

Geography

Health and Social Care (BTEC)

History

Music

Physical Education

Physics

Spanish

Technology & Design

• The BTEC Health and Social Care is the equivalent of a GCSE and is delivered in the college by a teacher from the Southern Regional College.  Please note that you do not have to study Health and Social Care or Business Studies at GCSE level to study them at A Level.

• On the subject of PE, if you would like study it, when completing the Google Form, complete the last section with details of your achievements in Sport.  This will be of useful information for the PE teachers and can also help us to select if the PE class is oversubscribed.  We will look for participation in our major school sports of rugby and hockey when selecting pupils for PE. 

• Reserve choice - this will be used if it is not possible to timetable your combination or if one of the subjects you have put down is oversubscribed.  If a subject is oversubscribed, then preference will be given to pupils who have the highest marks in that subject.  For subjects not taught at the Junior High then position in the rank order will be used.

• Finally, if the Further Mathematics class is oversubscribed then entry to that class is based on both the maths score and the overall place in the rank order.    Parents and pupils should be aware that some of our most popular subjects have been oversubscribed in recent years.