Year 9 Options 2025
The next few months of Year 9 are a crucial stage in your/your child’s school life. Over the coming months, you/they will need to make a choice of what subjects to study for GCSE/Level 2 for the last two years of your/their compulsory education.
The choices students make will therefore have an important impact not
just on the subjects they will achieve GCSE qualifications in, but
also on their career prospects and opportunities in the future.
The courses your child will follow over the next two years can be divided
into a core curriculum (offered to all students as compulsory) and options
(foundation subjects).
What is the Core GCSE Curriculum at Chesterfield High School?
During Key Stage 4, all students follow a core curriculum
of the following compulsory subjects:
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Either Geography, History or Spanish (students select)
• Core Religious Education
• Personal Development and Well Being
• Practical PE
English subjects, Mathematics, Science and the chosen subject from either Geography, History or Spanish are subjects in which all students will gain GCSE qualification, sitting examinations at the end of the course.
Within the time allocated to English, all students will study both English Language and English Literature, resulting in two GCSE qualifications.
In Science, all students will sit the Combined Science course in their core curriculum time, again resulting in two GCSEs in Science. If, however, students wish to pursue separate qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, then the additional time needed is allocated through the choice of one of the student’s options (Triple Award Science).
For students who wish to study Geography, History and Spanish (or a combination of these subjects), this remains a possibility, but requires selection of the subject from the option blocks.
What is the Optional GCSE Curriculum offered at Chesterfield High School?
The optional courses which are available need to be selected to match students’ individual strengths as indicated by their progress over the last three years.
All students will have the option to choose between History, Geography or Spanish in addition to two other subjects.
Details for each option subject, including qualification details, can be found below, by clicking the relevant link.
Triple Award Science (Separate Science)
How will students supported in the options process?
We will offer advice and guidance to all students about the suitability
of courses for them.
On Monday 20th January 2025, students attended a Year 9 Options assembly, informing them about the process. They will also have the opportunity to hear about each course during form-time, and to speak with their form tutor/Progress Leader about any specific questions they may have.
A copy of the assembly voiced over can be accessed here:
/i/video/Year_9_Options_2025_information.mp4
How will parents/carers be supported in the options process?
Like students, parents are free to look at the information provided on this website page.
Further to this, an opportunity to speak to subject staff and members of the school leadership team will be available on Year 9 Parents' Evening - Thursday 24th January 2025.
Furthermore, any further questions/clarifications are asked to be sent to head@chesterfieldhigh.co.uk. A relevant member of staff will contact you.
Printed subject sheets will be made available on Year 9 Parents' Evening, Thursday 24th January 2025.
When do students make their choice?
Year 9 Parent/Carers will be sent a link to choose options after the February half-term. We ask students to consider carefully with their families the choices they are looking to make and the reasons for those decisions.
If students at the start of Year 10 believe that they have made the wrong choice of option subject, we will look at their preference and try to alter at the start of Year 10, where possible. However, we must stress that this may not always be feasible.
When choosing options you need to ensure you study the information available and ask the advice of your teachers. It is important to select subjects through which you feel you will gain maximum success and enjoyment throughout the next two years, leading to final qualifications and a chosen career pathway.