Options
When students reach Year 10, they will begin their GCSE studies. A vital part of this process is selecting their option subjects that they will take over the course of the two years. Alongside the core subjects of English, Maths, Science, Religious Studies and core PE, students will complete two option qualifications in Year 10 and another two option qualifications in Year 11. To support students with choosing their options subjects, we held an options evening for students and parents in January 2026. The presentation slides from this evening are included here:
The GCSE curriculum
All qualifications offered through our curriculum carry awards that count towards students' GCSE tally. These awards also count towards the requirements for entry to Post-16 study, apprenticeships or other training. As a small school, we have adopted a ‘Stage not Age’ curriculum. This is to ensure that we can offer as many subjects as possible, where some subjects only run in every-other year. As a result, we are able to offer fifteen different options qualifications in a very broad Key Stage 4 curriculum.
We strongly recommend that students select a range of option subjects in order to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills. Selecting options from a range of different subjects, including those with more practical and creative elements, will demonstrate that students have a range of skills and attributes when they apply for further education or employment. Research indicates that studying qualifications such as geography, history, French or Spanish can provide students with greater opportunities in further education and support improved outcomes in English and maths. Alongside these academic subjects, there is extensive evidence about the benefits of studying arts qualifications (Art, Drama, Music or Photography) as part of their formal education. These subjects really allow students to develop their ability to think creatively and innovatively, skills that are valuable to all employers in any area. They also allow students to learn to work independently and collaboratively, as well as demonstrating that they can take constructive feedback on their work in order to make improvements. These subjects are also shown to have a very positive impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing, which is vitally important throughout GCSE studies.
Making your choices
Before making option choices, please ensure that you have read the details of the course requirements, assessment information and course content information supplied by the different subject leaders. In particular, where a subject offers both a GCSE and vocational qualification, please make sure you know which is best suited to the student’s skills. Discuss this with the Subject Leader or your teacher for this subject if necessary.
We ask that students make a choice of five subjects in order of preference, with the fifth choice acting as a reserve. We will do our best to award the first four choices, across Year 10 and Year 11, where possible. Unfortunately, as we are a small school, it will not be possible for us to construct a timetable for the two years that allows for every possible combination of options subjects, so we will have to, at times, ask you to make changes to your choices. We do understand that this is disappointing for you, so we will always do our best to make sure that you can complete the subjects that you have selected. Please note that it may also not be possible to run an option subject if too few students choose it. Settle College reserves the right to make the final decision about availability of courses.
To support all students to follow a broad and balanced curriculum:
- All students must choose at least one of geography or history.
- All students must choose at least one of art, drama, design and technology, music, photography, French, or Spanish.
Students will have a free choice for their remaining two options, which could include choosing more subjects from the lists above.
For some students, we offer a more personalised option route. Where this applies, a member of staff will be in touch to explain these differences.
For more information about the courses that we offer, please see the options booklet for current Year 9 students:
Submitting your options choices
Where your child is currently in Year 9, students will have received their options booklets at the options evening. The booklets can also be found on this page of the website. On the back of this booklet, there is a QR code for the form to complete to select their option choices. The deadline for completing this form is Wednesday 11h February 2026, and so the form will be closed after that point.
Where your child is currently in Year 10, they will be sent a letter to confirm the options subjects that they have been allocated for Year 11. Within this letter, there is a link to a form that allows you to confirm that they wish the choices to stay the same or to request a change. The deadline for completing this form is Wednesday 11th February 2026.
If any student wishes to change their options after the 11th February, please can parents/carers email Miss J Nutter (J.Nutter@settlecollege.n-yorks.sch.uk) to confirm that you are supportive of this change. Without this confirmation, no changes will be made to students' options choices.
