Year 9 options

Introduction

We are excited about our Key Stage 4 curriculum on offer. We believe it builds on our ethos of high aspiration and the curriculum experience in Key Stage 3, preparing all students for their next steps.

Our curriculum is ambitious, academic, broad, and balanced. Equality of opportunity ensures that all needs are met, providing students with the knowledge, skills, social and cultural capital required to be successful in life. Our curriculum prepares students to be successful in future employment and inspires a lifelong love for learning.

Key stage 4 core curriculum

Students will be studying the following core subjects as part of their Key Stage 4 curriculum:

• English Language (one qualification)
• English Literature (one qualification)
• Maths (one qualification)
• Combined Science (two qualifications)
• Humanities – Geography or History (one qualification)
• Religious Studies (one qualification)

Physical education

Students will follow a broad programme of study where they are expected to take part in a wide variety of activities.

PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education)

All students will have a weekly lesson where a wide range of topics and current issues will be studied. The key strands are relationships, health and well-being, careers and finance and citizenship. Lessons are designed to encourage active participation and debate, with students developing their communication skills, understanding of British values and their ability to evaluate risk. The curriculum will prepare students for adult life as British citizens, in a 21st century, global community.

Option subjects

Students can choose from a variety of subjects and we strongly recommend students choose either French or Spanish. For further information on subjects please read the specific pages in the Options Booklet.

Enrichment

Students will have access to a wide range of clubs and activities every day after school including Saturdays. The Library is available as an independent study space for students before school from 8am and after school until 4pm every day.

Year 9 options timeline for 2026

Further information

All forms should be handed in to main reception by 4pm on Friday 17 April 2026.

It is not necessary to hand in forms prior to this date and there will be no advantage in doing so in terms of being allocated your first choice. Forms will not be accepted if no reserve choices have been made.

All students will have a meeting with a senior member of staff before Friday 17 April to discuss the process, their choices, and answer any questions.

Please contact us via email or by phone on 020 7288 8900 if you have any questions. 

Key stage 4 curriculum pathways

Highbury Grove offers distinct routes or ‘pathways’ at Key Stage 4. It is important that you think carefully about which pathway is best suited to you. The pathways have been designed to help all students fulfil their potential, achieve the very best results they can, and most importantly enjoy learning.

Our Options Pathways Explained

During the second half of the spring term our Year 9 students will have sat assessments that will help us and you to consider the best pathway for success at GCSE. The assessment data is only one element that we consider when placing students in their pathways; we also review their individual prior knowledge, progress data and feedback from teachers. This is an important milestone in your child’s seven year journey at Highbury Grove and we will do everything to support them to make the right choices.

The government’s national ambition for students is that the majority of students achieve the EBacc. This is described on this web page: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/761031/DfE_EBacc_Leaflet.pdf

The EBacc isn’t in itself a qualification, but a recognition that the students have achieved qualifications in English, maths, science or computer science, history or geography, and a foreign language.

Schools recognise that success can be achieved through different educational pathways. All students study the core curriculum which includes English, maths, science, religious studies, core PE, and PSHCE. Some students are well suited to a more ‘traditional’ EBacc route, which keeps a wide range of future options open by focusing on academic subjects such as French or Spanish, history or geography, as part of their options choices. Other students may follow a vocational pathway that better matches their learning style and supports an interest in apprenticeships after age 16. These vocational qualifications have been significantly revised and are now more rigorous, with parity alongside GCSEs. They typically combine examinations with coursework, allowing students to demonstrate both practical skills and academic understanding. We will make recommendations to students on which options are the most suitable for their future success.

Additional considerations to be aware of

* To be successful studying computer science you must have a projected grade of 6 or above in maths.

** To be successful studying separate science you must have a projected grade of 7 or above in science. In order for us to have a viable separate science group we need 20+ students to choose it as one of their options.

*** You can only choose one of the art courses e.g. You cannot study art and textiles.

**** If you would like to study both history AND geography please select one as your additional option. In order for us to make this viable we need 20+ students to have chosen both subjects.

Core curriculum – compulsory for all students

Your Core Curriculum subjects will be:

• English Language – 1 qualification
• English Literature – 1 qualification
• Maths – 1 qualification
• Combined Science – 2 qualifications
• Religious Studies (Year 10) – 1 qualification

Additionally you will study:

• Core PE
• PSHCE

Pathway 1

Students on this highly academic pathway will study:separate science (triple) and either history or geography and French or Spanish.

Pathway 2

Students on this pathway will study combined science and at least one of history, geography, French or Spanish. However, we recommend they choose either geography or history and either French or Spanish. Other subjects available on this pathway are:

Pathway 3

Students on this pathway will study combined science and at least one of history, geography, French or Spanish. Students on this pathway will make two further choices from the options below:

Extra languages

Do you read, write or speak another language? Whilst we do not teach the languages below, we can enter you for an additional GCSE. These languages below do count as an EBacc qualification. Please indicate this on the form.