GCSE Options

If your child/ward is in Year 9, they will be starting their GCSE options in September 2023, which is very exciting.

The process for this starts now, which can feel scary for students. We want to assure students that they will get a lot of support from their teachers and Leadership Team throughout the process. Below we set out all the support we offer, as well as a clear timeline of events in the order in which they will occur. Should you have any specific questions regarding options for next year, please contact Ashtrid Turnbull, Faculty Director for year 9 at a.turnbull@harrisorpington.org.uk

Please find the link to the year 9 options preferences form here:

https://forms.office.com/e/YNCy0b7Pwu

The deadline for the submission of choices have been moved to Wednesday 7th June 2023 to allow time for further discussion with you and subject teachers should that be required.

At Harris Academy Orpington, all students follow courses in certain core areas, but there is choice for the remaining subjects.

Compulsory study: 

The subjects which are compulsory to study and are part of our core curriculum are: 

• English Language 
• English Literature 
• Mathematics 
• Combined Science (students can change this to Triple Science should they wish to as one of their options)) 
• Core PE 
• RS (students can also study a GCSE in RS if they wish, which they can choose as one of their options) 
• PSHE 

Available options: 

We also highly recommend that your child selects at least one humanities subject and one modern foreign language. Studies have shown that students who study these subjects are more likely to have success at higher education and university or apprenticeships further in their educational journey. Therefore, your child should choose from: 

• Either History or Geography 
• Either French or Spanish 
• Two other options as laid out in the options booklet. 

Copy of the Options booklet can be downloaded below. 

Timeline

A timeline of events can be seen below, so you can see the types of guidance students will receive over the year.

Stage 1:  Week of 15 May 2023: Options Assemblies with Faculty Director, and a copy of this can also be downloaded below.

Stage 2: Week of 15 May 2023: Students receive options booklets and website goes live for parents. Parents will be able to access the assembly presentation as well as the options booklet online

Stage 3: Week of 22 May 2023. Parents and students are able to access the options form online to make preliminary selections.