Year 9 Options

Our Year 9 Options Process for 2025–2026 will begin with a Pupil and Parent/Carer Showcase on Wednesday 14th January 2026 and will run until Friday 13th February 2026. 

If you have any questions please email vicki.duffield@bvga.bdat-academies.org  

During the Options process, pupils will:

• Attend a dedicated Options Assembly.

• Take part in a dedicated Careers Information, Education, Advice and Guidance session. 

• Take part in tutor time sessions designed to explore each subject in detail.

• Attend our annual Careers Fair.

• Benefit from Q&A sessions with current Year 10 students, who can share their experiences and insights.

• Pupils will also have the opportunity to book a Careers Advice and Guidance session if they need further support. 

Each year, the options process and the subjects available change slightly. To help you and your child understand the process, we have included videos from last year below. While the specific subjects may vary, the information provides a useful overview of what to expect.

We also encourage pupils to give careful thought to their reserve choices, as we cannot guarantee that first choices will always be available.

The Options process for students in Year 9 2025-2026: 

• Wednesday 10th December 2025 - Year 9 Parents' Evening. 
• Monday 12th January 2026 - Students receive their personalised pathway and an options booklet.
• Wednesday 14th January 2026 - Options Showcase for students, parents/carers 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
• Friday 13th February 2025 - Year 9 Options submission deadline. 

 

The Year 10 and 11 Curriculum

In Years 10 and 11 students follow a personalised pathway which is appropriately challenging and carefully designed to prepare students for future learning and employment. Almost all students study 9 GCSEs or equivalent.  

All students in Year 10 and Year 11 study:

• English Language GCSE 
• English Literature GCSE
• Maths GCSE
• Science (dual award) GCSE
• Core PE

In addition to the core curriculum, pupils will select *four option subjects from the following:

• Art and Design (GCSE)

• iMedia (ICT) (Cambridge National)

• Drama (BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award)

• Food and Nutrition (GCSE)

• Geography (GCSE)

• Health & Social Care (Cambridge National)

• History (GCSE)

• Language (GCSE)

• Music (BTEC Award)

• Filmmaking (BTEC Award)

• Philosophy, Ethics and Religion (GCSE)

• Sport (BTEC Award)

• Technology – choose one of: Graphic Products (GCSE) or Product Design (GCSE)

* EBacc Pathway: Students following the EBacc pathway will study a Language (GCSE) as one of their option subjects. They will then choose three additional subjects from the options list above. At least one of these must be Geography (GCSE) or History (GCSE). They may also choose Business Studies (GCSE) if they wish.

Please note: the availability of subjects may vary each year, and not all of the courses listed will necessarily be offered in 2025–2026. Full guidance will be provided during the options process to support pupils in making well-informed choices from the subjects available this year.

If you have any questions about the Options process or if you would like any further advice on which courses to choose then please contact Miss. Firth (Year 9 Academic Leader) hadriane.firth@bvga.bdat-academies.org or Mrs. Duffield (Deputy Headteacher) vicki.duffield@bvga.bdat-academies.org.