GCSE Options

What can I study? (those starting their GCSE’s in September 2020)

You can choose one option from each of the columns (provisional option blocks) below. Visit our course pages to find out more about each subject, including which topics you might study and how each course is assessed.

*  These courses represent two options, so you do not need to pick an option from Block D if you select one of these.

Top tips

• Visit the academy website and read about the different subjects on offer and what topics you could be studying
• Sit down with your parents or carers, or a member of staff , to talk through your options
• Choose subjects you enjoy and think about the subjects you are good at
• If you have a particular job or career path in mind, find out what subjects might support you with that career choice. To help, you can speak to our independent careers adviser Mpugh@retfordoaks-ac.org.uk and you can visit our careers and guidance page where you will find out more about career opportunities and links to various useful online resources.
• Don’t choose subjects just because your friends are doing them or you like the teacher – you may end up stuck studying a subject that you don’t enjoy

Thinking about the future?

The three main routes available to you, after GCSEs, are further education (sixth form or college), apprenticeships or employment with training.

While some students have a clear idea of the path that they would like to follow, others do not. The following websites include information about different careers and some include quizzes to help you identify areas of work you may not have previously thought about. They may prove useful when choosing options or to support discussions about options at home.

www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
www.icould.com
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
www.university.which.co.uk
www.plotr.co.uk