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GCSE Options
Our GCSE Options Evening for current Olavians commencing Year 9 in September '25 will be held in the Great Hall on: Thursday 13 March, 5.55pm.
This will provide an introduction to KS4 and important information on how current Year 8 students should submit their subject choices.
Please see the links and subject presentations below, together with additional guidance and information.
A timetable of subject talks on the evening, will be included within the letter to parents below, for each Form Group.
| Students are required to submit their option choices, via 'SIMS Options Online' by: Friday 21 March 2025. |
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GCSE Options 2025 - Letter 24 Feb - from Dr Sidhu
GCSE Options 2025 - Letter - 10 March & Timetables
Student Guide for using SIMS Options Online to submit their choices - 2025
Year 8 Options Evening FAQs - 2025
| Students at St. Olave’s take Ten and a half GCSEs |
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The following subjects, six and a half GCSEs in total, are compulsory:
- English Language and English Literature
- Mathematics
- Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- Religious Studies (half-course GCSE).
The following subjects are compulsory but not examined:
- PSHE and Citizenship
- Physical Education and Games.
Students are also required to take four other subjects from the list below. At least one subject must be chosen from the Humanities Category and at least one subject must be chosen from the Languages Category . You may choose more than one subject in either category; i.e. you could take History and Geography if you wish.
| The deadline for students to submit their choice is: Friday 21 March 2025. |
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It is always a good idea for students to discuss their suitability for a particular course with their subject teacher. Parents and students can consult the staff during the Year 8 Parents' Evening on Wednesday 19 March 2025.
Generally speaking, it is better at this stage for students to be guided by their interest, enjoyment and ability in a particular subject rather than the possible implications for careers. It is unlikely that any choice of options would rule out a particular career path, but if in doubt please seek guidance from staff.
Students are strongly advised to read the subject summaries and course descriptions carefully in the Option Booklet above, view the non-compulsory Options presentations below,see the course content of all KS4 subjects via the following link and discuss their choices with their Parents/Carers.
Curriculum 'Subject' pages of this website
| Individual video presentations for the non-compulsory subjects are available below |
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Latin GCSE Students - PLEASE NOTE: When published, the prescribed texts referred to in the video presentation below, have changed. The appropriate prescribed texts are available via our:
Why study Art and Design? (please also see presentations below)
