Year 9 Options 2026 – Information for Parents

Choosing GCSE options is an exciting and important milestone for our Year 9 students. At Ash Green School, we are committed to providing clear guidance and support to help every child make well‑informed decisions about the next stage of their education.

Below you will find all key information about the Year 9 Options 2026 process, including the curriculum structure, important dates, and where to get support.

Our Key Stage 4 Curriculum

At Key Stage 4, students study a mixture of core subjects and four option choices.

Core Subjects (compulsory)

• English Language & Literature
• Mathematics
• Science
• PE
• PSHE & RS

All students also select four additional option subjects, allowing them to choose a pathway that reflects their interests, strengths and future aspirations.

EBacc Requirement

To ensure students keep a broad and balanced curriculum, one of the four options must be an EBacc subject:

• History
• Geography
• French

Please note:
If too few students choose a particular subject, it may not be possible to run that course and students will be supported to choose an alternative. While we aim to accommodate first choices wherever possible, this cannot always be guaranteed due to timetabling and staffing constraints.

Options Timeline – Key Dates for Parents

Week Beginning Monday 9th February 2026

• Monday 9th February
  – Options Evening Letter sent to parents
  – Options information published on the school website
• Tuesday 10th February
  – Year 9 Assembly with Miss Clegg & Mr Haq
  – Options presentation to students

Thursday 26th February 2026

• Options Evening (4:30pm – 7:00pm)
  Parents and students can meet subject staff, explore course content and ask questions before making final choices.
• Options Form released following completion of the Options Evening

Week Beginning Monday 9th March 2026

• Thursday 12th March
  – Deadline for submitting final options choices

Week Beginning Monday 23rd March 2026

• Friday 27th March
  – Final options confirmed with students

Completing the Options Form

Students will submit their selections using the official online Options Form.

• Forms must be completed accurately.
• If a mistake is made, students can use the ‘clear selection’ button on the form before resubmitting.
• Guidance on correctly completing the form will be shared with all students during assemblies and tutor sessions.

Who Can Help?

Students are encouraged to seek advice from a range of people who know them well:

• Subject teachers
• Heads of Department
• Form Tutors
• Heads of Year
• Parents and carers
• Older students in Years 10 and 11

A Message About Choices

“In an ideal world we would like all of our students to have all of their first choices; however, for obvious reasons that is not always possible. Please be aware that if you request changes to your options, this can typically only be done at the detriment of another student’s choices.”