Options

2026 Year 9 Options Evening

Thursday 5th February 3.45 – 5.30pm

“Life is a sum of all your choices.”
Albert Einstein

 

Options – Introduction from the Head of Academy

We will soon be introducing you to the TQEA options for 2026.

We hope that you will take time to consider the important information about the courses that we offer for study by our students in years 10-11. I am proud that we offer a broad and balanced curriculum at this school. It is a curriculum which allows students to take options which are both varied and exciting and which will help support them as they progress towards their careers. The decisions that Year 9 will be taking now, with the support of parents and teachers, are important and I urge you to take time to consider your subject choices carefully. Please study the information and the booklet and talk to staff at school to ensure that you have all the information you need.

 

A student view of choosing options…

When my teachers first talked about options, I was worried, I didn’t know what I was going to do as a career and I didn’t know what options to take.  Whatever options you pick will impact your life, and they are the biggest decision of your life so far.

However, all the support we got in school helped me pick my options.  The first two options I chose were PE and Geography.  I picked PE because it is my favourite subject and I enjoy the practical side, but I am also interested in the theory side.  I chose Geography as I find the subject interesting.

In addition to this I chose media and computer science as they were two subjects I did well at and enjoyed the sound of after reading the options booklet and speaking to the teachers.  Don’t forget if you ever need any help or any guidance you always have teachers, parents and year 10 and 11 students to talk to.

Finally a bit of advice, these options will set you up for your future so pick ones that you really want and not because your friends are doing them.  If you do not have a career in mind then choose a wide range of different subjects that you enjoy.

Choosing a subject is choosing a direction, not a destination.  Your interests matter, let them guide your choices.  Be brave enough to choose what excites you.  Your choice, your journey.

TQEA’s Curriculum

Our Vision: All TQEA students, whatever the challenge or barriers they face, will succeed to compete on a national and global scale in their chosen fields and will contribute positively to society.

Intent:

All learners in our academies will experience a curriculum that:

is ambitious and enjoyable through knowledge and skills developed throughout their time at TQEA.

is knowledge rich, ensuring access to a wide, global cultural capital – thus maximising lifetime opportunities.

is inclusive, nurturing and tailored towards the needs of the individual.

is focused on developing the very best oracy, literacy, numeracy and digital skills – enabling access to the widest learning and the very best careers possible to ensure we develop global citizens.

is enriching, ensuring all experience a rich variety of cultural, artistic and sporting activities.

is broad in terms of coverage and (at least) encompassing the breadth of the 2014 English National Curriculum.

celebrates academic success and the uniqueness of our local setting in terms of localised knowledge and skills.

develops character, personal pride and the highest moral standards.

celebrates diversity, challenges injustice, promotes equality and encourages the creation of a better world.

is delivered by well-qualified, forward-thinking, skilled, passionate professionals.

We see education as the route for a “life well lived”

Core Subjects – All students will study the following GCSE subjects:

• English Language and English Literature
• Maths
• Science
• Either History or Geography
• Some students will be directed to study French
• PSHE  (this is not a qualification)
• Core PE (this is not a qualification)

What is the EBacc?

The EBacc is a particular set of subjects studied at GCSE that keeps young people’s options open for further study and future careers. A study by the UCL Institute of Education shows that studying subjects included in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education and increases the likelihood that a pupil will stay on in full-time education. English Language and Literature, Maths, The Sciences, Geography or History and a Language.

Options Subjects – In total, students will all study 4 Options subjects.

All students have to choose from either Geography or History. If students wanted to they could study both of these by choosing them in their ‘Free Options’.

Over half of students are directed to study French. However, all students are allowed to study French even if they haven’t been directed.

Students then choose 3 more subjects, to make their 4 option subjects (or, 2 more subjects if they are directed to take French). These are classed as their ‘Free Options’. You will find a page devoted to each option in the Option Booklet. While TQEA is proud of the breadth of options, due to un- foreseen issues, some options may not be able to run.  As a result, not all students may get all of their preferred option choices, making it important that they provide a reserve.

 

How to choose options?

After Options Evening (or a further communication from us), students will receive an email where they can make their choices. They must indicate a reserve in case their preferred option is not viable. We strongly suggest parents read this email so that they can be part of this incredibly important process. After a set deadline, students will have choices allocated on their behalf if they have not chosen their option subjects.

Where can students get help choosing options?

• Parents
• Family members
• Students in Years 10 and 11
• Teachers
• Heads of Departments
• TQEA Heads of Year

Our school telephone number is: 01827 712477

Email: rhiannon.arnold@attrust.org.uk

Options Booklet 2026 – coming soon

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
J K Rowling