Year 9 Options
If you are visiting this page as a parent you may wish to see our Year 9 Parents’ Evening presentation here.
Year 9 Options Process 2025–26
Welcome and Introduction
Welcome to the start of the exciting GCSE Options process at Yateley School! This marks an important stage in your child’s education as they begin to make choices about their studies from September 2026 onwards.
We’ve designed a comprehensive programme to ensure students and families have all the guidance and support they need to make informed, confident decisions.
🗓️ Monday 20 October 2025 – GCSE Options Assembly
Mr Hill will introduce students to the GCSE Options process and outline the subjects available, including new additions such as Business Studies, Graphics, Childcare, and 3D Product Design.
Students will also learn how to book taster sessions via Satchel:One (open until Wednesday 22 October).
🎓 Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 November 2025 – Taster Sessions
Students will attend taster sessions for subjects not studied at Key Stage 3, such as Business Studies, Childcare, 3D Product Design, and Graphics.
Timetables for these sessions will be shared during the week beginning 3 November.
These sessions help students experience subjects first-hand before finalising their choices.
📊 Thursday 13 November 2025 – Year 9 Progress Reports
Progress reports will be sent via MCAS, including:
- Progress and effort across all subjects
- Indicative FFT target grades (based on Year 6 SATs)
- Overview of strengths to support decision-making
Please also note the Year 9 Parents’ Evening scheduled for Thursday 21 May 2026, following Spring reports.
🏫 Thursday 20 November 2025 – GCSE Options Evening (5pm–7pm)
Our main in-person event for students and parents/carers. Come along to:
- Explore subjects and meet specialist teachers
- Hear from the Headteacher about making great choices
- Visit the Options Helpdesk for one-to-one guidance with Mr Hill
You are welcome to arrive at any time between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.
🧾 Options Form Submission Window
From: Monday 05 January 2026
To: Wednesday 14 January 2026
Students will receive a paper options form and parents will receive an electronic copy via MCAS.
Note: There is no advantage to submitting early. Take your time to make thoughtful decisions. If you wish to amend your choices later, please contact
options@yateley.hants.sch.uk.
❗ Changing Your Choices
If a student wishes to change their subject choices after the submission deadline, this may be possible depending on course availability. If a subject is full, we will add students to a waiting list and notify them if a space becomes available.
No changes can be made after Thursday 1 October 2026.
Support and Guidance
Choosing GCSE options is a big step — and we’re here to help every student make confident, informed choices. Our KS4 Options Booklet 2026 provides detailed information about each subject, assessment type, and entry requirement.
📘 Download the KS4 Options Booklet 2026:
Click here to view or download the booklet (PDF)
This booklet includes:
- Detailed subject descriptions
- Key assessment details
- Advice on EBacc, core subjects, and recommended pathways
- Information on new subjects and specialist options
Need Help?
If you have any questions about the process, please contact:
Mr P. Hill
Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum and Progress
✉️ peter.hill@yateley.hants.sch.uk
We look forward to guiding you through this exciting stage of your secondary education.
What is the English Baccaleurate (Ebacc)?
The EBacc collection of subjects is not a qualification in itself, rather a collection of subjects that if a student takes them (and passes) they are said to have achieved the EBacc. The EBacc is recognised as a measure of student achievement by both employers and universities.
The EBacc will be achieved by students who achieve Grade 4 or above in English language, mathematics, two sciences, a modern foreign language (French or Spanish) and a humanity subject (geography, history or computer science).
Should I take the English Baccaleurate (Ebacc)?
Some schools insist that students take the EBacc collection of subjects. The government’s ambition is to see 75% of pupils studying the EBacc subject combination at GCSE by 2022, and 90% by 2025. At Yateley School we make the EBacc available to all students but we do not insist on it. Parent and student feedback has consistently shown us that the EBacc should not be compulsory at Yateley School and that students should not have their choice restricted.
Our vision for our students is that they engage with the options that they are passionate about whilst leaving their options open for their future study and employment. As such, we do not insist on the EBacc but we do recognise that should a student opt for the suite of qualifications it can add value to their results when viewed by employers or universities.