As you move from Year 8 into Year 9 and begin the exciting process of choosing your GCSE options, you are entering an important and rewarding stage of your educational journey. Year 9 at Cowbridge School is designed to be a year of exploration and discovery—a time to broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the subjects that interest you most. This year serves as a vital bridge between the foundational years of your education and the focused two-year journey of GCSE study in Years 10 and 11. By taking this opportunity to explore a diverse range of subjects, you will develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to make informed decisions and prepare for success in your final years of school and beyond.

Options process

All students will participate in the options process. The options process allows students to make a decision on some elements of the curriculum they follow in Year 8. Students will choose 5 options from the options columns of the subjects they wish to study. All Year 8 students will have an assembly outlining the process for them. They will then be provided with a booklet with all the subject information in it and will be given the opportunity to attend the options evening.   

Options information

Annually, there is an options evening at the beginning of February. Please check the school calendar and social pages for information. During that evening you will have the opportunity to hear from the Senior Leadership Team on the process, ask the subject teachers questions and speak to current GCSE students.  

The options booklet can be found here. 

Selecting your options

It is important to choose options which suit future ambitions. Choices should not be made based on friendship, teachers or influence from others.  

Once a decision has been made on which options are to be taken, pupils are required to fill in a Google Form which is sent to their school email address. Pupils need to ensure they are logged in using their school credentials to access this.