Year 9 Options Process 2026
The Year 9 options process is an important first step in your child making decisions that will shape their educational future. All students will continue to follow a broad and balanced curriculum, but within that, will begin to make choices about some of the subjects they want to study further and that will set them up well for the future.
What does Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) look like at HASJW?
Students study ‘level2’ qualifications during these two years, which include GCSEs and vocational qualifications such as BTECs.
All students study the ‘core’ subjects of English Language, English Literature, Maths and Science which is taught within the following specialisms; Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All students take part in ‘Core P.E’. lessons in line with government policy, they will not be graded or receive a GCSE qualification in this subject, but it is important for their physical health and mental wellbeing that they take part in regular sporting activity.
Many of our students study the ‘Ebacc’ suite of subjects, which is the core subjects plus a ‘humanities subject’ (History or Geography) and a modern foreign language (French or Spanish). When studying a modern foreign language students continue with the language that they have been studying during years 7 – 9.
Students will all study either nine or ten subjects and will all have access to a broad and balanced curriculum offer that best suit their strengths and supports them to fulfil their potential and prepares them for post-16 study. Students are allocated to one of three pathways, information about the three pathways can be found below. The choices they students will make depend upon the pathway they are in.
Deadlines and Key Dates
- Completion of the options form - Friday 13th March
- 1:1 meetings with staff about choices - Friday 27th March
Key Documents
Link to Options Parent Powerpoint.
Link to options booklet.
Links to option choice forms:
Option subject showcase videos.
The Jemison Pathway
Mae Jemison is an astronaut, doctor and engineer. She became the first Black woman to go to space in 1992, one of seven crew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. A determined student, Jemison received a scholarship to attend Stanford University at the age of just 16, where she studied degrees in chemical engineering and African American studies. After graduating she continued her studies at Cornell University Medical College in New York. She got her medical degree in 1981 and worked as a GP in the Peace Corps in West Africa. She also pursued graduate degrees in engineering. After leaving NASA Mae Jemison founded a non-profit organisation called the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence in honour of her mother. The foundation aims to develop technology needed to achieve interstellar space flight and supports young people passionate about science. She wants to make sure that science and technology are accessible to all!
The Jemison pathway includes studying GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History or Geography, a Modern Foreign Language and one open subject of your choice. All students study core P.E and PSHE.
The pathway is for students with an aptitude for science. Students study academic subjects forming the EBacc suite of qualifications. These subjects are highly valued by Russell group Universities.
The Hadid Pathway
Dame Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi- born British architect, who became one of the most celebrated architects in the world despite architecture being a male dominated industry. She made her early reputation largely upon her teaching and the imaginative and colourful paintings she made of her proposed buildings. In 2004, she was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. She received the UKs most prestigious architecture award, the Stirling Prize in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, she was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for services to architecture, and in 2015she became the first woman to be awarded the Royall Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects. She is responsible for the design of the Aquatics Centre built for the 2012 London Olympics.
The Hadid pathway includes studying GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Maths, Combined Science, History and / or Geography, plus two or three open subjects of your choice (depending on whether you study one or two humanities). All students study core P.E. and PSHE.
This pathway provides you with a range of qualifications and the opportunity to choose subjects that meet your creative talents and interests. The Combined Science GCSE course provides you with a challenging and interesting scientific programme of study resulting in two GCSEs. The course structure provides you with a broad knowledge of important scientific principles, through studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This qualification gives you a solid foundation for A-level Sciences and includes many elements of the EBacc, highly valued by many Universities including Russell group.
The Farah Pathway
Mo Farah is a British Muslim who is one of the greatest runners of all time. Mo Farah’s father died in the Isaaq Genocide when he was four years old and he was separated from his mother, moving to the United Kingdom at 9 years of age. In 1996 he entered the English schools' cross-country championships finishing ninth. He then went on to win the following year. Mo Farah’s athletic prowess blossomed on the track. He won ten championship gold medals, making him the most successful track distance runner in history. Among his achievements are four Olympic gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000m events, a feat known as the “double-double”. This unparalleled accomplishment in both disciples showcased his endurance and commitment to excellence. He is also dedicated to community welfare, setting up the Mo Farah Foundation in 2011. This foundation provides aid and support to children affected by poverty in East Africa.
The Farah pathway includes studying GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Maths, Combined Science, plus four open subjects of your choice. All students study core P.E. and PSHE.
This pathway gives you the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, allowing you to explore your academic interests and creative talents, to develop collaborative skills, technological skills, flexible thinking, and an appreciation for diversity. The Combined Science GCSE course provides you with a challenging and interesting scientific programme of study resulting in two GCSEs. The course structure provides you with a broad knowledge of important scientific principles, through studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Successful University applicants are expected to have achieved good grades in a range of subjects.
