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Choosing Your Subjects What do I need to consider when choosing my GCSE options? It is really important that you discuss your programme of study for the next two years with your Form Tutor and your parents. They are there to support you in this important decision-making process. When considering your choices, you should ask yourself the following questions: What subjects am I really interested in? What subjects do I really enjoy? Remember that motivation is essential to academic success. What are my strengths? Which subjects am I likely to make excellent progress in? Are my choices sensible, i.e. subjects that ensure a broad education and keep options open for the future? How well will I be able to balance any non-examined assessment (“coursework”) components? What sort of university course would I like to attend? Certain courses require specific A Levels so you should choose your GCSE subjects with this in mind. Some other considerations to note regarding GCSE choices at Merchant Taylors’: The core academic curriculum consists of English Literature, English Language, Mathematics and Science. You have a choice of Science courses available: you can choose all three separate Sciences (awarded three GCSEs), two of the three separate Sciences (awarded two GCSEs) or a single award combined Science course (awarded one GCSE). It should be noted that the single award course, whilst a robust GCSE, is not suitable for progression to A Level Science subjects. You then have several option subjects to select. The exact number of options depends on your Science choices: If you select three separate Sciences (i.e. Biology, Chemistry and Physics), you have three options available.
