Year 8 Options

Choosing Year 8 into Year 9 options is one of the most exciting times in a student’s education as it gives them their first real opportunity to select some of the subjects that they will study. It also marks the start of planning for the future; the decisions that are made now will have an impact on post 16 and career choices.

At The Piggott School our aim is to offer all students a broad, well balanced and relevant learning programme.

All students will continue to study the examined ‘core’ subjects of: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (Triple or combined) and Religious Studies (exam sat at the end of Year 10).

Students will also study courses in Physical Education and PSHCE. Opportunities exist to study a range of other GCSE courses.

Please take the time to read the information below.

Key Dates for GCSE Options 2026

Thursday 15th January - Options Information - Live on website
Friday 16th January - Options Portal log in details sent to students
Friday 30th January- Deadline for options preference form (options can be changed after this date)
Thursday 5th February - Online Parents’ Evening
Early March - 1-1 discussions begin with SLT or pastoral staff
End of the summer term - Option choices confirmed

Each department has created a video - listed below. Please do take time to watch these videos as they contain all the useful information that may be required. Below each video is a link to a google form that can be used to pose any questions you might have about each department.

Finally - there is an Options Booklet that will be shared with all students via email linked at the bottom of this page of the website.

Year 8 Options

Key Dates for GCSE Options 2026

Business Studies

Chinese

Computer Science

D&T

Drama

English

Fine Art

Food

French

Further Maths

Geography

German

History

Mathematics

Media

Music

PE

Photography

RE

Science

Spanish