For this two-year period some subject choices are made: we propose which Science course is most appropriate to a boy; and the boy/parents make some choices as to his other subjects for GCSE.

The decision over the Science course for each boy is made towards the end of the Remove year. All boys then continue to study all three sciences and are taught by subject specialists, but different course structures and final GCSE examinations will be chosen for individual boys. Some boys will take the two GCSEs Science and Additional Science which examine all three sciences; other boys will study a wider range of scientific content and gain in the end three GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Both routes provide the necessary foundation for AS, Advanced Level or IB study in any of the sciences.

The rest of the curriculum also offers some degree of choice. All boys study a core of English, Mathematics, a Modern Language, all three Sciences, and Religious Education. The core modern language has to be chosen from French or German or Spanish. In addition a boy must choose one subject from each of these lists of subjects:

Option List 1	Option List 2	Option List 3

French	Geography	Art
Geography	History	Religious Studies
Music	Latin	Geography
History	Drama	History
Design & Technology	Design & Technology	Music
ESOL	ESOL	ESOL
Classical Civilisation

Please note the following:

These lists indicate our curriculum approach but the detail may change from year to year to accommodate boys' choices. Up to date information can be obtained from the Deputy Head (Academic) or Registrar.

A boy must choose at least one of History and Geography.

At least one year's previous experience is expected for Spanish and German, and at least two years for French.
ESOL teaching can take the place of the Core Language and/or an Option subject, where necessary.

It is indicated above that all boys study Core Religious Education. This builds from their RE course in the Fourth Year. However, those boys who choose the full Religious Studies GCSE course from the Option Blocks do not take this course. Those who do follow the Core RE course (because they are not taking the full GCSE) are encouraged to take the ‘Short Course’ GCSE units in Religious Studies at the end of the Remove Year.

In addition to this programme boys have Games on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (and there is Saturday afternoon sport for picked games players involved in school matches), and after school they may participate in the Combined Cadet Force or the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Many other extra-curricular activities and clubs are also available.

The GCSE work load

On the basis of what has been written above, boys usually gain 10 or 11 GCSEs. The GCSE Short Course units in Religious Studies are normally the only GCSE examinations taken before Year 11, the Fifth Form.

Towards the end Year 11, the Fifth Year -

The Deputy Head (Academic) meets with the Fifth Year boys in their final November to explain Sixth Form AS Level and IB choices. They then have some months to explore the possibilities and indicate their decisions by February and early March at the latest.

For full information on the subjects available at GCSE, please go to the GCSE Subject Guide page.