As students reach the end of their first three years of secondary education, choices are made about the academic subjects they would like to study in Years 10 and 11. These courses lead to examinations for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
At Bridgewater School we want all our students to be able to choose the career path that interests them and to have the necessary qualifications, determination and ambition to realise these ambitions. Therefore we strongly believe in the importance of maintaining a good balance of subjects at GCSE so that students can enjoy a broad educational experience and keep their options open for Sixth Form study and Higher Education. A good balance of options is likely to include a Modern Foreign Language, a humanities subject such as History, Geography and Religious Studies, as well as a creative subject such as Art, Design Technology, Music or Drama.
A guide to the subject courses available to Year 10 and 11 students can be found here>. Download our GCSE Options Booklet and GCSE Options Subject Selection Form. Our GCSE subject list for 2026-27 is also available.
| Years 7-9, Key Stage 3 | Years 10-11, Key Stage 4
GCSE Options |
Years 12-13, Sixth Form |
| English
Mathematics Biology Chemistry Physics Spanish French Art Design Technology Drama Geography History I.C.T. Music Religious Studies Games/PE PSHCE
|
Core (compulsory) subjects
English Language English Literature Mathematics Biology, Chemistry, Physics, (as Double or Triple Science pathway) or Combined Science (single award) PE (non-examined) PSHCE *Option subjects from: Art Biology Business Studies Chemistry Design Technology Drama French Geography History I.C.T. Music Physical Education Physics Religious Studies Spanish Statistics (Extra-Curricular, by invitation) |
Art & Design
Biology Business Studies Chemistry Design Technology (Graphics) Drama & Theatre Studies English Language English Literature French Geography History I.C.T. Mathematics Further Mathematics Music Performing Arts (BTEC) Physical Education (BTEC) Physics Psychology Religious Studies Spanish
|
*The Science pathway selected will determine how many optional subjects students will choose. For example, if Combined Science (single award) is selected, 5 optional subjects are then chosen. If following the Double Science pathway, students must select 2 of the 3 individual sciences plus an additional 4 subjects. If Triple Science is preferred, 3 optional subjects are to be selected.
