What is the Year 9 Options Process?
The Year 9 options process involves parents, students and staff working together to decide the best subjects for students to study at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11).
This is an exciting opportunity to reflect on the future aspirations of our students, allowing them to consider the pathway they will take to post-16 education. We want students to make the best choices for their future success and, as such, this programme of study requires careful consideration. The options process has therefore been carefully designed to encourage students to be reflective and support them in making informed and balanced decisions.
Getting the right combination of subjects is crucial at this stage. To guide you, we have put together a series of information and aimed to answer a lot of the most common questions in this collection of web pages. You will also see from the step by step guide that there a number of opportunities to discuss these decisions with staff who will offer support and guidance to your child throughout the options process.
Should you have any questions regarding your child's choices, please contact your child’s tutor or Head of Year in the first instance.
Should you have any questions around the process itself or regarding your access to make choices, please email options@twynhamschool.com in the first instance.
What is a broad and balanced curriculum?
It is important that we ensure that all students follow a broad and balanced curriculum that is appropriate for their academic ability.
All students will study the core subjects.
Students can choose to study either Geography or History, and they will also be able to choose two further optional subjects.
The section titled ‘Choosing your options’ includes more information on how to access the online options portal. Students will be able to log in and see which subjects they must continue to study and which are available as options.
How will students be supported?
Students will be supported by their tutor, subject teachers and senior members of staff throughout the options process and they will be given support and advice through their PSHE lessons.
January 2026
What are the Core Subjects?
In Years 10 and 11 all students study the Core Subjects:
Students will study either Geography or History, meaning they can choose two further optional subjects.
In addition to the core curriculum, all students continue to receive core PE, RE and PSHE lessons, and have access to a range of clubs and activities.
What are the Optional Subjects?
Students will choose History or Geography and two optional subjects to study alongside the core subjects.
GCSE Courses
Vocational Courses
What advice would you give to students and parents/carers?
| The right reasons | The wrong reasons |
| I am good at this subject | I like the teacher |
| I know that this subject will help me to achieve my post-16 ambitions | All my friends are doing this subject |
| I want to keep my options open so I have chosen a broad range of subjects | The other choices are too difficult / boring |
| I have achieved good marks and feedback in that subject |
Students will choose their options online, with support from their parents.
Click here to access the Options Portal and choose your options
Click here to see a guide on how to use our Options Portal
Usernames and passwords will be issued to students via their school email address.
Students will have a dedicated options PSHE lesson in which they will explore careers and the options website.
Once all students have made their choices and timetabling has been completed, students and parents/carers will receive final confirmation of their option choices. We expect this to be in the Summer Term.
Should you have any questions regarding your choices, please contact your tutor or Miss Ball, Head of Year 9 in the first instance.
Should you have any questions around the process itself or regarding your access to the options portal, please email options@twynhamschool.com in the first instance.
Twynham Learning exists to be a powerful movement for social equality and provide world-class opportunities irrespective of background. We are a charitable Trust which brings together and supports a family of schools on the Dorset coast.
Visit Site
