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  1. Home
  2. Curriculum
  3. Subjects
  4. Choosing GCSEs

Choosing GCSEs

Course options
GCSE Exam Board Overview
GCSE Exam Guidance
FAQs

Course options

In Year 10, the following subjects will be compulsory:

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature
  • GCSE Mathematics
  • GCSE Triple or Combined Science
  • GCSE Religious Studies
  • Core Physical Education

Students will choose four additional subjects offered by Ark Victoria from the list below:

  • GCSE Art and Design – Fine Art 
  • GCSE Art and Design – 3D Art: Product Design
  • GCSE Art and Design - Photography
  • GCSE Business Studies
  • GCSE Computer Science
  • GCSE Drama
  • GCSE French
  • GCSE Geography
  • GCSE History
  • Level 2 Interactive Media
  • GCSE Music
  • GCSE Religious Studies
  • Level 2 Sports Studies

Where students are able to speak, write and read an additional second language, we encourage students to sit the GCSE examination at the academy.

Some students with specific needs may be offered alternative qualifications such as the King’s Trust, Functional skills English and Entry level Maths. If this is the case, you will be contacted by school to arrange a meeting to discuss appropriate qualifications.

  • AVA Y9 Options Booklets 2025 (1.36 MB)

GCSE Exam Board Overview

Subject

Exam Board

GCSE English Language AQA
GCSE English Literature AQA
GCSE Combined Science (Double Award) AQA
GCSE Biology AQA
GCSE Chemistry AQA
GCSE Physics AQA
GCSE Citizenship AQA

GCSE Geography

AQA

GCSE Computer Science OCR

GCSE Fine Art

OCR 

GCSE Art and Design: 3D Design - product design

OCR

GCSE Art and Design - Photography OCR
GCSE PE  OCR
GCSE Maths PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE Business Studies

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE Drama

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE French

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE Spanish PEARSON/EDEXCEL
GCSE Italian PEARSON/EDEXCEL
GCSE German PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE History

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE Religious Studies Specification B

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

GCSE Drama - Available from 2024/25 WJEC
GCSE Music - Available from 2023/24 WJEC
Entry Level Certificate Science AQA
Entry Level Certificate Maths AQA

Cambridge National - Sports Studies

OCR

Interactive Media

NCFE

Functional Skills English EL 1

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

Functional Skills English EL 2

PEARSON/EDEXCEL

Functional Skills English EL 3 PEARSON/EDEXCEL
Functional Skills English Level 1 PEARSON/EDEXCEL
Functional Skills English Level 2 PEARSON/EDEXCEL

Personal Development and Employability Skills

The Princes Trust

We also offer pupils the opportunity to take GCSE’s in Community Languages.

GCSE Exam Guidance

The Y11 GCSE exams and revision timetable for Summer 2024 will be uploaded shortly.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) is a membership organisation representing national awarding bodies offering qualifications to pupils in the UK.JCQ Exams Guidance

The JCQ provides a single voice for its members on issues of examination administration and, when appropriate, qualification and wider education policy.

All UK exam boards follow their rules, regulations and guidelines to ensure that schools are following the correct procedures at all times.

  • General Regulations for Approved Centres (314.19 KB)

    Please find the new updated General Regulations document which has been released by JCQ above.

  • Information for Candidates (143.08 KB)

    Please read the above document for information on Exams.

  • AVA Exams Policy (460.27 KB)

    Please read the above Ark Victoria Academy Centre policy. 

  • Managing Behaviour Policy (127.57 KB)

    Please read the above Managing Behaviour Policy

  • JCQ Preparing to sit your exams (196.09 KB)

    Please read the above JCQ Preparing to sit your exams flyer. 

  • Social Media Information for Candidates (124.76 KB)

    Please read the above Social Media Information for Candidates. 

  • JCQ Warning to Candidates (155.77 KB)

    Please read the above JCQ Warning to Candidates

  • Unauthorised Items poster (681.94 KB)

    Please read the above Unauthorised Items poster 

FAQs

Are GCSE English, Maths and Science compulsory?

Yes, English, Maths and Science are compulsory - these are core subjects. All students must study the core subjects.

Can I choose both Geography and History GCSE?

Yes, this option is available.

Should I base my GCSE options on subjects I am good at?

Being good at a particular subject will help you manage your GCSE workload, because you will be able to complete work more quickly and get good results. Results from your Summer exams will be able to inform you how good you are at a certain subject, and this will eventually lead to you studying a suitable course at KS5.

Should I base my GCSE options on subjects I enjoy?

It is fine to consider choosing subjects you enjoy at GCSE level. You will be studying that subject for 3 periods a week for the next two years, so it will definitely help if there are aspects of the subject you enjoy. If you enjoy a subject, you are more likely to work harder which will help to get good grades.

Should I choose a GCSE subject because my friends are doing it?

This is another popular question, and the advice is not to choose a subject because your friends are going to choose it. You may end up choosing a subject that you have little or no interest in and this may affect how much effort you put into the subject. 

Thinking about the future after GCSEs, are my A-Level choices affected by the GCSE choices I make now?

Some A-level options do not require you to have studied them at GCSE first – for example, Psychology or Economics. You do not need to have these options at GCSE to study them at A-level. For other subjects you will most likely need the GCSE related to your option choice, so check with the sixth form, colleges and apprenticeships what they require from you.

Do I have to do French, History or Geography?
Choosing these subjects will allow your child to have a broader understanding of the world that we live in.
How many Level 2 qualifications can I pick?
You can pick a maximum of two Level 2 qualifications

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