14+ Choices  

Are you making a decision about what subjects to take in years 10 and 11?

Find out about all the courses and subjects on offer to see which ones would suit you the best.

What are the main choices on offer at 14+?

• General qualifications - most young people take GCSEs in Years 10 and 11, often alongside other qualifications such as the Diploma.
• A Diploma at Foundation or Higher Level is usually combined with GCSEs and/or other qualifications. Diplomas are on offer in some areas in a range of lines of learning.
• A Young Apprenticeship may be on offer in some work-related areas - and would be combined with GCSEs
• Foundation Learning Programmes - an individual learning programme agreed with your school if you are not ready to move on to GCSEs or a level 2 course yet.
• You may also be able to take work-related qualifications such as an NVQ, OCR or BTEC alongside your GCSEs.
  

Why not check out how all the qualifications work together?

There are some subjects which are so essential that all young people have to study them.  These include:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• Functional Skills

The subjects you will also have to continue studying at school -some of which you may be able to take a qualification in - are:

• Careers education
• Citizenship
• Physical education
• Religious studies
• Sex and relationship education
• Work-related learning

All your other subjects will be optional and will include a range of subjects and courses. Your school will be able to tell you the number of optional subjects you can choose and what's on offer.

 

When you are looking at the different subjects and courses consider if:

• there any subjects you enjoy and are good at?
• you prefer course work or exams - as some courses may have more course work
• you would like to 'mix and match' subjects  from more than one course type - for example one of the new Diplomas with your GCSE subjects  

 

Want to know more about...

Subject choices

Subjects and jobs

Find out how much you know by taking our 14+ quiz

Need more help?  

• You can find out more information about all of the 14+ learning choices on the Directgov website Your Personal Tutor will be working with you for the next few years - so it's a good idea to discuss your ideas and plans with them.
• Your Personal Adviser will also be happy to discuss your options with you. How to contact SGS centre Worcestershire
• Subject teachers will be able to tell you more about their subject and how it will be assessed as well as giving you some guidance about how they feel you'll do in their subject.
• To find out more about how to choose your Key Stage 4 options - with quizzes and help to make decisions about your subject choices and the future you can download the Which Way Now publication

Got a job idea and want to know which qualifications and subjects you will need?

• Look it up on the Next Steps job profiles it's like an online careers library with information about most of the jobs on offer.

 

Thinking ahead to your choices at 16+?