At AGSB we aim to provide an ambitious Key Stage Four (KS4) Curriculum that promotes academic excellence through the study of a broad range of subjects.  The vast majority of AGSB students will go on to study A-level courses, followed by degree level qualifications; the KS4 curriculum has been developed with this in mind. All students will sit between 9 and 11 GCSEs by the end of Year 11.  To ensure that all our students study a sufficiently broad and academic curriculum, some examined subjects are compulsory. 

At AGSB we also encourage students to pursue their own individual interests and talents and with this in mind, we have tried to maximise student choice within the KS4 Curriculum.  As part of their options, students can select their language, decide if they want to prioritise the study of science or if they would prefer to pursue a greater variety of other interests in the arts, humanities or technology.

All students are entered for GCSEs in the following subjects:

A Language (Chinese, French, German, Latin or Spanish)
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Science (either Combined Science Trilogy or separate Sciences)*

* Students can choose to study the Combined Science Trilogy or separate sciences. If they choose the Combined Science Trilogy, this is equivalent to two GCSEs, and means they can choose three other subjects to study. If they choose separate sciences, this is equivalent to three GCSEs and means they can choose two other subjects to study.

In addition to the examined curriculum, students will also study a range of compulsory non-examined subjects.  This non-examined curriculum equips students with the skills and knowledge to leave school as responsible and well-rounded students who are ready for the next phase of their education. 

All students study, but are not examined in the following subjects:

Careers
Physical Education**
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education              
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics ***                                               

**Students in top set Physical Education, will sit the GCSE at the end of Year 10, other students study a non-examined course. 

*** Students will study Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, as part of this they will be entered for the Northeastern University London School Certificate in Philosophy, this is a coursework based qualification which is worth just under half of a GCSE.  

In addition to the subjects listed above, students can choose either two or three additional GCSE subjects (depending on their Science choice*). 

Options Subjects

• Art
• Business Studies
• Chinese
• Computer Science
• Design and Technology
• Economics
• Electronics
• French
• Geography
• Geology
• German
• History
• Latin
• Music
• Spanish

GCSE Additional Challenge

Set 1 and 2 mathematicians (half of the year group) are entered for a further mathematics qualification in addition to the mathematics GCSE. 

The two top set Physical Education classes study for their GCSE in Year 9 and 10 and are entered for their GCSE in Physical Education at the end of Year 10.

For more information about the GCSE curriculum please see the Academic Subjects page. 

Students can access Revision guidance and revision materials including revision lists for each subject using the link below.

If you have any questions about the options process, please contact Mrs Lavin (alavin@agsb.co.uk).