Learning that is right for YOU! We want to send every young person into the world able and qualified to play their full part in it.

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Curriculum Choices Process

Key Dates for Year 9

During the spring term, Year 9 begin the guided process of choosing the subjects they will study in Years 10 and 11. Key dates for the 2025-2026 academic year are as follows.

Curriculum Choices Assembly	Wednesday 4 March
Year 9 Options Evening	Thursday 5 March, 4.00 to 6.00pm
Completion of online form	Week commencing 9 March
Deadline for Curriculum Choices Form	Thursday 19 March
Follow-up conversations	Thursday 19 March onwards

The Options Evening is a valuable opportunity for you to engage with your child's education, discuss their progress, and understand their next steps. You will have the opportunity to hear from senior leaders, and speak with subject leaders and classroom teachers about the right courses for your child.

For any queries about Curriculum Choices, please email jim.brownlow@bulwellacademy.org.uk

 

 

Curriculum Choices

Following the Curriculum Choices Assembly, Year 9 will receive a paper copy of the Curriculum Choices booklet so they can begin to explore the choices on offer before the Curriculum Choices Evening.

You can view last year's Curriculum Choices booklet below. The 2026 booklet will be published by 4 March 2026.

The Core Curriculum

In Year 10 and 11, students will continue on their curriculum pathways in English, Maths and Science. They will sit GCSE exams in these subjects at the end of Year 11.

They will also participate in Core PE and Ethics (Personal Development and Religious Studies) to learn about all of the things they need in order to be a safe, happy, healthy and successful adult.

You can find out more about the Core Subjects by watching the Info-Videos below.

 

Optional Subjects

At The Bulwell Academy, students are required to choose at least one EBacc subject and 2 other subjects to study in Year 10 and 11.

What is EBacc?

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a set of subjects at GCSE that keeps young people’s options open for further study and future careers. It is made up of the subjects which are considered essential to many degrees and open up lots of doors. They include: the Core subjects (English Language, English Literature, Maths and Science); Humanities subjects (Geography or History); and a language (any ancient or modern foreign language such as French or Spanish). You can find out more on the UK government website.

Info-Videos

Click on the videos below to hear our Directors of Faculty give you more information on each subject.

EBacc options (Geography, History, French and Spanish) are highlighted with a green image.