Key Stage 4 Options

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is ambitious, aspirational and is designed to provide opportunities for all students to achieve. In order to ensure breadth and balance, all students must follow a core curriculum of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Combined Science (covering physics, chemistry and biology) which leads to 5 GCSEs. Students must also continue to study PE as part of promoting an active, healthy lifestyle, as well as Religious Studies and PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education), a programme to ensure spiritual, moral and cultural development.

We believe in helping all of our learners achieve their potential, whatever that might be. For many students this will come in the form of academic achievement at the highest level with 9 high GCSE grades. For others, a more practical experience may result in a mixture of GCSEs and technical qualifications. Neither of these is better than the other. What is important is for the learner to succeed at the highest level appropriate for them as an individual, and for them to achieve in a range of subjects that will support future progression.

The Key Stage 4 options process is therefore an important and exciting phase in a student's education. As a result, students will receive a lot of advice and guidance to help them to make appropriate choices from a range of option subjects; these decisions will not only shape their time at Ilkley Grammar School, but will also affect their future lives.

Click below to download/view:

• 2026 Key Stage 4 Options Booklet
• 2026 Year 9 into 10 Options Launch
• 2026 Year 9 Options Evening Presentation

Timings for our 2025-26 Key Stage 4 options process (year 9 to 10):