Curriculum
Welcome the Year 9 Curriculum Options process at Harrogate High School. For many students this is the first big decision you must make about what to study. That decision may influence future career opportunities and directions. This is where you can choose which subjects you want to continue with and which to drop for the duration of Year 10 and 11. For further information please watch the video below, it gives a brief outline of the process of choosing your options.
There are subjects you must study, and you will gain GCSEs in these areas
These are grouped into four blocks, as set out below. You will take one subject from each option block and study it for the next two years, four options in total. Some rules exist around the selection of these options which are outlined in the Options form.
Choose one from each block and a back up choice.
Option Block 1 |
Option Block 2 |
Option Block 3 |
Option Block 4 |
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Spanish |
History |
Spanish |
Computer Science |
History |
Computer Science |
Geography |
Music |
Art *(See Note 1) |
Design Technology |
Art *(See Note 1) |
Geography |
Graphics *(See Note 1) |
Psychology |
Graphics *(See Note 1) |
Design Technology |
PE Sport |
Health & Social Care |
Travel & Tourism |
PE Sport |
Hospitality |
Drama |
Dance |
Princes Trust (PD & ES) |
Business (Enterprise) |
Creative iMedia |
Hospitality |
Business (Enterprise) |
*Note 1. Students cannot choose Art in one option block and Graphics in the alternative block, as they have similar content and knowledge. Should this happen Harrogate High School reserves the right to select the next preference in one of the option blocks.
Talking to friends and family, as well as teachers is an important part of the process. Seek advice from a range of people including.
Should you require specific guidance, please email our resident Careers Advisor, Ms P Garner
If you require any further support or guidance in relation to selecting option choices or careers, please contact our Independent Careers Advisor using the details below:
Independent Careers Advisor - Penny Garner’s email: pgarner@harrogatehighschool.co.uk
In is essential that you choose options you are interested in, you will need to motivated to put in the hard work to achieve a GCSE in the subject. If you enjoy the subject, you are more likely to put the effort in. Choosing well means you must think hard about:
It is wise to research and consider all the options before making a decision, it is a decision you will need to live with for two years, so it is important to be sure you want to study that subject.
The flow chart below gives you a summary of the steps you will need to take in order to make the decision about the options choices.
Options Booklet |
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Subject Video Clip |
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Subject teams Question & Answer Meeting |
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Choose Options |
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Submit Options Choice |
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Please click the image below to access a full and detailed description of each of the option subjects in our Year 9 Options Information Booklet.
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Each of the links below will take you to a short video clip explaining the subject in more detail. It should be watched in conjunction with the Options Information booklet above.
Option Block 1 |
Option Block 2 |
Option Block 3 |
Option Block 4 |
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These Subject Teams Question and Answers sessions will be held online, to attend, please email the Subject Leader below and arrange to attend at the time stated. Once arranged the subject leader will send a link to the Students HHS school email account for you to attend.
Subject Teams Q & A Meeting |
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Department |
Contact Email |
Subject Leader |
Week Beg 22/02 |
Week Beg 01/03 |
Geography |
fr@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms F Rhodes |
Tuesday 23rd 4.00pm |
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History |
gep@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms G Potts |
Monday 22nd 4.00pm |
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MfL (Spanish) |
scox@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Mr S Cox |
Monday 22nd 5.00pm |
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Business Studies |
riw@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Mr R Wilson |
Thursday 25th 4:00pm |
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Hospitality & Catering |
lreed@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms L Reed |
Monday 22nd 4.30pm |
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Design Technology |
lreed@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms L Reed |
Monday 1st Mar 4.30pm |
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PE Sport |
ewilson@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms E Wilson |
Thursday 4th Mar 4:00pm |
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Art |
als@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms A Stewart |
Tuesday 23rd 4.00pm |
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Graphics |
als@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms A Stewart |
Monday 1st Mar 4pm |
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Music |
ams@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms A Southern |
Monday 1st Mar 4pm |
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Psychology |
rsanderson@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms R Sanderson |
Tuesday 23rd 4.30pm |
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Health & Social Care |
rsanderson@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms R Sanderson |
Tuesday 2nd Mar 4.30pm |
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Drama |
sha@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms S Hastings |
Monday 22nd 6.00pm |
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Dance |
sha@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms S Hastings |
Monday 22nd 6.30pm |
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Computer Science |
mha@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Mr M Hazel |
Monday 1st Mar 5pm |
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ICT |
lwilson@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Mr L Wilson |
Wednesday 24th 4.00pm |
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Travel & Tourism |
kgudgeon@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms K Gudgeon |
Tuesday 23rd 4.00pm |
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Princes Trust |
kgudgeon@harrogatehighschool.co.uk |
Ms K Gudgeon |
Tuesday 2nd Mar 4.00pm |
Please complete the Options Choice form below and submit by Monday 8th March.