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GCSE options: how to help your child choose subjects

Most Year 9 pupils choose their GCSE options this year. English, maths and science are the core. Here is how to help your child choose the rest well.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

Many schools ask Year 9 pupils to choose their GCSE options in the spring term, often with an options evening first. The dates vary by school, so check your school’s letters or website.

Options set the subjects your child will study for two years. A calm conversation now helps them choose for good reasons.

2. What everyone studies

In the national curriculum, English, maths and science are the core subjects at key stage 4. Computing, PE and citizenship are also compulsory, and schools must teach religious education and sex education.[1]

Schools must also offer at least one course in each of four areas: the arts, design and technology, the humanities (such as history and geography) and modern foreign languages. Most pupils work towards GCSEs, and some take technical awards too.[1]

3. What other pupils are choosing

Ofqual’s figures for summer 2026 show total GCSE entries in England rose 1.1%, to about 5.8 million. Statistics rose most (up 11.9%) and business studies rose 8.5%. Computing fell 7.0% and engineering 8.3%.[2]

Subject
Change in GCSE entries, 2026 vs 2025 (Ofqual)
Statistics
+11.9%
Business studies
+8.5%
All GCSEs
+1.1%
Computing
−7.0%
Engineering
−8.3%

Trends are not advice: A subject being popular does not make it right for your child. Choose for them, not for the trend.

4. The EBacc is going

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was a school measure, not a qualification. It counted pupils who took English, maths, the sciences, history or geography, and a language. In 2024/25, 40.5% of pupils in England were entered for it.[3]

In November 2025 the government said it would remove the EBacc measure, and its EBacc guidance was withdrawn in October 2026. Some schools may still guide pupils towards a language or a humanity, so ask what your school now expects.[4]

5. Four questions to choose well

Talk these through with your child before options evening.

Choose what they love. Keep doors open.

Do they enjoy it?

Two years is a long time with a subject they dislike. Enjoyment keeps effort going.

Could they do well in it?

Ask teachers how your child is doing now, not how they did last year.

Does it keep doors open?

If they have a course or career in mind, check what sixth forms and colleges ask for.

What does the school say?

Go to options evening together. Ask about class sizes, coursework and how each subject is assessed.

Want a second opinion?: Our teachers can talk through your child’s strengths and help them settle into new GCSE subjects, online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. Which three subjects are the core of the national curriculum to age 16?

  2. 2. Which GCSE subject had the biggest rise in entries in 2026?

  3. 3. What did the government say about the EBacc in November 2025?

Your next steps

  • Find your school’s options evening date and put it in the diary.
  • Ask your child which subjects they enjoy most, and why.
  • Write down two questions to ask teachers on the night.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK. The national curriculum: key stage 3 and 4. gov.uk/national-curriculum/key-stage-3-and-4
  2. Ofqual. Provisional entries for GCSE, AS and A level: summer 2026 exam series (June 2026). gov.uk/government/statistics/provisional-entries-for-gcse-as-and-a-level-summer-2026-exam-series
  3. Department for Education. Key stage 4 performance, academic year 2024/25 (2026). explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance/2024-25
  4. GOV.UK. English Baccalaureate (EBacc) guidance (withdrawn 20 October 2026). gov.uk/government/publications/english-baccalaureate-ebacc/english-baccalaureate-ebacc

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.