After relaxing at Christmas, Year 9 students all over the country come back to face the hard decision of choosing their options. The choices that students make now, affects the GCSEs that they leave school with and career opportunities later in life.

With so much at stake, we spoke to our Assistant Principal, Leading on Curriculum, Miss Greenslade for some friendly advice.

Miss Greenslade explained that over the last few years Manchester Academy has introduced a number of new subjects to the school.

• These have included Business Studies, Food Technology, Textiles and Sport, Health and Social Care, languages (Spanish and German, Hospitality, Music, Construction and Hair and Beauty.

Manchester Academy has also introduced vocational courses to compliment the traditional GCSE courses.

• These have been GNVQs, CACHE, BTEC Entry level Skills for Working Life, BTEC First Certificate and BTEC Nationals. She feels that it's important to introduce new subjects, when appropriate as it gives everyone an opportunity to achieve.

We then asked her about which subjects, other than the compulsory core subjects, are most popular amongst students.

• She mentioned that there were "superb results" from Business Studies, something she introduced only a few years ago. Food Tech has also been immensely popular. IT, Art, PE and Sport have also been favoured amongst pupils.

Finally we asked the most important question, the question that had been on all of our minds, how does she ensure that we make the right choices? She assured us that the following actions which are firmly in place are all vital to support students in making the right option choices:

• Assemblies (a series of assemblies are provided for students. These include 'what are options,' what are BTECs and GCSE's, subject specific outlines

• Subjects' advice, from Curriculum Leaders and Providers

• Option booklets to inform parents about options

• Detailed booklets for students outlining courses and support

• Individual meetings with Mrs Greenslade - all Year 9 pupils receive an individual appointment

• Options evening

These are all available to help us make the right choices. Options evening will take place on the 7th of February from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m..

Best of luck to all the students with their options from all of the Academy Confidential Team!

By Loren and Jessica