We (being the top stream) had a year of compulsory Latin in second year (ages 12 & 13), were given the choice between carrying on that or changing to German in 3rd year, then just had to pick at least one language for GCSEs in 4th year (I did Latin & French). I did half a term of A level as well, but got convinced that universities wouldn't want me if I didn't have chemistry to go with maths & physics; in the end, they didn't care so long as the third subject was academic & not practical (like art). Having said that,I'm glad I did change to chemistry; the recently-arrived head of Classics taught a wrong set text and nobody got above a B...