The General Certificate of Secondary Education (‘GCSE’) is the exam taken at the end of Year 11 by pupils in the UK. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (’iGCSE’) is an international equivalent of the GCSE and it is taken by pupils both inside and outside of the UK studying the British curriculum. The curriculum includes international context and examples. The GCSE and iGCSE are both recognised by leading universities and employers throughout the world.
Yes, GCSEs and iGCSEs are both recognised as being of the same standard and quality, and both are accepted by leading universities and employers throughout the world.
Pupils who wish to join our GCSE programme take entrance tests to check that they will be able to thrive on our academically rigorous programmes. We look for potential as much as performance and take into account the full picture of a pupil’s background and ability. For more information about admissions testing, please speak to our admissions department. Pupils who do not currently meet our entry requirements may wish to consider taking our pre-GCSE access course or academic tutoring with us prior to starting their programme.
The academic year for our online school runs from September to July. Pupils who wish to join after September will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the amount of learning that has been missed and in cases of transfer from another school, the materials covered prior to joining us. In some cases, support from our tutoring team may be required to bridge any gaps.
Yes. iGCSEs can be studied in a traditional school, at home with a textbook, or at an online school. However, all pupils must take the exams in an approved examination centre. We help all our pupils find a suitable examination centre for every exam, wherever they are in the world.
All GCSE exams must be taken at a Pearson Edexcel International approved examination centre. We help all our pupils find a suitable examination centre for every exam, wherever they are in the world.
No, not currently. All GCSE exams must be taken at a Pearson Edexcel International approved examination centre. We help all our pupils find a suitable examination centre near their home for every exam.
Our SENDCo works closely and diligently with all of our pupils with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). A key part of the SENDCo’s role is making sure that the examination centres provide the appropriate ‘access arrangements’, or accommodations, such as extra time or rest breaks, as permitted by the pupil’s recognised need(s). The same accommodation is provided for pupils during internal tests and mock exams at the school.
We recommend that all full-time school pupils take at least Maths, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and one or more optional subjects. Most universities, and other schools which teach A levels, will want to see evidence of at least 7 GCSEs, including passes in English and Maths. Pupils with high academic aspirations are recommended to take 9 GCSEs as a minimum.
No. Examination fees are a separate cost and are charged by the examination centre. Speak to the Admissions team for more information about how we assist you to find a suitable exam centre.
GCSE exams can be taken in January/ February or May/ June, with many subjects also available for examination in October/ November. Pupils in our full-time school are prepared to sit the exams in the May/June exam window, with some modular exams taken in October/November of year 11.
Yes, if you believe that your first grade does not accurately reflect your ability, you can resit any GCSE exam. We can help you prepare for the resit exam through one-to-one tuition or by joining our year 11 group classes.
