FAQ
Final Thoughts At St Hugh’s, we are here to offer personal, practical advice every step of the way. We want our children to feel ownership over their learning and to begin this phase of their academic journey with confidence and enthusiasm. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any stage–we are always happy to talk through options and help each pupil make choices that are right for them. I/GCSE Gradings All national GCSE qualifications and all the I/GCSE courses on offer are awarded numerical grades on a scale from 1 (the lowest grade) to 9 (the highest grade). Although the new number grades do not map evenly onto the old letter grades, the chart below is designed to give an indication of how the new number grades are awarded. Grade 9 is designed to differentiate even further between A* candidates under the previous system, with Grade 4 considered to be a standard pass.
What’s the difference between a GCSE and an I/GCSE? An I/GCSE is an International General Certificate of Secondary Education, as opposed to a General Certificate of Secondary Education. I/GCSEs are often offered by the same examination boards as GCSEs but, in certain subjects, they are considered to be slightly more rigorous in content and structure, hence better preparation for further studies. In terms of qualification for university entry both GCSE and I/GCSE are treated equally. Why are some subjects compulsory? We consider certain subjects to be core subjects in the curriculum. This is in line with the National Curriculum and good practice at other independent schools. Our optional requirements will also support entry to a wide-range of independent or state sixth-form English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Sciences (Double Award or Separate Sciences), usually along with at least one of History, Geography, or Religious Studies, and one of French, Spanish, and Latin. When are I/GCSE choices made? An options evening will be held in the Autumn Term of Year 9. Options must then be chosen by February half-term. This allows the academic team to consider timetabling to ensure we can support all choices. Why do pupils take ten I/GCSE s ? Across the independent sector pupils tend to take between 8 and 11 I/GCSEs. At St Hugh’s we feel that by allowing 10 to be chosen, students have the opportunity to create a broad and balanced curriculum but within that, have the time to properly invest in their chosen subjects, studying them at the requisite colleges. Importantly, they retain the breadth that we believe is central to an outstanding education. Compulsory subjects at St Hugh’s are:
depth. By studying 10 I/GCSEs, pupils also have time to develop their other interests in their week, such as sport, Duke of Edinburgh and community outreach. For some children we may recommend eight or nine I/GCSEs, while in exceptional cases we may allow eleven. It is more important to gain good grades in fewer subjects, than it is to gain more I/GCSEs but with lower achievement in each. Will students be able to study all of their choices? Yes, that is our intention. In the early years of our I/GCSE options, we appreciate that only a small number of students may elect for certain subjects. We will do all that we can to ensure that these choices are offered. Where only one student wishes to study a subject, we will discuss the best course of action on an individual basis with them and their parents. When do pupils take their exams? The majority of the examinations for our pupils will happen in the summer of Year 11. Pupils taking subjects with a coursework focus or a Non- Examined Assessment, such as English Language, Art and Design, Food Preparation and Nutrition, and Design and Technology , will start some of these assessments earlier. Can pupils take a GCSE or I/GCSE early? A small number of I/GCSEs may be able to be taken early at the end of Year 10. These might include Latin, short-course Religious Studies, and Global Citizenship. Other subjects will be taken at the end of Year 11. Where a subject is taken early, it will allow for greater study time on the remaining I/GCSEs in Year 11. Such decisions will be made only with agreement of the School, student, and parents. Will Learning Success be available? As our school grows, so too will the Learning Success Department. Pupils with specific
New Grade (9–1) Old Grade (A*–G)
Notes
Higher than the old A*, awarded to top ~3%
9
High A*
Roughly equivalent to the top end of an A* and A Directly aligned with an old A Upper end of the old B grade Considered a “strong pass”
8
Low A* / High A
7 6 5 4 3 2
A
High B
Low B / High C
C
Standard pass; roughly equivalent to old C
D / E E / F F / G
Below standard pass Lower tier grades Lowest pass grade
1
U
U
Unclassified – did not achieve a pass
7
6 6
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