If you would like more information on this topic or to speak with us directly, please contact us on +44 7878 985564. We are available on the phone, via WhatsApp, or register on our homepage for a free consultation call.
The curriculum for ages 14-16 in the UK is known as the GCSE curriculum. Students joining from overseas can potentially join this course directly, depending on their prior learning. An experienced education consultant will be able to advise. We have put together a list of potential subjects you can study at GCSE in top UK boarding schools.
Generally speaking, students will tend to study between 8-10 GCSE subjects. The GCSE course lasts for 2 years and covers Grades 10-11 (Years 10-11) and students most often graduate into Year 12, known as the first year of Sixth Form (for A Level, IB or BTEC) or, very occasionally, the Sixth Form of another top UK boarding school - although we generally do not encourage this.
At GCSE level, all students will study core subjects of English, Maths and Science. The best UK boarding schools for international students will often allow students to take an additional GCSE in their native language/s (an efficient way to achieve further qualifications). Sometimes the Science subjects have additional weighting and count for 3 x GCSE grades, to reflect the nature of Scientific disciplines. Again, an experienced counsellor will be able to advise you.
So in addition to the core 3 subjects (potentially 5 depending on the Science route), students will usually have a choice of 3 to 6 additional GCSE subjects. Some of the top UK boarding schools require a minimum grade in a GCSE subject to be able to continue it for A Level, so it is important to choose wisely and study hard. The great thing about the GCSE curriculum is that there is a wide array of subjects to choose from, meaning there will always be something that matches the student’s interests. Examples of non-core GCSE subjects include:
Astronomy
Art and Design
Business Studies
Computing
Design and Technology
Drama and Theatre Studies
English Literature
French
Geography
German
History
Latin
Mandarin
Music
Physical Education
Psychology
Religious Studies
Science
Spanish
As you can see, students are given wonderful opportunities to explore their interests and lay the foundations for future study, the list above does not even include every subject available. The GCSE curriculum is long established and will enable entry to a range of Sixth Form subjects in future years. One thing to note, UK boarding schools will only offer subjects where they have teaching and staff resource. Therefore, not all UK boarding schools will offer all GCSE subjects. Your education counsellor will be able to check and advise. They will also be able to check the future plans for the subject, as schools may introduce or remove subjects depending on popularity and availability of teachers.
If you are considering UK education but unsure where to begin, allow us to share our knowledge and experience we have with helping over 400 other families choose the best school for them. We can talk you through a suggested list of the best boarding schools in the UK that match your requirements and we are confident you will be pleased with the results.
Finding the right UK private school is a very important task and one that will shape your child’s future. We do not underestimate the importance of this decision and are confident that we can find the perfect UK boarding school for you and your child, based on your exact needs.
If you would like more information on this topic or to speak with us directly, please contact us on +44 7878 985564. We are available on the phone, via WhatsApp, or register on our homepage for a free consultation call.
This will enable us to schedule an appointment, where we look forward to speaking in more depth about your specific situation, and helping in any way we can. We look forward to helping you on this journey.
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