Private School News

Educational experience enhanced by IGCSEs

International GCSEs (IGCSEs) are playing a key role in preparing pupils for higher education, according to teachers at a leading independent school.

IGCSEs were introduced for six subjects at Mount St Mary’s College in September 2009 to replace the traditional GCSE.

The Derbyshire school offers IGSCEs for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, , French and Spanish and teaching staff are already seeing the benefits, which comes after a major report was released this week on how Maths and Science are taught in schools.

Issued by an expert group set up by the Government, the report demands tougher exams and warns of widespread concern over the content of both the GCSE and A-level syllabus.

It argues there is not enough chance for students to display their depth of knowledge of the subject – in particular in A-level physics and chemistry exams.

Ben Naughton, head of science at Mount St Mary’s, said: “We are moving away from the traditional GCSE to IGCSEs for this very reason. The IGCSE offers more breadth, more synoptic questioning and tests a wider range of mathematical skills. It is also more discerning by being examined terminally. We believe pupils are short changed by the low sub-standard GCSE course, and are poorly prepared for A level.

“Since introducing IGCSEs we have seen increased enjoyment of the course by pupils, and they are stepping up to, and are energised by the higher standard. By starting IGCSE biology in Rudiments, making the course in effect a three year process, we are able to diversify, try different practicals and spend more time on individual topics of interest. At A-level, we are stretching the best pupil through OU YASS degree levels courses which extend their synoptic understanding even further.”

The school is now considering introducing IGCSEs for other subjects next year.

Maxine Smith, director of studies at Mount St Mary’s said: “IGCSEs are about doing the very best we can to prepare pupils for the step up to A-Levels and indeed university or higher education

“The pattern and variety of assessment carried out with IGCSEs means that pupils are able to demonstrate a broad and sophisticated range of skills including knowledge retention, analysis and application of information which are vital for future higher levels of qualification.”