In the UK, when students reach 14 years of age (as of 01 September) they usually begin a two-year academic programme starting in Year 10 and finishing in Year 11, which results in them taking up to 10 subjects at GCSE level (General Certificate of Secondary Education).
At Taunton School, there are 2 educational pathways our 14-16 year old International students can take to gain their all-important GCSEs.
1. Students with intermediate levels of English (CEFR B1 – B2; IELTS 4.5 – 6.0) complete their two-year GCSE/Pre-IB programme at Taunton School International (TSI). In their first year, students take up to 5 GCSEs and in their second year, they can take a further 5 or 6 GCSEs.
Class sizes are small at TSI, with an average of 8 students/class and we have an excellent record of attracting a wide and diverse nationality mix.
We employ specialist teachers who are qualified and experienced in teaching their own subjects as well as EAL (English as an Additional Language).
Core subjects are English as a First Language or English as a Second Language, Maths and Own Language (where it exists as a GCSE).
GCSE options are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Psychology, Business Studies, Economics, Travel & Tourism, Computer Science, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Design Technology (DT), Art, Media Studies, Music*, French*, German*, Spanish* & Latin*.
Note that subjects marked with an asterisk (*) are studied outside of the standard timetable and require a significant amount of additional private study.
2. Students with high levels of English (CEFR ≥ B2; IELTS ≥ 6.0) complete their two-year GCSE/Pre-IB programme at the Senior School (TS) where they can take up to 10 GCSE subjects over the two-year period.
Core subjects for GSCE include English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Modern Foreign Languages.
Pupils are also encouraged to choose at least one Humanities subject, such as Geography or History and at least one Creative Arts subject, such as Art, Drama, Music or Design Technology.
Other GCSE option subjects include Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, French, German, Computing and ICT, Economics, Latin, PE, Religious Studies and Spanish.
Upon successful completion of either of the programmes outlined above, students can then move on to Sixth Form studies, where their choices are A Levels, IB, BTEC or a Foundation Programme.
For further support and advice, please contact our Admissions Team, who will be happy to help you with any questions you might have or to take you through the application process.
