A School for International Families

The British Independent School Education System Explained

• 1
  Pre-Prep School
  (Years 1 & 2)

  These are the first two years of compulsory education in the UK, where students are taught the basics in a wide range of subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Music, Design & Technology, Art, Computing and PE (Physical Education).

• 2
  Prep School
  (Years 3 – 8)

  Prep School starts in Year 3 (7 years old) and the students remain in the Prep School until the end of Year 8, when they are 12 or 13 years old.

  Students study a diverse range of subjects at this younger age, providing them with a wide knowledge base and solid foundations on which to build before they move on to the Senior School.

• 3
  Senior School
  (Year 9)

  Students join the Senior School when they are 13 years old (Year 9) and in that first year, they start the initial preparation for their GCSE examinations (General Certificate of Secondary Education). At this age, students are able to choose a limited number of the subjects they wish to study, but on the whole, they are still expected to study a wide range of subjects.

• 4
  Senior School
  (Years 10 – 11)

  GCSEs are the first really important exams which British students take at the end of Year 11 (when they are 15 or 16 years old).  The core subjects are English, Mathematics and Science and students can usually choose their additional subjects, typically taking between 5 – 10 GCSEs in total.

  The GCSE programme involves 2 years of study (Years 10 and 11) and towards the end of Year 11, students sit their external examinations.  GCSEs are graded from 9 (high) to 1 (low) and it is generally accepted that students need to achieve Level 5 or higher in each of their subjects to be able to continue their education into the Sixth Form.

• 5
  Sixth Form
  (Years 12 – 13)

  Upon successful completion of GCSEs, students can move on to further education (Sixth Form) in Years 12 and 13 (17 and 18 years old), taking qualifications which allow them access to University (Higher Education) in the UK or abroad.  There are several different qualifications which can be taken:

  A-Levels (Advanced Level): Students take 3 subjects of their choice and can specialise in a particular area of study. Students often take an additional qualification alongside their A-Levels, e.g. an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). Currently, A-Levels are the most popular Sixth Form qualification in the UK.

  IB (International Baccalaureate): Students take 6 subjects (3 at higher level and 3 at standard level) and are required to take English, Mathematics, at least one Science, at least one Humanities and at least one Language. There are additional requirements including an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).

  Foundation programmes, also known as ‘year zero’ or ‘gateway programmes’ are designed to develop skills and subject-specific knowledge to enable students to advance to a degree course. At Taunton School International, students can study on either a one-year or two-year Business Foundation programme.

  BTEC (Business & Technology Education Council): As work-related qualifications, BTECs provide a more practical, real-world approach to learning alongside a theoretical background, giving learners the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare both for university or employment. At Taunton School, students can study BTECs in Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Science or ICT.