(Years 10 & 11)
2 Year GCSE/Pre-IB Programmes
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). Students need to pass these exams to progress into the last two years of secondary education (Years 12 & 14), often called the Sixth Form.
At Taunton School, there are two educational pathways our 14-16 year old International students can take to gain their all-important GCSEs, depending on a number of different criteria, such as level of English, previous educational experience, personal interests, level of educational ability or whether there are any special educational needs.
Option 1
In general students with intermediate to advanced levels of English (CEFR >B1; IELTS > 5.0) complete up to 10 GCSE subjects over the two-year period, taking their final exams at the end of Year 11. Additional support in English is available where required.
Core subjects for GSCE include English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Where required, additional EAL support will be provided.
Students can then choose up to four subjects from the following subject groups:-
Social Sciences; Business Studies, Economics or Physical Education (PE). Humanities; Classical Civilisation, Geography, Global Perspectives, History or Religious Studies.
Creative Arts; Drama, Fine Art or Music.
Languages; Classical Greek, French, German, Latin or Spanish.
Technology; Computer Studies, Design & Technology or ICT
Academic Skills; EAL or Higher Project Qualification
Option 2
Students with lower levels of English (CEFR ≤ B1; IELTS ≤ 5.0) tend to follow the Year 10 GCSE Access Pathway for their first year before moving on to the One-year GCSE/Pre-IB Programme in their second year of study.
To support this pathway Year 10 students will receive substantial EAL (English as an Additional Language) support to boost levels of English as quickly as possible, as well as studying a wide range of other subjects including Maths, Sciences and Humanities.
In Year 11, 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 include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Psychology, Business Studies, Economics, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Art, and Media Studies.
We employ specialist teachers who are qualified and experienced in teaching their own subjects as well as EAL (English as an Additional Language).
Class sizes are small, with an average of under 10 students per class and an excellent record of attracting a wide and diverse nationality mix.
GCSE Subject Options
View our GCSE Subject Options brochure to find out more about the range of courses on offer.
GCSE Results
We are extremely proud of all our one-and two-year GCSE students who have achieved outstanding success again this year. With an overall pass rate of 88.3% (national average = 68%) and an amazing A*-A/9-7 pass rate of 43% (national average = 22%), it is clear that all that hard work and endeavour has paid off.
Many congratulations to everyone involved and we wish them all the very best as they move on to A Levels, the IB, BTECs or our Foundation Programme.
Sample Timetables
Click on the images to view our sample timetables, to give you an idea of the shape of the week for our international students.
Contact ourAdmissions team
For further support and advice, please contact our International Admissions Team, who will be happy to help you with any questions you might have and guide you through the application process.