Please visit our new section : EXAMS at https://espabooks.com/45-exams where you can find a large number of the most popular books to help students to prepare the main International External Exams : IGCSE, AS, A-Level and International Baccalaureate.

 

UK EDUCATION SYSTEM

The UK education system is divided into five phases: early years, primary, secondary, further and higher education. A child must attend primary and secondary education by law, which is from about 5 to 15 years of age. It is also divided into “key stages” and is as follows:

Key Stage 1 – 5 to 7 years old, Years 1 to 2

Key Stage 2 – 7 to 11 years old, Years 3 to 6

Key Stage 3 – 11 to 14 years old, Years 7 to 9

Key Stage 4 – 14 – 16 years old, Years 10 and 11

Key Stage 5 - 16 - 18 years old, Years 12 and 13

 

EXTERNAL  EXAMS

IGCSE

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is based on the British curriculum (GCSE) but adapted for a more internationally-focused student-body.  It is mainly exam-based and is assessed through the exam board chosen by the school. The most well-known are Cambridge Assessment International Education, Pearson/Edexcel and AQA. The Cambridge exam board offers over 70 subjects, including 30 languages as it aims to be as inclusive as possible to students from a wide variety of linguistic backgrounds, enabling them to continue studying their mother-tongue. The IGCSE allows for differing levels of ability by offering both Core and Extended curriculum papers in a number of subjects.

AS Levels

AS levels  can be taken in the sixth form as a stand-alone qualification. Since 2017 they no longer count towards the A level  but as qualifications themselves which can be used as part of assessment for university entrance.

A Levels

A levels are used as entrance qualifications for Universities and are the final school exams taken by most students in Year 13. They are more advanced than AS levels. They provide the chance to start specialising in certain subject areas and provide a more in-depth coverage of the material and the development of key skills used at university. The choice of A levels should be based on interest, ability and potential degree courses to be studied. In the A level system, and for university entrance, the quality of the grade achieved is more important than the subject to be studied.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes aim to provide a broader curriculum and to develop enquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.

IB programme frameworks can operate effectively with national curricula at all ages.

The IB's programmes stated aims are to:

  •         encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions
  •         develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools
  •         encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts
  •         develop multilingual students.