Curriculum & Qualifications

Independent schools do not have to follow a compulsory national curriculum or guidelines, but most of the courses work towards standard public examinations. This ensures that qualifications are consistent and recognised. These are usually General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSEs) for pupils aged sixteen (Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grades in Scotland), and A-levels for pupils aged seventeen (Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers in Scotland). Some Scottish independent schools also offer GCSEs and A-levels as an alternative or exclusively. The International Baccalaureate is offered at an increasing number of independent schools. Some also offer vocational A- and AS-levels. Because ISC schools are not required to follow the national curriculum by the letter, this allows all schools to offer expansive teaching around the core themes in each subject.

Primary Years
In the primary years from 1 to 6 (for children up to age 10) the three main subjects studied are English, maths and science. These can be tested through Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 exams, although many ISC schools choose an alternate system of assessing the level reached by their pupils. Other subjects such as art, geography, history, music and physical education (PE) are also taught at this stage of learning.

Common Entrance 
The Common Entrance exam is used by some ISC schools (especially boarding schools) to assess a child's ability in core subjects at 11+, 12+ or 13+ for entrance to senior school. The examination is set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB), but the exams are marked by the school at which the child sat the exam. Other schools, particularly day schools, create their own entrance exam. There is a set 'pass' mark, and admissions criteria vary school by school. You can prepare your child by obtaining past papers and subject syllabuses from the ISEB.

Secondary Years
Once a pupil enters secondary education there are 3 stages of teaching: the first 3 years, 2 GCSE years and  2 A-Level years. Years 7 to 9 (up to age 14) continue with the initial subjects and usually divide science into Biology, Chemistry and Physics. On entering the GCSE years, students are preparing themselves for exams at the end of the 2 year course, which will affect entry to sixth form and possibly university. GCSEs require formal classroom tuition as well as informal independent study. The take up of the IGCSE (International GCSE) has increased recently, with at least 200 ISC schools currently offering the examination (usually only in maths and/or science), and a further 38 intending to offer it (as of January 2007) in several subjects. Pupils will usually take up to 10 subjects; however, international students may be limited in their choice depending on their level of English. Students in Scottish schools may use the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) to complete their Standard Grade, and then continue to National Qualifications at Higher (and occasionally Advanced Higher) level, as an equivalent of GCSE and A Levels respectively. Further information can be found through the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The GCSE is currently the last assessment taken in compulsory schooling, although the leaving age is to be raised from 16 to 18 by 2013, which means that 10 year olds who enter secondary school this year (2008) will be the first to have to stay in mandatory education until they are 18. There are also various vocational courses available at this level.

On completing GCSEs, and achieving the required grades to enter sixth form, students begin the A-Level course, which consists of AS Level in year 12 and A2 Level in year 13. An increasing number of ISC schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB). Students usually study up to 4 A Levels, and drop 1 after the AS year, and tend to choose subjects which will help applications for university or employment. There are certain required subjects for entry into specific courses at university, all of which is explained (often by school careers advisors) to students prior to choosing subjects for the A-Level course. This year (2008) some reforms to the A-level are coming into effect with the aim of increasing their difficulty. These include the introduction of an extended project and an elite 'A*' grade. Universities will look primarily at A-Levels points (each grade corresponds to a number of points which add to a total, and each course has a required total for application), but will also use GCSE grades. International students who join an ISC school after GCSE level will be able to obtain British university places based on predicted A-Level or IB results, just as those who return to their native country will be able to use any British qualifications to apply to university at home. The IB was created as an international qualification for the final 2 years of schooling, and it is now an accepted qualification for university entry. It follows a two-year course, just as the A-Level, but it is much broader as 6 subjects must be studied, an extended essay in 1 subject must be completed, as well as a course in the theory of knowledge, and participation in extra-curricular activities. A diploma is awarded once the student achieves 24 points from the chosen subjects. There are also vocational courses, linked to specific careers, available in the final two years of school. For the most able students, Advanced Extension Awards are also available in approximately 50% of ISC schools.