1. Malvern College Briefing on I/GCSE Choices
For entry into the Remove in September 2018

2. GCSEs & IGCSEs
At Malvern, like at most other UK independent schools, we offer a mix of GCSEs and IGCSEs.
The ‘I’ denotes ‘international’ but IGCSEs are awarded by UK exam boards, just like GCSEs. Universities regard them as entirely equivalent.

3. How many I/GCSEs do the Remove/Hundred take?
Most pupils will take 10 I/GCSEs:
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
The equivalent of at least 2 Science I/GCSEs
Plus 5 optional I/GCSE subjects

4. 5 Optional Subjects (for most pupils)
• Most pupils will take 5 optional subjects
• It might be appropriate for a minority of pupils to take 4 optional subjects if their tutor and Mrs Swart, Head of Lower School: Academic, think that is right for them, for example, in order to fit Learning Enhancement lessons in to their timetable.

5. Modern Foreign or Classical Languages
Except for pupils in the lowest FY French or Spanish set, pupils must choose at least one Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish) or Classical Language (Latin or Classical Greek).
Non-native English speakers may choose to study a Modern Language but do not have to do so.

6. More than the standard
A significant minority of pupils take more than the ‘standard’ 10 I/GCSEs if they do Additional Mathematics (which doesn’t require them to use one of their 5 optional subject choices) or an additional language by private tuition.

7. REMOVE CURRICULUM, with number of lessons allocated
ENG
MATHS
SCIENCE
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
OPTION 3
OPTION 4
OPTION 5 3 6
Life Skills & Ethics
‘Core’ Physical Education for those doing PE GCSE
Tutor Period 1

8. Remove Curriculum Compulsory Subjects: • Mathematics IGCSE
Biology, Chemistry, Physics (either as Dual Award Science IGCSE or Triple Award Science IGCSE)
English Language IGCSE
English Literature IGCSE
Except for pupils in the lowest FY French or Spanish set, pupils must choose at least one Modern Foreign Language or Classical Language
English as an additional language (for non-native English speakers)
Life Skills & Ethics

9. Remove Curriculum
Mathematics: All pupils will take IGCSE Mathematics with the top set taking Additional Mathematics as well
Science: There is the choice of taking either Double Award Science or Triple award Science
EAL: All non-native English speakers in the FY who currently take English as an additional language must continue with EAL in the Remove & Hundred.
MUSIC, ART, PE, TECHNOLOGY, DRAMA & SPORT SCHOLARS DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE THOSE SUBJECTS FOR GCSE

10. Optional Subjects
Apart from pupils in the lowest FY Maths set, pupils choose 5 optional subjects
Pupils in the lowest FY Maths set usually choose 4 optional subjects.
Non-native English speakers must choose EAL as one of their options.

11. Optional Subjects Triple Award Science Art and Design Music Drama
Physical Education GCSE
Design Technology
French
German
Spanish

12. Optional Subjects Continued
Greek
Latin
History
Geography
Religious Studies
Computer Science

13. Timings
Parents receive the information on choices via before Half-term in the Lent Term
FY pupils receive GCSE booklet and have a briefing on GCSE choices in the week before Half-term in the Lent Term
Pupils make their preliminary choices in Week 7 of the Lent Term
Blocking of subjects will then commence
• Choices refined later in the Lent Term & during the Summer term
Refinements to the options blocks made to accommodate as many pupils’ first choices as possible

14. Pupils should talk to: Their parents Their tutor
Their Housemaster/Housemistress
Their teachers and Heads of Departments
Mrs Swart (Head of Lower School: Academic)
• Mr Gauci (Deputy Head: Academic)

15. I/GCSE Reform
• The teaching of new I/GCSEs in all subjects began in September 2016 or in September 2017 • A new grading system of 9-1 (9 = the highest) has replaced the old A*-U scale for all subjects

16. New GCSE/IGCSE Grading Structure
Old GCSE/IGCSE structure
A* A
B C D E F G U
New GCSE/IGCSE structure U
 4 and above
= C and above
Broadly the same proportion of candidates will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve a grade A and above
Broadly the same proportion of candidates will achieve a grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above