What year do they actually choose subjects and start doing exams and coursework

[Ladyofthelamp]

We live abroad at the moment but will probably move back to the UK in the next year or two. Our oldest son would be starting in yr 7 now if we were there and I am trying to get a feel for what stage it will become more difficult for him to move into the school system. Am I right in thinking that the exams would be at the end of year 10 and assessments would be from the start of year 9? And you'd choose courses in year 8? So he would not be at too much of a disadvantage if we were back in time for him to start year 8, even year 9?

Would that be the same in a state or private (or grammar school?)

But also I read this week that 'o-levels' might be coming back so would that mean it would be a once only exam? What year would that be? Would it apply to him?

I know that finding a school place is a whole other kettle of fish(!) but he is bright and should transfer fairly easily as long as he has not missed out on things that are necessary for the exams. I can possibly move him into an international school here also if that would make the transition easier but at the moment he is in an excellent local (US) school where he is being accelerated n all his subjects so the discrepancy is not too big right now. I think the biggest thing that we have to start covering is a language as I think that will be hard for him to slot into later than everyone else. And we do have some IB options available but they seem to only really start in about 3 years (year 10) for some reason

Thanks

[sleeze]

GCSE exams are taken at the end of year 11. The process of choosing your subjects is usually done in year 9 but some schools do this in year 8. Coursework doesn't really happen now but some subjects have 'controlled assessments' whereby the question is known in advance, the students have time to research the topic either at home or at school. This research is then used to write up the answer(s) under exam (i.e. controlled) conditions in class.

There has been talk of old fashioned 'o' level style exams being reintroduced - these would just be exam based I think. I don't think this is definite yet, and no timescale as far as I know.

Some schools (mainly private schools) use the IGCSE syllabuses which are mainly exam based, without the controlled assessment elements.

Hope that helps.

[creamteas]

When they choose GCSE subjects and sit the exam varies from school to school! Traditionally they would choose in year 9, study in years 10 & 11 with final exams in year 11,

But it is not uncommon to depart from this. In my DC's school they choose the first set of options at the end of year 8 (and finish these in year 10) then take a couple more as intensive study just in year 11.

Given the pace of change at the minute, there is also no certainty in anything!

[sashh]

It also depends on the child. I taught a lovely Polish girl at college. She arrived in the UK age 14 with no English and obtained 9 A*-C GCSEs. She did fail English and had to resit it.

Your son sounds as though he will transfer well. Where in the UK are you moving? There is a US high school in London.

[SophiaWinters]

At my son's school at the end of year 8 he has chosen two subjects to start studying for GCSE from year 9, he will sit those two GCSE exams in Year 10. At the end of year 9 he will choose another two subjects and a further two subjects the year after, he will sit those GCSE exams in Year 11. At the beginning of year 9 he will also start a Human Health & Physiology GCSE course and I believe he will write that exam at the end of Year 9. These are in addition to the core GCSE subjects like english, maths, sciences etc.

[Ladyofthelamp]

Thank you all for the replies- this is so helpful in planning how long we can stay away.