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Original poster

What's the difference between iGCSE and "traditional" English GCSE - and why would the top sets be doing the not iGCSE option?

33 replies

Caff2 · 17/07/2014 16:58

Anyone know? Confused. (my son's not top set, btw!)

Thank you.

OP posts:
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qumquat · 24/07/2014 10:48

My school puts the c/d borderline kids into igcse as it's easier to pass. Top sets don't need to do the easier exam. Dodgy in the extreme IMHO but that's probably what your ds's school is doing as well.

TheWordFactory · 19/07/2014 13:18

Basically, it's a bit easier to pass an IGCSE than a trad GCSE but it's harder to get an A*. So schools chop and change to play the system. Top setss really ought to be able to do the IGCSEs but teachers won't risk the grades...

summerends · 19/07/2014 09:18

Caff this recent thread may interest you.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2100641-DDs-GSCE-controlled-assessments-in-English-being-scrapped?

marcopront · 19/07/2014 04:56

There are two boards doing IGCSE. Cambridge and Edexcel.
Which board are they using?

Original poster
Caff2 · 18/07/2014 15:51

Thanks for info - he's predicted a B but I wouldn't have thought that was a certainty unless he decides he might actually like doing some work...

The school have told me that three teachers who just happen to have the lower sets have taught it before hence those sets are doing it, but I think Talkinpeace is in fact right, as presumably there would be no reason those teachers couldn't teach it to the top set if they thought it was not the easier option.

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TalkinPeace · 18/07/2014 13:40

notnow
state schools have been using IGCSE for several years - no need for pilots unless the heads are pig headed

all the state schools I've heard of that use them do NOT use them for the top set - they are used to massage the C/D boundary
because a C at IGCSE is significantly easier than a C at GCSE

Original poster
Caff2 · 18/07/2014 07:55

The top set HAVEN'T been chosen - they are doing the trad GCSE, it's the lower sets that are doing IGCSE.

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notnowImreading · 18/07/2014 07:15

It might be that the school is interested in iGCSE but wants to pilot it before rolling out to a larger group of pupils so is trying it out on the top set - small number, very unlikely to flunk out no matter what, not going to damage the school's results either way, can cope with the demands of an exam system where the teacher is learning the course as they go along. It's quite a good idea. The English Language paper appears easier but the Lit paper really looks quite difficult so perhaps that's why the top set have been chosen.

Phaedra11 · 18/07/2014 07:09

Thank you, but it's not university I'm interested in, but post 16 education.

IGCESs and GCSEs are both level 2 qualifications and will looked at as equal by providers of 16+/further education.

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:42

Thank you, but it's not university I'm interested in, but post 16 education.

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Clavinova · 17/07/2014 20:34

You certainly have to list the awarding bodies for GCSEs/IGCSEs on your UCAS form so I guess that RG unis look very favourably on As/A*s from the Cambridge IGCSE board.

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:33

No, sorry, I know he won't leave education, but he will leave school as his current school (state, academy, very highly regarded school) has pretty high sixth form entrance criteria that, short of a miracle, he will not reach. So I want to make sure he gets onto a good quality post 16 course at whatever institution it is, and am quite worried about whether IGCSE English "counts" as much, if you know what I mean?

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TalkinPeace · 17/07/2014 20:27

Caff
He will not leave education until he is 18 .... the leaving age was raised last year.
But yes, when he's applying for jobs its the C rather than the exam definition that matters.

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:25

I don't think my son will be doing "A" levels - he is likely to get all Cs and maybe a couple of Bs at GCSE, so will probably be looking at vocational training - but I want him to do good quality, meaningful post 16 quals and wanted to make sure that colleges value IGCSE as much as GCSE - so his C or B at IGCSE will mean the same as the equivalent grade at GCSE, if that makes sense? He's a right at the end of August birthday, so it seems crazy to be thinking of this about a not yet 14 year old, but the fact is, in two years he will leave school, and I want him to have the best preparation possible.

Thank you for responses, it is very helpful.

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Happy36 · 17/07/2014 20:23

Thanks, TP, and sorry for the Q. Unis. / UCAS take into account IGCSEs for our students, I assumed it would not be different for those in schools in Britain. Apologies! Smile

TalkinPeace · 17/07/2014 20:17

Happy
Private schools have been using IGCSEs for years

Universities are generally more interested in A levels

Happy36 · 17/07/2014 20:16

Hi Caff as far as I'm concerned there's no reason why schools in Britain should have students sitting IGCSEs, it stinks of results massaging to me.

Whilst my departmental colleagues and I believe that the IGCSE courses taught in our school, for our subject, are equally or even more difficult than GCSEs it may be that with other exam. boards or syllabi there is a statistical advantage at one particular grade boundary that then affects a school's global results positively and therefore pushes them up the league tables.

How do the Russell Group unis. treat IGCSEs obtained by students in Britain? The same as GCSEs?

TalkinPeace · 17/07/2014 20:11

DCs school use IGCSE English and Maths to bump middle set kids over the C/D boundary
All top set kids do straight 'normal' GCSEs

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:01

Thank you, Happy36 - it does confuse me a bit more though as I would have thought that would mean the top two sets would be better with the IGCSE rather than the other way round?

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Happy36 · 17/07/2014 19:58

I teach in a British school outside the UK therefore our students have to sit IGCSEs.

I teach English. For Language our students sit Cambridge First Language which is exam. only (there is a coursework option but we don't do it). Syllabus code 0500. In my experience this course is equal to English Language GCSE and the same standard of writing earns the same marks.

For Literature our students sit the Cambridge syllabus (0486) which is exam. only - on set drama, poetry and prose texts plus an unseen paper (no coursework). I and my colleagues feel that this is more difficult than GCSE.

Hope this helps.

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 19:48

Igcse English is easier for middle students because of the exam only or heavy coursework option.

That makes sense - although it's not how it was put to me by the school. Is it "worth" as much though? If it is - why are the top two sets doing the other option?

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Curioushorse · 17/07/2014 19:15

Other posters have already summed it up. We thought it was so funny a couple of years ago to hear people (often on this site!) saying how much more rigorous the Igcses are. Rubbish. Schools will do exactly what they thing will get their students the highest grades. People rarely write their exam boards on their cvs, do they?

Igcse English is easier for middle students because of the exam only or heavy coursework option.

Minorchristmascrisis · 17/07/2014 19:02

Yes, just checked Cambridge board and they have a first language paper and a separate second language paper.

Minorchristmascrisis · 17/07/2014 19:01

As far as I'm aware there are two types of iGCSE English exams - one for English as a second language and one for native English speakers.

Phaedra11 · 17/07/2014 18:57

There is a common perception that it is easier to get a C grade with an IGCSE than a GCSE, but more difficult to get an A*.

I'm not sure if it's true but perhaps that's what's driving this decision.