DS moving state to private Y9 this September - how different is Maths iGCSE syllabus to Math GCSE

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Insight from parents who have moved DC from state to private in Y9 with regard to maths going from Key Stage 3/GCSE syllabus to a iGCSE syllabus. Is there anything to be worried about given that DS is on a higher level maths trajectory of at least a grade 7 in his state setting.

Generally felt to be easier, that's why they choose it!

Nope, igcses are easier if anything, so he should be fine!

Do you think that if Igcse is easier it would disadvantage him if he did Maths at A level ?

I don't know I'm afraid. Maybe that's a question for the new school? It can't be massively different, as schools that do igcses do manage to get kids through A levels too!

It's not easier - it just covers different stuff. It's fine to go on to A level afterwards - many privates schools do this with no issues.

IGCSEs aren't easier, they just follow a slightly different syllabus. The whole point of them is that they are recognised internationally and independent schools have higher % of international pupils. So they can sit qualifications which are then recognised abroad.

This is new to us - we are concerned that when DS joins in September he will be disadvantaged in terms he has followed National curriculum and whilst trajectory of grade 7 how different are they? All DC join in Y9 but I’m assuming that prep DCs will have followed international syllabus or is it inconsequential?

I wouldn't worry about maths, he may even end up in top set. It will be languages, sport etc where the differences tend to show at that stage

He'll be absolutely fine, especially if everyone joins at y9. They'll be used to getting pupils from multiple curriculums and syllabuses and they use y9 to align them all before moving on to GCSE syllabus in Y10.

That’s interesting re. Languages. Luckily they do the language he has been doing from the outset - he is slightly above average in language. Latin is optional rather than compulsory.

The differences are fairly minor. Most schools pick edexcel spec A, which is very similar to the domestic spec. Like about 95% overlap. So I wouldn't be concerned at all, and if the school has an intake at Y9 they'll be used to dealing with minor differences in background. Cambridge IGCSE is also pretty similar to domestic spec but less commonly used.
Edexcel spec B IGCSE is a whole different beast and I don't think there's a school in the UK that dares touch it - it's really run for the high flyers in asian countries like Singapore where the whole cohort works ahead of the UK. Anyone who thinks IGCSE is easier would quickly change their minds if they bothered to look at a spec B paper.

One of mine did iGCSE and one GCSE- not much difference at all. A lot of the super academic private schools do iGCSE maths and have huge numbers getting Astar at A level so really don’t think it’s an issue…

I agree that if everyone joins in year 9 then it will be much less of an issue; the school will hopefully make sure all DC are on the same page to start IGCSE work.

IGCSEs are neither easier nor harder, just different. And not always that different. Some have coursework which may be a good thing for your DC. I've said this before so apologies for repeating myself but as an example, in my subject (MFL) the Edexcel IGCSE speaking exam is IMHO easier to revise and practise meaningfully for (I really do not like the format of the CAIE ICSE speaking); but I personally prefer the content of the AQA GCSE written exams. But there is nothing wrong with the IGCSE exams (just, I like translation which obvs doesn't feature in IGCSE).

They absolutely aren't easier. My children both did igcses. Their maths teachers told us some of the igcse maths syllabus (only a small part)is on the A level syllabus, and won't be found on gcses.

They're a great step into A level maths

90% overlap.

you are very unlikely to have any issues.

My DD started at a private school in Yr9 and moved to the IGCSE syllabus with no problems/disadvantage.

Friends Dd has a tutor for eng lit gcse who teaches at one of the local private schools. She said the course the state schools are doing is far more challenging than the curriculum she is teaching in her day job at the private school. Seems so unfair if correct. They have all the advantages and an easier syllabus as well! No wonder sodding contextual offers are needed.

From the schools GCSE curriculum it is only Maths and English that are iGCSEs all other core and option subjects are GCSE including his MFL. So it was only Maths iGCSE that I was apprehensive about in terms of syllabus and my DC being disadvantaged coming from state curriculum not a prep one.

My DCs did a mix of iGCSEs and standard ones. Both their schools got excellent grades at A level, which were the standard versions, so I don't think taking different GCSEs makes much difference.
None of the ones they took had coursework either, they were all exam assessed.

Dds private school friends have far more coursework and fewer exams than the state school pupils. Seems odd to me. Surely this should all be standardised?

Ah no worries. His English may include coursework (and unless things change, he is likely to be done with the exams sooner than peers taking GCSE) but that may be a good thing for him.

No coursework in iGCSE maths.
The point of independent schools is that they are independent and not standardised however as others have said, iGCSEs aren't a million miles away from GCSEs. It's the International recognition that's important

Anyway Labour want to bring in a greater % of coursework to GCSEs so they may well end up reflecting iGCSEs anyway

Surely there is no way coursework can be used now with AI? They would all just get AI to write all their essays? It’s not 1993. .

International recognition for GCSEs?! Is that a thing? Doesn’t sound right to me. They should all be doing the same exams just because you are “independent” shouldn’t mean you get to have your own easier public exams to do!

Yes it literally stands for International GCSE