Independent schools, igcses and ucas

[itsnotenoff]

I have a y11 DD doing igsces in about half her subjects and her brother will follow in two years. We are now coming across the 'ILN' independent learner number which may soon be linked to UCAS applications (we are now using NHS numbers for picking up prescriptions - everything seems to be accelerating ID numbers!). Can anyone with more knowledge of UCAS and ILN advise whether doing IGCSE for some exams is a problem as they are no longer regulated by OFQUAL? Why would some independent schools still use IGCSEs when this compares pupils to overseas students? Am I concerned about nothing and no one cares what GCSEs you get? Or will it be a nightmare of bureaucracy to prove qualifications for university and onward? Does anyone else's kids do IGCSEs still - should our school have changed?

You're worrying over nothing. UCAS don't verify year 11 qualifications, they trust that the form has been filled in correctly and that the school has checked their students' level 2 quals.

Lots of private schools still do them, including academically top-of-the-pile schools. It's not a problem.

Yes, my dd’s school does them - for science and a few other subjects. I have to confess I find all the different exam boards confusing and not really sure what the differences are.

Igcses are better for the students, independent schools still do them because they can. Be happy your kid had the opportunity to be tested as they learn instead of having to have perfect recall on things they learned a year and a half ago.

My daughter's iGCSE are 100% final exam so not sure you have the correct information here.

Yes, exactly!
@WhatsThatNoisee igcses are no different - it’s all about memorising two years’ worth of stuff…

Independent schools have more freedom to choose the syllabus they feel will prepare and suit their students the best.

IGCSE's are part of the QCF framework which is the important thing and which means that all UK universities accept them.

It was a political decision by Ofqual to exclude them from state school performance league tables.

As for the ILN, I know of their existence as I used to enter students for drama exams but my own son has no idea of his. His college gave it to him to enter in his UCAS form and I presume his school passed it onto his college.