Compulsory education in the UK starts at 5 years of age and finishes at 18. At the age of 16, pupils in England take GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations. From 16 to 18, pupils can take a two year A Level (Advanced Level) course, which provides qualifications for university application. The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) is an alternative to A Levels.
Mathematics and English are both compulsory GCSE qualifications for entrance to university.
ENGLISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
| BISHOPSTROW COLLEGE PROGRAMME |
AGE | NATIONAL CURRICULUM ACADEMIC YEAR |
EXAMINATIONS TAKEN AT BISHOPSTROW COLLEGE |
| LOWER COLLEGE PROGRAMME | 7-11 | YEARS 3-6 | INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH |
| MIDDLE COLLEGE PROGRAMME | 11-14 | YEARS 7-9 | INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH |
| UPPER COLLEGE PROGRAMME | 14-17 | YEARS 10-12 | INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH |
| 1 YEAR IGCSE / PRE-IB PROGRAMME | 15-16 | YEAR 11 | INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH EXTERNAL IGCSE EXAMINATIONS |
| ACADEMIC SUMMER PROGRAMME | 7-17 | YEARS 3-12 | INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH |
General English Language Entry Guidelines
| Age | National Curriculum Academic Year |
Common European Framework Level | Commentary |
| 7-8 | Year 3 | A2: Basic Language User | This is equivalent to Cambridge English Key (KET) |
| 8-9 | Year 4 | ||
| 9-10 | Year 5 | ||
| 10-11 | Year 6 | ||
| 11-12 | Year 7 | B1: Independent Language User | This is equivalent to at least Cambridge English Preliminary (PET). This is the intermediate level examination for school aged learners of English, combined with an ability to read fluently from a text, not using phonic decoding on everyday words. |
| 12-13 | Year 8 | ||
| 13-14 | Year 9 | ||
| 14-15 | Year 10 | B2: Independent Language User | This is equivalent to Cambridge English First (FCE) |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | ||
| 16-17 | Year 12 | C1: Proficient Language User | This is equivalent to Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or IELTS Level 6.5 or above (IELTS Level 7.0 for those wishing to study arts or essay-based subjects) |
| 17-18 | Year 13 |
Typical academic year at Bishopstrow College
Term 1: Mid September – early December
Term 2: Early January – mid March
Term 3: End March – mid June
Term 4: End June – end August
The Academic Summer Programme is a 5 week programme available during Term 4, with two start dates.
