Curriculum & Examinations

Curriculum

This section introduces you to the programme for Years 10 and 11 which you must take (the core).  

For these subjects you will sit the appropriate GCSE or IGCSE examination(s).  However, education is not only about subjects and examinations so you will also continue to take PSHE, Physical Education (PE), Critical Thinking and Outdoor Education as part of the core. The core includes subjects that we deem to be fundamental to education at St Julian´s School and therefore are compulsory. The St Julian´s (I)GCSE curriculum is adapted to ensure that it is relevant, stimulating and truly international. These adaptations ensure that our students are suitably well qualified to enter universities around the world after completing their education at the end of Year 13.

Coursework

Coursework refers to any component specified by a syllabus that is assessed in the school by the school’s teachers and moderated by the examination board. Examples of such coursework are:

●      Projects, practical work, art, essays, folios of work

●      field work, assignments undertaken and assessed during the course

●      art, design studies

Coursework may include work for which the theme, experiment or parameters of a project have been set by the teacher, or specified in the syllabus.

Examinations

Some of the School's departments will follow an IGCSE (International GCSE) syllabus which has been designed especially for students at overseas schools like ours these include English, Business Studies, History, Geography, Languages, Design Technology, Drama, Computer Science, Double & Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics), and Physical Education.

The grades range from A* to G. We recommend 6 grades A*-C/4-9 for entry to Year 12 and the IB Diploma programme at St. Julian's, with grades C or above expected in Mathematics & English Language.

GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is a UK national examination.

GCSE Maths, Art & Design, Double & Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) and Music  are graded 1 – 9 with 9 being the highest grade. At St Julian´s School each subject department will provide  guidelines at the start of the GCSE course so that pupils know the grading system for their subject. All other subjects assess using  the A* - G grading system.  Further information  can be accesses in this  document.

Examination Board Grades by Subject

Cambridge Examination subjects include: 

Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, Design Technology, English Literature & Language, French, German, Geography, History, Information Technology, Physical Education & Portuguese First Language.

Cambridge (I)GCSE Grade system 

 A*, A, B, C. D, E, F, G, U 

Pearson Examination Subjects include: 

Art & Design, Mathematics, Music, Portuguese Foreign Language and Double & Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics).

Pearson (I)GCSE Grading system 

9, 8, 7, 6 , 5, 4, 3, 2, 1