Exam time is nerve-wracking for any school pupil and independent school exams are no different.听With a wider range of exams on offer, the exam curriculum at an independent school can feel daunting at glance鈥�听
However, there is nothing to fear 鈥� the objective of the varied exam curriculum in the independent 红玫瑰社区 is simply to allow for more options that will suit your child鈥檚 individual strengths and abilities. When considering which school to apply for in Scotland, you can听choose听from听three different curriculum and qualifications听for your child 鈥� SQAs, A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB).听听
In this blog, we will explain the mix of qualifications and curriculum exams that are available at independent schools and the benefits that they can offer to your child.听
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Curriculum exams听听
All exam routes lead to internationally recognised qualifications鈥痶hat equip students for university and life beyond school.听
Schools have the flexibility to mix different qualifications from the three different exam boards - SQA, A levels and IB.听Most boarding schools in Scotland offer the English curriculum 鈥� GCSE and A levels, while some follow the Scottish curriculum 鈥� Higher and Advanced Higher, and others offer the IB.听
You can use our听听tool听for a list of all of Scotland鈥檚 independent schools.听
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Choosing the right curriculum for your child听听
听(National 5,听Highers and Advanced Highers)听are听one of the most important types of qualifications in Scotland.听They were set up to give a good breadth of study听before specialising. Pupils will generally sit听five听Highers in their second-last year of school and听three听Advanced Highers in their final year.听听听
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On the other hand, children who study听GCSE鈥檚 and听A-Levels听under the English system will听focus on three听subjects only听for A-Levels. This听system听is听designed to develop in-depth expertise听in each area.听
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The听International Baccalaureate (IB)听is an academically challenging programme of education听that takes听a holistic approach to developing the听young听learner, and听is听designed to meet students鈥� intellectual, social and emotional needs.听The International听Baccalaureate听is currently offered by two of Scotland鈥檚 boarding schools 鈥� Fettes College in Edinburgh and St Leonards School in St Andrews.听听
The exam process for each will vary, however, we advise that you make your decision based on the curriculum that best suits your child鈥檚 abilities and learning style. Different schools will offer different qualifications and curriculums, so make sure to take that into consideration when making your decision.听听
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Setting up for success听听
The range of curriculum exams are not designed to be foreboding, they are there for schools to better cater to your child鈥檚 abilities and to give you more freedom in your child鈥檚 journey through university and into adult life.听
Whichever exam route you choose for your child, over 90% of independent school students听pass听their exams and go on to university. This is largely due to the high level of quality support that dedicated teachers are able to offer pupils at independent schools, by taking the time to get to know each pupil to develop their interests, skills and confidence.听听
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Independent school exams are nothing to fear and gaining an understanding of them will put your mind at rest. When choosing a school, be sure to research the various curriculums to understand which exams and qualifications your child will best benefit from.听听
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If you are considering sending your child to a Scottish Independent School, 红玫瑰社区 can help you with your search 鈥� use our听听tool or听听with us today.听
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