Pre-IGCSE / GCSE

Our Pre-IGCSE / GCSE Summer School Course gives international students starting (or thinking about starting) IGCSE or GCSE courses the academic support they need to acquire skills vital to success.

Key points

  • Perfect preparation for GCSE / IGCSE courses
  • For students aged 13-17
  • Very small class sizes (average 6 students)
  • 30 lessons per week: 22hr 30m
  • Six lessons in each of four chosen subjects plus six lessons of drama
  • Essential study skills
  • Experience of practical science
  • Optional additional individual tuition classes available
  • Full programme of sports, afternoon and evening activities
  • Two excursions a week (including study trips on alternate Wednesdays for those staying more than two weeks)
  • For students with CEFR level B1 (Intermediate Level) and above

Students on this course can choose four subjects from: biology, chemistry, physics, maths, history, geography, English and English literature.

Lessons give an introduction to the kinds of content and skills each subject will need at IGCSE / GCSE level. For example, in science, students do experiments and learn how to describe what they did and explain the conclusions they reach.

In history, students look at evidence and how to examine sources and write up and explain their findings – skills that are important irrespective of the actual period to be studied.

Throughout, students develop their use of the English language appropriate for studying and for life in a boarding school and the UK generally while socialising with others of many different nationalities. Students learn to analyse texts, develop research skills and present conclusions and results orally, in debates or in written form. Drama lessons help increase confidence in speaking and performing.

Students can attend this Pre-IGCSE / GCSE Summer Course for the whole 6 weeks or for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks. For a thorough preparation, we recommend as much time as possible. You can study the same four subjects for the whole time, or choose different subjects in different two-week sections. Topics do no repeat.

My teachers were wonderful, they were very kind, and if I asked a question they explained until I understood.
Sayata, 14 – Japan

Pre IGCSE / GCSE Summer School – 2024 dates

The short courses will take place from:

  • 3 July 2024 for 2, 4 or 6 weeks
  • 17 July 2024 for 2 or 4 weeks
  • 31 July 2024 for 2 weeks
  • 14 August 2024 – Final departure day

Summer school – 2024 fees

  • Fees for all summer courses £1530 per week. This includes boarding house accommodation, all meals, all sports and excursions
  • Early bird discount available if booked with a deposit by January 1st 2024
  • Airport transfer service available form Heathrow, Gatwick and Bristol airports: £150 per student per journey

Timetable

Below is our generic timetable for all our summer courses:

TIME WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
0800-0900 Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast
0900-0915 Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly
0915-1000 Classes Classes Classes Classes Excursion Classes Classes
1000-1045 Classes Classes Classes Classes Classes Classes
1045-1115 Break Break Break Break Break Break
1115-1200 Classes Excursion Classes Classes Classes Classes
1200-1230/45 Classes Classes Classes Classes Classes
1230-1400 Lunch Packed Lunch Lunch Lunch Packed Lunch Lunch Lunch
1400-1445 Classes Excursion Classes Sports & Activities Excursion Classes Classes
1445-1530 Classes Classes Classes Classes
1530-1800 Sports & Activities Sports & Activities Sports & Activities Sports & Activities
1800-1900 Supper Supper Supper Supper Supper Supper Supper
1915-1930 Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting
1930-2000 Prep Prep Prep Prep Prep Prep Prep
2000-2130/2230 Evening Activities Evening Activities Evening Activities Evening Activities Evening Activities Evening Activities Evening Activities

More information

You know, I couldn’t stand studying Maths, but our teacher made me fall in love with it.
Sofiya, 15 – Russia

Contact us with any questions or for more information.
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