International GCSE

ASIBA actively encourages member schools to take International GCSEs with OxfordAQA because they present excellent prgression opportunities for students starting the Baccalauréat Français International in Première.

The benefits of taking International GCSEs include:

• Providing a curriculum structure and teaching resources that enable teachers to provide an authentic age-appropriate first-language teaching programme
• Providing students with the opportunity to measure their progress against UK national standards through external assessments in preparation for BFI courses
• Enabling students to study BFI subjects through English rather than studying English as a foreign language (as is the case with English Language Proficiency courses and qualifications)
• Providing a qualification that can be used to demonstrate English Language Proficiency when applying for places at British or Anglophone universities, and when seeking employment
• Supporting the transition from collège to lycée, especially where schools and teachers work together to implement a two-year teaching programme in 3ème and Seconde
• Supporting teacher development through engagement with UK approaches and standards.  Schools offering International GCSE are part of a network of schools within France and the wider world working towards common standards, allowing fruitful exchanges and communication, and making available shared resources.
• Knowledge and experience of British methods and standards also helps teachers to become more effective teachers and examiners of the British BFI, and therefore plays an important role in quality assurance.
• GCSE is referred to as a point of reference in terms of linguistic standard and curricular content for English Language and Literature in official French texts.  See here

Taking OxfordAQA International GCSEs is beneficial for students in British international sections because the qualifications are designed for international students, focus on fair assessment, and build critical thinking skills for higher education and careers. They are supported by resources from Oxford University Press, use clear language based on the Oxford3000™ vocabulary list, and are internationally recognised.

Fair assessment for international students:

• OxfordAQA uses “Fair Assessment” to test subject knowledge and skills
• The Oxford3000™ is used to ensure exam questions are accessible and written using the most common English words
• Culturally relevant: Content is designed to be more relevant to students studying outside the UK

Develop higher-order thinking skills:

• The curriculum emphasises applying, analysing, and evaluating information
• The qualifications aim to develop problem-solving skills that are essential in a fast-changing world
• Assessment objectives support progression to BFI as well as  higher education and careers
• Global recognition: OxfordAQA is recognised by universities around the world

Benefit from a strong partnership:

• OxfordAQA is a partnership between Oxford University Press and AQA, which brings extensive experience in assessment and education
• A wide range of print and online textbooks from Oxford University Press are available to support the qualifications.

For more information and a useful powerpoint presentation that can be used with school leaders and parents, see: OxfordAQA_IGCSE_1 

A variety of subjects are available and appropriate for students in British international sections:

• English Language (9270)
• English Literature (9275)
• Global Skills Projects (9697) ***NEW***
• Mathematics (9260)

ASIBA schools wishing to offer OxfordAQA qualifications can register their interest on the OxfordAQA website: OxfordAQA International Qualifications.

Please indicate ASIBA in the box labelled “School/Organisation” so OxfordAQA know you’re from an ASIBA school, and won’t charge you the registration fees!

Download the list below to identify what documents you’ll need in place to be registered as an OxfordAQA school.

DON’T PANIC – there’s help below (and in the Safeguarding section) to produce the required documents if you don’t already have them!

OxfordAQA supporting documents required at application and inspection – checklist (5)

Template documents that you might find useful (and must be updated to reflect your specific circumstances):

Malpractice Policy template

Safeguarding is at the foundation of all our work in education.

Safeguarding means protecting people’s health and wellbeing and making sure they can live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

Everyone who works for or on behalf of OxfordAQA, such as staff, associates or partners, has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children and adults at risk from abuse and exploitation.

The guidelines below provide more details about OxfordAQA’s commitment to safeguarding and what it involves:

Guidance on OxfordAQA Safeguarding (5)

In terms of meeting the Safeguarding requirements, have look at the Eduscol site which indicates that « Des protocoles sont établis dans chaque département par le président du conseil départemental avec les différents responsables institutionnels, dont les directions des services académiques départementales de l’éducation nationale, ainsi que les partenaires associatifs contribuant à la protection et aux actions de prévention en direction de l’enfant et de sa famille. » Your proviseur should be able to help you locate the relevant documentation.

Also, you can adapt this blank template of the Safeguarding flow-chart to your own context. Anyone with a Canva account can take the template and edit their own copy. Also available as a PDF for reference. (DSL = Designated Safeguarding Lead)

OxfordAQA have kindly waived the substantial annual administration fee for ASIBA member schools.

A list of examination fees can be provided upon request from contact@asiba.fr.

For all the information you need to administer coursework (Non-Exam Assessments), click here.

Find out more about how to prepare for results day as well as post-results services including re-marks here.