Moving to UK from US, where to live?
Aug 21st 2015, 7:22 pm
#31
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
The school transition for your 16 year old is going to be difficult, because at 16 she is half way through what is effectively a four year program of exams every two years. It is probably not possible to do the second set (A'levels), without the foundation of the first set (GCSEs, aka O'levels). I am not sure how the system might process her, other than to start her at the beginning of the GCSE courses, effectively setting her back two years. Be prepared for your thirteen year old to be set back a year too, based on what she has studied.
Aug 21st 2015, 7:48 pm
#32
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
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Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
I don't see why a student should not do A levels without having done GCSEs first.
Aug 21st 2015, 7:56 pm
#33
Was in Canada, now home.
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Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
Apart from anything else, it is not uncommon for students to do a subject at A level that they did not study for GCSE.
Aug 21st 2015, 7:58 pm
#34
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
US schools typically don't have the same degree of focussed study at 15 and 16 as chidren in the UK studying for O'levels. That would make studying many subjects, including but not confined to languages, history, and science, incredibly difficult, though I will agree not actually impossible.
Aug 21st 2015, 7:59 pm
#35
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
Not languages or sciences. The number of subjects where that is possible (practical/sensible) is very few. I don't think my high school allowed it.
Aug 21st 2015, 8:22 pm
#36
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
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Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
My grammar school did. I had a friend who joined the school at 16, from Turkey, did A levels and went to Oxford.
Aug 21st 2015, 9:34 pm
#38
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
Posts: 3,388
Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
I assumed it was. I didn't think you really went to a 'high school'. I presumed that was just an affectation.
Aug 22nd 2015, 6:20 pm
#39
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Posts: 5
Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
Although not very common, it is possible to do the International Baccalaureate in the UK instead of A-levels. It arguably provides for a more focused and challenging programme of study, and it does have certain advantages in terms of admission if moving back to the US or onto continental Europe.
Aug 22nd 2015, 6:56 pm
#40
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Moving to UK from US, where to live?
founder.
