I.G.C.S.E Courses in Thailand.

[Loy Toy]

My 15 year old son has just asked me if I know of any Bangkok based schools that uses the IGCSE curriculum and to teach their students.

As I am aware there are a number of teachers on this forum I would really appreciate if someone could explain to me what this term means and if there are any schools I could contact on my son's behalf.

Thanks in advance.

[FarangRed]

What is IGCSE?

International General Certificate of Secondary Education or IGCSE is usually taken
by 14 to 16 years old students to prepare for higher academic work including AS Level,
A Level, and International Baccalaureate (IB).

University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) developed Cambridge IGCSE
in 1988. It offers variety of areas: Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics,
Creative, Technical and Vocational. British Council Thailand organizes Cambridge IGCSE
examination twice a year to any student. Another examination board, Edexcel, also has
its own version known as Edexcel IGCSE which is offered in some international schools.

[dirtydog]

Pretty sure GCSE was brought in in the UK because students were too stupid to take O levels, originally there was O levels and CSE's for the dumb ones, as students got dumber they lowered the levels and called them GCSE's, at least I think so.

[Loy Toy]

^^ Thanks mate. I'm looking at your explanation with my son now.

I'll probably call the British Chamber of Commerce and Embassy tomorrow to check which schools in Bangkok run the programe.

[Loy Toy]

as students got dumber they lowered the levels and called them GCSE's

IGCSE is usually taken
by 14 to 16 years old students to prepare for higher academic work including AS Level,
A Level, and International Baccalaureate (IB).

Well I'm completely confused now.

[kingwilly]

I'll probably call the British Chamber of Commerce and Embassy tomorrow to check which schools in Bangkok run the programe.

NIST used to offer it, now no more.

BPS still offer it, being British.

ISB do not, as they have an American curriculum for lower levels.

Probably a number of second tier International schools offer it.

tis a year 10 or year 11 certificate.

Why does your son want to do it ?

Traditionally for kids who will not make it to completing their year 12 or year 13 certificate. (ie O levels, AP or IB)

[Marmite the Dog]

I'm sure NIST does/did IGCSEs, and I'd have thought Harrow does them.

Have you checked on their website's?

* Edit - that's the NIST query sorted.

[kingwilly]

Well I'm completely confused now.

DD is wrong.

GCSE in England, IGCSE around the world. A year 10 certificate. If he is going to University he doesnt need it. (Except in Thailand, kids who finish IGCSE can get into Thai Universities, so your kid could get into Uni at age 16/17. - this does not work in UK, Aus or USA, as far as I know)

[Marmite the Dog]

Traditionally for kids who will not make it to completing their year 12 or year 13 certificate. (ie O levels, AP or IB)

No - the (I)GCSE is what replaced the O level, and without them you cannot to A levels (in the UK at least).

[Loy Toy]

Why does your son want to do it ?

No idea mate as his grades have been good and he seems to be very conscientious with regard to his studies and schoolwork.

He is not happy with the curriculum this present school is offering and really wants to improve his chances of achieving a higher education.

[kingwilly]

No - the (I)GCSE is what replaced the O level, and without them you cannot to A levels (in the UK at least).

Ah, my mistake then, I always confuse the O and A levels.

A quick edit then,

A levels, AP or IB

[kingwilly]

No idea mate as his grades have been good and he seems to be very conscientious with regard to his studies and schoolwork.

Worth sitting down and asking him same question, is it a short cut to a Thai University ? is it because his mates are going there, is it, as he said, a better offering than what he has currently.

He is not happy with the curriculum this present school is offering and really wants to improve his chances of achieving a higher education.

Hmmm, he might be correct, the IGCSEs are a reasonable option, but better to check what his current school offers for senior school, imho.

[Loy Toy]

Worth sitting down and asking him same question, is it a short cut to a Thai University ? is it because his mates are going there, is it, as he said, a better offering than what he has currently.

He is a bit of loner mate, always doing his homework and when finished practices on his piano and he is bloody good at it. A real good kid in fact and shows real discipline when it comes to his future and I want to back him as much as I can.

Hmmm, he might be correct, the IGCSEs are a reasonable option, but better to check what his current school offers for senior school, imho.

The school he presently goes to seems to have an emphases on the arts and culture and he is really interested in Mathematics and Science.

I too feel that a change is necessary but which school to send him too even though it will mean a move away from the family in Pattaya during the school week.

[kingwilly]

I too feel that a change is necessary but which school to send him too even though it will mean a move away from the family in Pattaya during the school week.

Several good options mate.

Depends where he will live, depends on $ and depends on what he wants.

BPS is close to Pattaya than most other schools, NIST is close to SUkhumvit Road, Harrow and ISB and Shrewsberry are all futher away.

There's several other options as well.

[Loy Toy]

BPS is close to Pattaya than most other schools

I assumed your reference BPS was Bangkok Pattana School.

What does BPS stand for?

[kingwilly]

I assumed your reference BPS was Bangkok Pattana School.

What does BPS stand for?

Bangkok Pattana School

[Loy Toy]

Bangkok Pattana School

Thanks mate and we have a house not far from there in Bangkok so it looks like me and the boy will be bunking up for the week and then going back to the family on the weekends if that is the school that offers what he needs.

[kingwilly]

and then going back to the family on the weekends if that is the school that offers what he needs.

It's an excellent school, rather larger than the one he is probably at now. pricier too. I think Blake7 sends his kids there, worth asking his opinion too.

[armstrong]

BPS is nicely placed near the freeway to Pattaya (I think). Heard good things about it too.

The problem with the lower Suk Int Schools is that it'll take the poor kid a couple more hours to get home with all the traffic on a friday night.

What are his plans after iGCSE as that leaves 2 more years until university.

[Loy Toy]

I think Blake7 sends his kids there, worth asking his opinion too.

I know many who have sent their children there and as my boy can now read and write Thai then it shouldn't be a problem.

I have been told the school is very good and I feel very comfortable after receiving your advice. Thanks mate.

[Loy Toy]

What are his plans after iGCSE as that leaves 2 more years until university.

No idea mate but we will take it term by term.

I have been thinking about sending him down to OZ for his university degree and he is talking about Assumption whatever that is.

And we have a family home just off Srinakarin Rd so the school is only a few Kilometres away.

[Butterfly]

Bangkok Pattana School

Thanks mate and we have a house not far from there in Bangkok so it looks like me and the boy will be bunking up for the week and then going back to the family on the weekends if that is the school that offers what he needs.

Pattana is the top school in Bangkok, super expensive, something like 20k a year

ask Blake7, he is always bitching about School fees there, can't blame him though

[Loy Toy]

Pattana is the top school in Bangkok, super expensive, something like 20k a year

20,000 baht ain't bad mate.

[madjbs]

its around 650k a year for years 12-13 and a little less for 10-11. NIST, BPS and ISB are the top 3 schools in BKK. Each have their plus and minus points.

[Loy Toy]

ts around 650k a year for years 12-13 and a little less for 10-11.

About the same as I was paying at The Regents in Pattaya and thanks for your advice.

Anyway we will work something out, I gotta sell more buckets...........