Hello,
If you are not familiar with IGCSE's, AS and A Levels then it can all seem a little confusing to begin with but sit back, free your mind and all will become clear.
First of all, let me point out the obvious. Everyone is different - thank goodness. That being the case, why would you lump everyone together for education? The same style of teaching, the same curriculum, the same subjects, the same level of learning, all in one class? It makes absolutely no sense to me apart from one hugely important factor.
Money.
I get it; 30 children in a class with one teacher who has one pair of hands is the most economic way to teach children and not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford private education. Personally, I am in awe of teachers who teach a class of 30 children. It takes the enormous talent of an academic thespian with the biggest and most caring heart in the world to do this job which is why it is totally and utterly physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. Kudos to all the wonderful teachers out there.
There is, however, an alternative but it is not cheap. ACE of BRUSSELS SCHOOL is one of the most reasonably priced international schools (go ahead and compare them) in Brussels and it is our policy to keep our fees as affordable as possible. We are an ASBL after all.
So now that is explained, why do we do IGCSE's, AS and A Levels? I chose to implement the Cambridge International Curriculum as the core of our school learning at ACE not only because of its worldwide reputation both in universities and with employers but also because of its phenomenal flexibility. Let me explain.
None of the exams are age related. Read that again. NONE OF THE EXAMS ARE AGE RELATED! My mother sat an IGCSE in English Literature when she was in her sixties and she loved every minute of it. This lack of age restriction means that you can sit an exam when you are ready and not when a school tells you that you must. It also means that you can intertwine levels of study to suit you, so you could be working towards an IGCSE, an AS Level and an A Level all at the same time. This might make Mr Egan's hair turn grey (he's our wonderful Curriculum Coordinator) with the timetable but he loves a challenge!
If that wasn't enough flexibility, there are 2 exams sessions per year at ACE (ask Mr Egan what fun that is to organise!) and you can take the exams as many times as you like, if necessary! Read that bit again. YOU CAN SIT YOUR EXAMS MORE THAN ONCE - or twice or more if you need to. Perfect if you need a higher result or if you find exams challenging.
So, what are IGCSE's, AS and A Levels?
Typically students sit their IGCSE's (the first level of a formal qualification) at 16 but it can be earlier or it can be much much later, as my mother can attest. You can sit the exams in a batch or individually and you choose the subjects. It's as simple as that. If you find that languages are a bit of a challenge but you need a formal qualification in French then you can take the exam when you are ready, even after you have left ACE if necessary. I will explain about that in another blog.
After the IGCSE comes the AS Level. This can be a stand alone qualification or it can be the first of 2 steps that work towards an A Level. Think of it as half an A Level. You can, of course, go straight for the A Level - the choice is yours. Again there is no age restriction but, generally speaking, AS levels are taken at 17 years old and A Levels at 18 years old but there are no rules to this. A levels are the "gold standard" qualification and the passport to future successes.
I have not even started on how you can study for these qualifications both in ACE of BRUSSELS SCHOOL in Auderghem, Brussels AND with our online school ACE ASCEND or even the multitude of subject that are available with Cambridge International. I will leave that for another day but, as you can see, FLEXIBILITY is one of our core ACE strengths.
If this has piqued your interest, whatever your age, or if you have any questions then please feel free to complete this New Enquiry form or drop a line to Mr Richmond in the office at info@aceofbrussels.com and we will do our best to help you.
Until next time.
Bye for now.
Mrs Jackie Daire
HEAD OF SCHOOLS
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