Students achieve top grades in BACs – Bedales alternative to GCSEs

Students achieve top grades in BACs – Bedales alternative to GCSEs

24/08/2010

Bedales is celebrating impressive exam results on GCSE results day; and unlike any other school, Bedales students tailor their studies by choosing a combination of GCSEs, the more challenging IGCSEs, and the school’s unique GCSE alternative, Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs). The combined GCSE/IGCSE/BAC pass mark of 96% at grades A* - C is a percentage point higher than last year. 

Commenting on the students’ achievements, Keith Budge, Headmaster, Bedales Schools said: “Congratulations to our students who have put a lot of hard work into achieving these grades, and the results are a testament to their efforts. Bedales Assessed Courses are very popular as they put the enjoyment back into learning and are not limited by the tick-box approach of GCSEs. Our unique curriculum provides an excellent basis for students preparing for A level study and subsequent application to university. ”

BACs are externally moderated and recognised by UCAS. Bedales’ unique curriculum is built around a group of five compulsory subjects – GCSEs in English, and a Modern Language, plus the international GCSE (IGCSE) Double Award in Science and Mathematics. This ensures both that the full range of core skills is covered and also that the minimum requirement for much of higher education is met. Students then choose from other options, which include other GCSES (Geography or History for example) and up to four BACs from a total of 11 courses on offer that include subjects such as Ancient Civilisations and Classical Music. Other compulsory courses are Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education.

The content of BACs is broad and stimulating offering cross curricular opportunities that are suited to a wide variety of learning styles. Internal assessment includes a mixture of written assignments, presentations, projects and performances, together with terminal examinations as appropriate.

Bedales BAC and GCSE successes include:

• Christy Callaway-Gale from Petersfield achieved 3 A* for BACs and 7 A* GCSEs
• Laura Stewart from Winchester achieved 3 A* for BACs and 6 A GCSEs
• Hugo Fell from London achieved 1 A* in BAC, 3 A* for GCSEs and 5 As 
• Identical twins Claudia and Sophia Turner from Hong Kong both achieved A* and A grades. Claudia achieved 2A* and 1A for BACs and 3 A* and 4 As for GCSEs. Sophia achieved 1 A* and 2 As for BACs and 4 A*, 2 As and 1B for GCSEs 
• Cicely Robinson from Petersfield achieved 2 A* and 1 B for BACs and 3 A* ,2 As and 2 Bs for GCSE 
• Tegen Evans from London achieved 2 A* grades for BACs and 4 A* and 3 As for GCSEs 
• Rebecca Wilson from Liss achieved 2 A* and 1A for BACs and 4 A* and 3 A grades for GCSEs 
• Henry Evans-Harding from Dorset achieved 1 A* and 1 B for BACs and 5 A* and 2 As for GCSEs 
• Jack Briggs from East Horsley, Surrey achieved 1 A* and 1 B for BACs and 3 A* ,2 As and 2 Bs for GCSE 
• Olivia Yetman from Petersfield achieved 1A for BACs and 2 A* and 6A s for GCSEs 
• Oliver Bradley from Petersfield achieved 1A for BACs and 3 A* and 2 As for GCSEs 
• Katherine Macrae from London achieved 3 A* BACs and 2 As and 4 Bs for GCSEs 
• Isabel Fitzgerald from Chichester, who is also a very competitive sailor at international level, achieved 2 A grades for BACs and 2 A* , 3 As and 2 Bs for GCSEs

Additional notes:

1. As Bedales students can choose between GCSE, IGCSE and Bedales Assessed Courses, data comparison becomes complex. Below is an overview:

GCSE and IGCSE (Mathematics and Science)

%A*/A: 47%
% A*-C: 96%

Bedales Assessed Courses
% A*/A: 55%
%A*-C: 96%

Combined weighted average incorporating GCSE, IGCSE, BAC
% A*/A: 49%
%A*-C: 96%

2. Bedales is the first school to be recognised by UCAS as offering its own GCSE-replacement qualification.

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