GCSE courses in London

The Middle School

We have been teaching GCSE courses (or the equivalent O-Level system) at Bales College for over 45 years. As such, we have a vast amount of experience in preparing students for GCSE examinations, preparing them to move on to study A Levels and go on to University.

Age range and number of year of study

This GCSE course is appropriate for students between the ages of 14 – 16 and can be taken over a period of one (join in year 11) or two years (join in year 10).

Students opting for the one-year intensive course are usually 15+ and can take between 6-10 subjects; this largely depends on the student’s previous academic achievements.

Number of Subjects

The majority of our students take between 7 and 10 GCSE courses, with the choice of taking some of the core subjects (Maths, English) early in year 10 if sufficient academic progress is shown early on.

For further details, see:

Making the right subject choices

GCSE courses provide students with the basis  for entry to A Level courses the following year. Full advice is offered to GCSE students about their choice of A Level subjects through their tutorial programme and meetings with course directors. For example if wishing to take sciences at A Level and/or medicine at University, it may be important to choose certain GCSE subjects.

Each student will be given a personal tutor for help with selecting their GCSE subject choice and their A Level subject choice. Parents will also be involved, and are able to telephone to speak with specific subject teachers, the Head of GCSE at the College, or the Principal and management group for advice where necessary.

Head of Years 10 and 11

Mr Flatley, who teaches MFL to both GCSE and A Level students, is the Assistant Principal in charge of KS3 and GCSE. Mr Flatley is responsible for the day-to-day organisation of the GCSE groups (Year 10, Year 11 and retake), overseeing the tuition of all GCSE students, including monitoring academic progress and reporting to parents. Mr Flatley and the Year 11 Tutor Mr Corcut, can be contacted by parents if they should wish to ask any informal questions about their child’s progress. He has a direct telephone number and Bales College email address.

See also: