As a handy list for me, and for you to see what we’re up to, here’s a list of the GCSEs that we’ve either already done or are working towards, with the boards we’ve gone for and if we’re using providers or self-studying.
AGGIE
November 2022 (Year 7)
Environmental Management iGCSE (Cambridge) – self-studied
ACHIEVED AN A
June 2024 (Year 8)
Spanish GCSE AQA – self-studied
ACHIEVED A 7
Psychology GCSE OCR – used a tutor
ACHIEVED A 6
NOVEMBER 2025 (Year 10)
English Language iGCSE (Cambridge) – using tutor
Maths iGCSE (Edexcel A) – self-study
JUNE 2026 (Year 10)
English Literature GCSE (AQA) – using tutor
Biology iGCSE (Edexcel) – using SouthWest Science School
Chemistry iGCSE (Edexcel) – as above
Physics iGCSE (Edexcel) – as above
History GCSE (AQA) – self-study
Latin GCSE (OCR) – self-study
Statistics GCSE (Edexcel) – self-study (we’ll start this after Maths is done)
PEGGY
June 2024 (Year 7)
Spanish GCSE AQA – self-studied
ACHIEVED A 7
Classical Civilisation GCSE OCR – self-studied
ACHIEVED A 7
JUNE 2026 (Year 9)
Maths iGCSE (Edexcel A) – self-study
Biology iGCSE (Edexcel) – using SouthWest Science School
Chemistry iGCSE (Edexcel) – as above
Ancient History GCSE (OCR) – self-study
Latin GCSE (OCR) – self-study
German iGCSE (Edexcel) – self-study
Business GCSE (Edexcel) – self-study
JUNE 2028 (Year 11)
(in the year after we return from our gap year)
English Language iGCSE (Cambridge) – using tutor
English Literature GCSE (AQA) – using tutor
Ancient Greek (OCR) – using tutor
Economics/Accountancy – not fully decided which – self-study
So, why are the girls finishing their GCSEs so early?
Aggie will have completed all of her GCSEs in summer 2026 which is the end of her year 10. Peggy will have done most of hers by the end of her year 9 too. The reason for this is that we’re taking a family gap year from July 2026 to July 2027 (Aggie’s year 11 and Peggy’s year 10) to turn our home education into worldschooling. We won’t be doing any exams in that year, but the girls may continue to do some non-exam focused learning or courses on our travels (their choice – I’d actually prefer they didn’t!). On our return, Aggie will start A levels at a local sixth form college. She’ll be able to complete her application form early in her year 11 with all of her results known which will save us having to come up with predicted grades.
Aggie is an October birthday so, although she’ll be sitting exams in her year 10, she’ll only be two months younger than I was when I sat mine in year 11 with an August birthday. She’s mature and bright enough to take them early and her results so far have proven that she’s more than up for the challenge.
Peggy is a May birthday so much younger for her year. We’ve therefore decided to leave both English exams until we get back so she’ll take these in her year 11; statistics heavily prove that older children are more likely to get higher grades. In theory, Peggy only needs to do the two English GCSEs in her final year as she’s got more than enough GCSEs under her belt, but she’s wanting to carry on and do even more! With Aggie at college, she’ll be home alone for one year and will have my undivided attention. It’ll also be our family’s last ever year of home education so we’re inclined to keep going and make the most of it!
