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Cambridge Pre-U

Leweston School has extended its Sixth Form curriculum to include the new Cambridge Pre-U qualification from September 2008. It is the first school in the region to introduce the new qualification which already has the backing of the country’s leading Universities.

The choice of 28 syllabuses offered to students in the Sixth Form will now include four Cambridge Pre-U qualifications;  History, History of Art, English Literature and Music. From September 2009 the Global Perspectives paper will also be offered.  Revised AS and A2 Level syllabuses will be offered in other subjects and pupils can study a combination of Pre-U Principal Subjects and A-levels in Years 12 & 13.

Other independent schools such as Eton, Rugby and Charterhouse have been trialling Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects for the past 18 months and will also introduce them in September. Cambridge Pre-U has been welcomed by The Russell Group Universities such as Cambridge, London, Bristol and Nottingham which have been involved with its development. In 2007 and 2008, over 50% of Leweston girls entered Russell Group Universities, (generally the most selective).

An ‘A’ at A-level will be equivalent to Distinction at Pre-U. While Cambridge Pre-U is designed to be suitable across the whole ability range there is scope for students to achieve one grade (D1) above the equivalent to the new A* grade at A-level. This is in response to Universities wanting greater distinction between good candidates and exceptional candidates.

Although Universities can currently identify the exceptional candidates by their A-level module marks, Leweston School is pleased that the new A-level A* grade and the Cambridge Pre-U,  D1 – D3 grades will be a public recognition of those candidates. 

The Cambridge Pre-U has been developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), the world’s largest provider of international qualifications for 16 – 19 year olds.

Unlike AS or A-levels, the courses are not assessed in ‘modules’. The Pre-U is ‘linear’ and is designed to be taken over two years with an exam at the end.

We welcome these new qualifications as well as the revised A-levels because they give our students even more challenge with choice. The students who have chosen Cambridge Pre-U History, History of Art and Music will enjoy the depth and breadth of their specialist subjects with the enrichment of additional skills which will prepare them for University. The response to the new Cambridge Pre-U from parents and girls has been excellent and we have every confidence that girls will meet the new challenge with enthusiasm and success.

More information can be found on the CIE website: www.cie.org.uk/

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