As students move into the Upper school (Year 8, typically aged 12), they make choices with a view to obtaining one of four levels of the International Certificate of Christian Education (ICCE).  In Year 9, students begin to receive expert careers guidance..

The International Certificate of Christian Education(ICCE) was launched in September 2004 to replace the National Christian Schools’ Certificate (NCSC).  This change reflects the international nature of the award and the status it has achieved in several Commonwealth countries.  The NCSC was set up in 1994 to accredit work completed by secondary pupils who use the ACE curriculum. Hundreds of students have now been able to continue their Christian Education through to Sixth Form studies and to graduate with a recognised qualification. The NCSC, and now ICCE, has been accepted by colleges and universities in this country and abroad for several years as an alternative to the mainstream GCSE and GCE ‘A’ level route.

Students who are ready to work towards accreditation are now enrolled on the International Certificate of Education.  The four levels of ICCE are: ICCE Basic Certificate (formerly NCSC Foundation Certificate), ICCE General Certificate (NCSC Level One), ICCE Intermediate Certificate (NCSC Level Two), and ICCE Advanced Certificate (NCSC Level Three).

ICCE Basic Certificate
This certificate is designed for students with special educational needs.  It provides a Record of Achievement similar to those issued by many state schools.

ICCE General Certificate
The General Certificate (typically taken at age 16) requires a similar level of work to that needed to obtain GCSEs. It covers English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Biblical Studies, and a number of options chosen by the student which would normally include Information Technology.

ICCE Intermediate Certificate
The Intermediate Certificate (typically taken at age 17) is at a similar standard to A/S Level. Again, it includes courses in English, Mathematics and Science, building on knowledge previously acquired. There are additional courses in the Humanities, including Biblical Studies.

ICCE Advanced Certificate
The Advanced Certificate (typically taken at age 18) has been generally recognised by universities and colleges as equivalent to A2 Level, the final year of ‘A’ level study.  Many students completing this certificate go on to study at degree level.  The programme content is determined by the student’s intended degree course or future career aspirations.

Students from Christian Schools around the United Kingdom with NCSC Level Three (ICCE Advanced Certificate) have been accepted at Universities such as Oxford, Lancaster, Durham, York, and Edinburgh.