SENIOR SCHOOL

GRADE 9-10 (Key Stage 4)

At the moment, the Senior School prepares students aged 14-16 for their International General certificate of Secondary Examination (IGCSE) which is a wider curriculum specifically tailored to international needs, with an assessment system appropriate for students of all abilities. It is designed as a one-year curriculum programme leading to a certificate, which is internationally recognized as equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and the International GCE O-Level examinations. The aims of IGCSE are:
To support modern Curriculum development
To promote international understanding
To encourage good teaching practice
To set widely recognized standard
IGCSE provides a foundation for higher-level courses such as the North American Advanced Placement Test (APT), the International Baccalaureate (IB), and GCE A-levels and the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE).
IGCSE seeks to take candidates’ differing abilities into account and therefore offers a choice between Core and Extended Curriculum papers in subjects where it is appropriate. The Core Curriculum is based on an overview of the subject and is aimed at students expected to achieve grades C to G. The Extended Curriculum is designed for the ones more academically able, who are expected to achieve grades A* to C.

OPPORTUNITY & OBLIGATION

We are committed to encouraging positive educational experiences and providing a relevant, accurate and reliable programme. Our programme equips the students for employment and further education. It is suitable for students of any nationality and cultural background and is designed to meet the needs of learners who are not native English speakers.
Entry to IGCSE is by individual subject, and International Certificate of Education (ICE) is the group examination of IGCSE. All students for ICE must enter and sit for at least seven subjects. Students who fail to gain the ICE will qualify for the award of the IGCSE grade in the subjects taken.
We have tried to offer as many choices as possible to best suit the needs and aspirations of each student. However, it may well be that there is no arrangement of the options selection which will suit every student, and so, in a very small number of cases, first choice may have to be revised. We hope that this may not happen, but the possibility exists. Not all subjects make the same demands on a student’s time. This should be borne in mind when choices are made. The amount of time required for each course will be fully explained to the pupil by subject teachers, but we expect 90 minutes homework per subject per week.

INTRODUCTION FOR PARENTS

Secondary school can feel as different for the parents as it does for their children. The buildings are bigger, the work is different and demanding and there are many more teachers to know. And that’s not to mention how difficult teenagers can be when you ask them what they’re studying or whether they have done their homework. As a parent or carer, you have a very important role to play in helping your child choose the right combination of subjects. Some parents are afraid of doing the wrong thing. If you are unsure about how to help, you can always ask your child’s teachers. Your support and encouragement are very important for your child’s progress.
Both parents and Grade 10 students should keep the following in mind when choosing the IGCSE examination subjects:
The choice should be a guided one involving students, parents and teachers. We have created opportunities for all the members of this partnership to help in making the right decision for the individual student.
The widest possible choice should be made. The more different things the child has done, the more confident s/he will be. So unless your child wants a career that requires particular IGCSEs or A-Levels, their best path is to study as broad a range of subjects as possible – subjects that they enjoy.
Our school’s options policies are designed to encourage this, by ensuring every student studies a good range of subjects. Very occasionally, a 13-year-old knows what s/he wants to do as an adult. Rejection of a subject without adequate consideration may have far reaching and damaging consequences. It is important to ensure a broad choice. We are delighted to be able to offer a wide range of subjects at IGCSE level.

INTRODUCTION FOR STUDENTS

When you were in Key Stage 3 (aged 11-14) most of what you studied was set by the school, but in Key Stage 4 (aged 14-16) two things will change.
You study subjects in more depth. This means you must choose some and stop studying others.
You will work towards qualifications at 16. So you have choices to make. You will need to think about options doe the next two years of study. To help you in this regard we provide students with information that explains the subjects that they have to study and the kind of qualification they can aim for. The subjects you choose now are important as a foundation for further learning – lifelong learning.
Some of the things to think about:
What do I enjoy studying?
What are my strengths?
If I choose the option now, will it keep more options open later for further study, training work?
Some things for you to consider:
Don’t choose a subject because you are really motivated by a belief that it won’t involve much work. Remember you will have to work hard in all subjects to get a good qualification.
Don’t choose a subject to stay in the same class as friends but because timetabling everyone’s need is complex; you might well be split from your friend for a particular subject.
Don’t choose a subject just because you like a teacher. You should be confident that you will enjoy the subject no matter who teaches it. Again timetabling and the possibility of staff changes can place you with a different teacher.
Do not worry if you have no idea what you want to do. You will be helped to make sensible course choices, which leave your options open. It is an exciting time and all your teachers wish you well. Remember though, hard work is very important if you are to fulfil your potential and realise your career goal.

A BALANCED CURRICULUM

Foundations for buildings need to be broad and strong so that they can support what is built on top of them. Study at 14-16 is the same – most students do better studying a broad range of subjects. Later they can build on this broad foundation by specializing.
IGCSE provides a broad study programs by drawing subjects from five areas.
GROUP I - Languages
GROUP II - Humanities and Social Sciences
GROUP III - Sciences
GROUP IV - Mathematics
GROUP V - Creative, Technical and Vocational
If a student passes seven IGCSE examinations (2 from the language group, 1 from each of the other four groups and 1 more from any group) then they will qualify for an International Certificate of Education (ICE) Diploma.
The diploma is awarded at one of the three levels – Distinction, Merit or Pass depending upon the grades earned in the seven examinations. Five passes at grade C or higher would indicate a student’s readiness to begin higher-level pre-university programmes such as A or AS levels.
In addition to IGCSE subjects, all students should expect to follow non-exam courses in Physical Education, Religious Education and Citizenship.