IGCSE GUIDE - Shrewsbury International School
IGCSE GUIDE2018–20
MISSION STATEMENTIntus si recte ne labora – if the heart is right, all will be wellShrewsbury International School offers an inspirational English languageeducation for carefully selected students, caring for them in an organisationcommitted to continuous improvement, and providing outstanding opportunitiesboth in and out of the classroom. We recruit the finest teachers and staff,providing them with the resources to nurture outstanding students and exemplifythe pioneering spirit and traditions of Shrewsbury School. From our Junior Schoolstudents, enthusiastically developing their interests and passion for learning, toour exemplary Sixth Form leaders graduating to embark on careers at the world’sleading universities, Shrewsbury International School is established around itsinnovative, ambitious, dynamic international community.
CONTENTSIntroduction from the Head of Senior6A Guide to the English National Curriculum and Key Stages8The GCSE/IGCSE Programme9A Typical Timetable11An Overview of Year 10 and Year 1112Core Subjects13English Language14English Literature15Mathematics16Science17Learning for Life19Optional Subjects21Art and Design22Business Studies24Computer Science25Design Modern Foreign Languages33Music35Religion, Philosophy & Ethics36Physical Education37Psychology38Thai First Language39Additional Information41Our Organisational Values42Exam Course Information43
INTRODUCTION FROM THE HEAD OF SENIORIn Years 7 to 9 all students follow the same curriculum, designedto provide an introduction to a range of subjects and areas ofknowledge. In Year 10 a degree of choice is introduced to allowstudents to develop their individual interests and talents in greaterdepth. Even then the curriculum is designed to provide a broadand balanced range of courses and allow students access to awide variety of learning and teaching styles. The curriculum isadapted by staff to ensure that it is relevant, stimulating and trulyinternational.These adaptations ensure that our students are suitably wellqualified to enter universities around the world after completingtheir education at Shrewsbury International School at the end ofYear 13.Making the right choicesFew 14 year olds know exactly what they want to do when they leave school, and the careeraspirations that they now have may well change over the next few years. According to researchthe average person should expect to change their career 3 or more times and their employeror job many more times. It is important that students make choices now that will keep open asmany career paths as possible. For this reason students are strongly advised to take a broad andbalanced selection of IGCSE subjects. We would encourage students to take a MFL, humanitiesand a creative subject, for instance. Choosing five options will allow students to study 10 or 11IGCSE subjects, which is more than sufficient to meet the demands of universities anywhere in theworld. Support is available from a number of staff to help students and their parents to make theright choices.Independence and initiativeThe British Curriculum places increasing emphasis on students becoming independent learnersable to use their own initiative. There is less emphasis on what students know – after all withmodern technology it is possible to find the answer to most questions using a mobile phone –than on the higher level skills of communicating knowledge and understanding and analysing andevaluating evidence and the sources of this evidence.There is a temptation for students to want to know the ‘right’ answer and to rely upon tutors todrill this into them, but education is more than tutoring. All IGCSE subjects are taught by highlyqualified members of staff who will guide their students throughout the course. They are adept atteaching the skills and attitudes required for successful independent learning beyond school andthroughout life. Should a student find a particular aspect of a course difficult then their teacherswill be able to help and advise students and their parents. I strongly encourage students to buildup a dialogue with teachers and to ask for help as soon as an issue arises – knowing when to askfor help, not being afraid to admit that advice is required, is a sign of strength and an importantlife skill.Beyond the classroomAcademic study provides the tools for students not only to further their education at university,but an education for life requires far more than just book work. Whether in the Art Department,on the stage or concert hall, or on the playing field, our very talented senior students happily6IGCSE GUIDE
balance a heavy academic load with a range of “You-Time!” activities. The stimulus that theseactivities provide prepares students for the wider world and for university.Shrewsbury International School works with families to ensure that students have high academicexpectations, achieve success in public examinations, and discover interests that will stay withthem for life. We continue to be proud to teach our students to learn, to think independently,to challenge and to discuss, rather than be treated as empty vessels to be filled with facts. Ouracademic success speaks for itself!Intus si recte ne laboraSteven AllenHead of SeniorIGCSE GUIDE7
A GUIDE TO THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUMAND KEY STAGESThe majority of schools in Britain follow a National Curriculum that is divided into Year Groupsand Key Stages. Shrewsbury International School follows the British National Curriculum butadapts and develops it to meet the needs of our talented, multi-lingual, international students.The table below outlines the way in which the school and the curriculum are divided.Age on31 4Y1015Y1116Y1217Y13Curriculum Stage[Examination Course]School[Division]Early Years Foundation StageJunior School [Pre-Preparatory]Key Stage 1Key Stage 2Junior School [Preparatory]Key Stage 3Senior SchoolKey Stage 4 [IGCSE]Key Stage 5 [Advanced Level]Senior School [Sixth Form]In Britain, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 18 althoughclear provision is made for students between the ages of 3 to 5. Children are placed in YearGroups based on their age on 31st August of each academic year. Year Groups are based uponchronological age and progress between Year Groups is usually automatic, although students maybe out of their age group for exceptional reasons. Year Groups are clustered into Key Stages anda defined curriculum is produced for each Key Stage. Throughout each Key Stage there are clearassessments to monitor and track each child’s academic progress.Students study GCSE and IGCSE subjects over the two years of Key Stage 4, from the age of14. All students study a compulsory core of English, Mathematics and Science plus a number ofoptional subjects. Students normally take 8 or 9 IGCSE courses. The IGCSE examinations are aformal assessment of a child’s ability in each of the subjects they have studied. Those who wishto go to university will continue into Year 12 and Year 13 (Key Stage 5, also known as Sixth Form),to follow two-year Advanced Level courses. GCSE and IGCSE are internationally recognisedacademic standards and used, alongside Advanced Levels, as part of the academic selectionprocess for entry into the top universities around the world.8IGCSE GUIDE
THE GCSE/IGCSE PROGRAMMEWhat are GCSE and IGCSE?GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCSE examinations are taken by thevast majority of students in England and Wales.IGCSE stands for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is at least of thesame standard as, and in many cases is higher than, the GCSE. For many subjects it is more suitedto students in International Schools where the courses and examinations will have an internationalflavour rather than being grounded in British situations and settings.Examination boardsThere are many examination boards to choose from. Shrewsbury currently uses CIE and Edexcel,based in England. At the end of this booklet, you will find details of the exam boards and coursesyllabuses we use.Grades availableThe grade range for IGCSE and GCSE examinations is A* - G. The bottom grade is U (for anungradeable performance). In some subjects the A* - G range of grades may be split into two;A*- E for the extended level course and C - G for the core level course. The grade that studentscan obtain will therefore depend on what course they follow and what examination they sit.This may well be decided later on in the course.For some GCSE and IGCSE courses (Drama, Music, PE, Psychology, French, Spanish, Mandarin,Japanese, Maths and Religion, Philosophy & Ethics) there is a new numbered grading systemthat has been introduced by the UK government. In these courses students will receive their finalgrade (in the summer of 2020) as a number from 9 to 1 (with 9 being the highest grade possible).The number 4 will be equivalent to a C grade and a 7 to an A grade. The rest of the numbers arerelated to the A* to G grades according to the diagram below:New GCSE Grading StructureNEW GCSE GRADING STRUCTUREBroadly the same proportion of studentswill achieve a grade 4 and above as currentlyachieve a grade C and above.4 CandaboveandaboveBroadly the same proportion of studentswill achieve a grade 7 and above as achievean A and above.The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned withthe bottom of grade G.A grade 5 will be awarded to the top third ofstudents gaining the equivalent of grade C orthe bottom third of a grade B.The top 20% of those who get a grade 7 orabove in each exam will be awarded a grade 9.CURRENT GCSE GRADING STRUCTUREIGCSE GUIDE9
The subjectsThe timetable in 2018-2020 will be made up of 60 x 55 minute lessons over a 10-day cycle.Compulsory subjectsEnglish 10 lessonsMathematics7 lessonsScience12 lessonsPhysical Education3 lessons (differs for students studying PE as an exam option)Learning for life2 lessons (non examined)Students also choose five subjects from those on the following pages, one from each optionblock. Each option choice is allocated five lessons in the timetable. Thai students must chooseFirst Language Thai. Students should read this booklet carefully and only make choices aftercareful consideration and discussion with their parents, teachers and other knowledgeableparties.Optional StudiesThe table below is an example of how the option blocks may look. The final blocks may beadjusted once all students have made their choices. If a particular subject is oversubscribed it maybe possible to add it to a second block although this will not always be possible.OPTION 1OPTION 2OPTION 3OPTION 4OPTION 5FrenchArtBusiness StudiesBusiness StudiesArtMandarinBusiness StudiesDT (ResistantMaterials)DT (ResistantMaterials)GeographySpanishDT(Graphic ographyPEThaiEconomicsPsychologyComputer SciencePsychologyHistoryThaiReligion,Philosophy & EthicsThaiThaiPoor reasons for choosing an option “My friend is doing it” “The teacher is nice and does not make me work too hard”Good reasons for choosing an option “I am good at it” “I am interested in it” “I need to study it for future career plans” “It complements my other subjects”Please contact Mr. Robert Millar, Assistant Principal (Academic), for more information on thecurriculum, at robert.m@shrewsbury.ac.th10IGCSE GUIDE
A TYPICAL iencePERIOD 6GeographyFrenchPERIOD 52PERIOD 4EnglishPERIOD 31BREAKPERIOD 2PERIOD 1REGISTRATIONDAYAt Shrewsbury we work on a 10-day timetable cycle. Every Monday throughout the academic yearwill either be Day 1 or Day 6 in the cycle. The day starts with morning registration where studentsmeet up in their Form room with their Form Tutor. There are four lessons in the morning each of55 minutes. Afternoon registration for seniors is just prior to lunch. There are two more lessons inthe afternoon and a short break before the “You-Time!” and Excellence programmes begin.DTMathsMathsFrench3GeographyHistoryComputer T8ComputerGeographyScienceHistoryLearningfor eEnglishFrenchMathsHistoryLearningfor LifeDTIGCSE GUIDE11
AN OVERVIEW OF YEAR 10 AND YEAR 11YEAR 10TERM 1Late AugustGCSE and IGCSE courses beginsTERM 2January1 week residential. In recent years this has been inNorthern Thailand near Chiang RaiTERM 3JuneEnd of Year internal assessments taken in all subjectsSome Year 10 Mathematics students take IGCSE exam.YEAR 11TERM 1OctoberTransition Evening: an introduction to Sixth FormTERM 2JanuaryMock examinations in all subjectsFebruaryFutures Meetings (career guidance)MarchPreliminary choices made for A LevelTERM 3May / JuneGCSE and IGCSE ExaminationsLate June1 week residential and Sixth Form inductionAFTER THE END OF TERMAugustIGCSE results publishedGrade reports, full written reports and parent consultations occur on a regular basis throughoutYear 10 and Year 11.12IGCSE GUIDE
CORE SUBJECTSIGCSE GUIDE13
ENGLISH LANGUAGEEnglish is vital for communicating with others in school and in the wider world, and isfundamental to learning in all curriculum subjects. In studying English, students develop skillsin speaking, listening, reading and writing. They learn to express themselves creatively andimaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.First Language EnglishCourse outlineStudents who study First Language English have a high level of language proficiency. The courseis designed to develop students’ understanding and responses to different types of writing drawnfrom a variety of sources, both fiction and non-fiction, and different periods of time. Studentswill be expected to understand and collate implicit and explicit meanings from texts and learnhow to make inference when reading a text independently. Students will also be expected todevelop their writing in a variety of contexts, using a varied and sophisticated range of styles andconventions.Assessment50% of the final grade is based on a portfolio of the candidate’s work (around 3,000 words intotal) which is sent to the examination board for appraisal in April of Year 11.50% of the final grade is based on a two-hour examination where students read unseen texts andwrite about their interpretations and the writers’ use of language (three questions on two unseentexts).English as a Second LanguageThis subject is suitable for students whose first language is not English, but who use it as theirlanguage of study. The course is designed to develop better communication in English, in reading,listening, writing and speaking, and to develop an awareness of the nature of language learningand language learning skills.Course outlineStudents need to show they understand different texts in English across a range of topics.Students learn how to take guided notes and write concise summaries of texts, and to expresstheir thoughts, feelings and opinions in a number of different styles of writing. Developingaccuracy in the uses of grammar, syntax and expression are also key components of the study ofEnglish as a Second Language. Talk is essential, and students are expected to engage in differenttypes of discussion in all lessons.Assessment70% of the final grade is based on a 2-hour examination where students answer a number ofquestions on unseen texts and write in response to different types of extended writing tasks.30% of the final grade is based on a listening examination (50 minutes).There is also a compulsory speaking examination (10 – 15 minutes) for which a separate grade isawarded.Who do I contact for further details?Mrs. Victoria Rotheram, Head of English — victoria.r@shrewsbury.ac.th14IGCSE GUIDE
ENGLISH LITERATUREThrough the study of Literature, students learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers ofstories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction texts, gaining access to the pleasure and worldof knowledge that reading offers. Looking at the patterns, structures, origins and conventionsof English helps students understand how language works, and to appreciate and interpret thechoices made by a range of different writers.Course outlineEnglish Literature complements the study of English Language, and any subject where studentsare asked to analyse writing and present cogent arguments. In their study of Literature, studentsread, interpret and evaluate different texts such as novels, poetry and plays. They will developan understanding of literal and implicit meaning, relevant contexts and of the deeper themesand attitudes that may be expressed in writing. Students will learn to recognise and appreciatethe methods in which writers use English in different ways to achieve a range of effects. A keyelement of the study of Literature is students’ responses to what they read: discussion of ideasis integral to the study of Literature, and students are encouraged to present informed, personalresponses to what they study, both verbally and in writing.Students will read a range of interesting and diverse literary texts mostly from the 19th and 20thCenturies, and write essays exploring some relatively complex concepts.Assessment25% of the final grade is based on a coursework portfolio (approximately 2,000 words) which issent to the examination board for appraisal in April of Year 11. The portfolio is designed to show awide reading of, and a personal response to, novels, poetry and plays.75% of the final grade is based on 2 examinations: an ‘open book’ examination on Drama (45 minutes). a ‘closed book’ examination on Poetry and Prose ( 1 hour 30 minutes).Who do I contact for further details?Mrs. Victoria Rotheram, Head of English — victoria.r@shrewsbury.ac.thIGCSE GUIDE15
MATHEMATICSAt Shrewsbury, all students in Years 10 and 11 must study IGCSE Mathematics. This is a two-yearcourse leading up to two examinations in May/June of Year 11.The IGCSE syllabus follows on extremely closely from the Year 9 scheme of work, and so masteryof the topics covered in Year 9 will put students in the best place to succeed in the IGCSE course.Continuing on from Years 7 to 9, students will have seven taught periods per cycle; lessons will bevaried and will include enrichment opportunities.Course outlineThroughout Years 10 and 11, students will review and extend their understanding of number,algebra, data and shape.Algebra is the key topic at IGCSE and mastering this will provide the grounding needed forprogression to A-Level. Students will build upon the work covered in Year 9 and develop theirability to solve quadratic equations, manipulate expressions and solve simultaneous equations.They will also be introduced to calculus and functions.Pupils will also investigate and use geometrical relationships in both two and three dimensions.These will include: angle, Pythagoras’ theorem, trigonometry, vectors, area and volume. Studentswill also meet trigonometric graphs and be exposed to examples of their real-world applications.Successful candidates in IGCSE Mathematics are able to answer questions that require them torecall, apply and interpret mathematical knowledge, using combinations of skills and techniques.The full syllabus and a list of topics can be found on Firefly page for mathematics.We aim to have the vast majority of the teaching content completed by the end of the first termof Year 11. In the second term, we run a rigorous programme of revision, including a schedule ofpast papers and a whole year group revision morning.Early EntrySome pupils may be selected to follow an accelerated pathway. These pupils will sit their IGCSEMathematics examinations one year early, at the end of Year 10, having followed the Year 10curriculum in Year
English 10 lessons Mathematics 7 lessons Science 12 lessons Physical Education 3 lessons (differs for students studying PE as an exam option) Learning for life 2 lessons (non examined) Students also choose five subjects from those on the following pages, one from each option block. Each
IGCSE First Language English 12 IGCSE World Literature 13 IGCSE English as a Second Language 14 . IGCSE Business Studies 19 IGCSE Global Perspectives 21 IGCSE Geography 22 IGCSE History 23 IGCSE Sciences 24 IGCSE Cambridge Mathematics Extended & Core 26 . At BISP, Year 12 and 13 (Key Stage Five) students study the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP .
IGCSE ARABIC for Native Arabic Speakers - Edexcel 11 GCSE ART & DESIGN - Edexcel 13 IGCSE BUSINESS STUDIES - Cambridge 15 IGCSE ECONOMICS - Cambridge 17 IGCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE - Cambridge 19 GCSE DRAMA - Edexcel 20 IGCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE - Cambridge 22 IGCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE - Edexcel 22 IGCSE GEOGRAPHY - Edexcel 25
University of Cambridge International Examinations London GCE AS/A-Level / IGCSE / GCSE Edexcel International. 6 Examination Date in 2011 Cambridge IGCSE Oct/Nov X 9 Cambridge GCE / May/Jun 9 9 London GCE London GCSE May/Jun 9 X Chinese London IGCSE Jan X 9 Cambridge IGCSE / May/Jun 9 9 London IGCSE London GCE Jan 9 9 Cambridge GCE Oct/Nov X 9 Private Candidates School Candidates Exam Date. 7 .
Upcoming Cambridge IGCSE training in Rome 05-06 April 2017 Introductory Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510) Introductory Cambridge IGCSE International Mathematics (0607) Introductory Cambridge IGCSE Art and Design (0400) Extension Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460) 07-08 April 2017
IGCSE English Literature and IGCSE First Language English Students begin a two-year course, covering two IGCSE subjects: 1) English Literature, and 2) First Language English. The study culminates in the examinations of the IGCSE papers set by the Cambridge International Examinat
complete until we have received your payment. Please avoid paying on last day of normal stage . IGCSE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS MAY/JUNE 2021 IGCSE FEES IN NAIRA . IGCSE GEOGRAPHY 0460 AY 57,255.00 88,529.00 133,730.00 IGCSE GEOGRAPHY 0460 BY 58,142.00 89,416.00 134,617.00 IGCSE GEOG
Mathematics for Cambridge IGCSE Complete Science for Cambridge IGCSE Complete Business Studies for Cambridge IGCSE & O Level Trusted by teachers and students around the world, our popular Core and Extended Mathematics books have been fully updated for the latest Cambridge IGCSE syllabus
Complete Economics for Cambridge IGCSE and O Level (Third edition) Oxford University Press 9780198409830 IGCSE Economics Year 11 (if already purchased) . Workbook - Cambridge IGCSE (R) English as a Second Language Workbook (Fifth Cambridge University Press 9781108465977 IGCSE Foreign Language French, Year 10 only
