Reigate A-Level Handbook

REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL VIETNAM (RGS VIETNAM)

Qualifications at Reigate Grammar School Vietnam (RGS Vietnam)

The International School of Vietnam (ISV), the former name of Reigate Grammar School Vietnam (RGS Vietnam), was o cially licensed by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training to organise educational activities under Decision No. 5550/QD-SGD&DT, with the goal of building an international integration education environment in the city. The school o cially opened the first academic year in 2013-2014, welcoming 65 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 (Grade 5).

On 3rd June, 2014, Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) authorised ISV to be a Cambridge School to teach the Cambridge Secondary 1 programme (for Years 7 - 9/Grades 6 - 8), Cambridge IGCSE (Years 10 - 11/Grades 9 - 10) and Cambridge Advanced Level - A Level (Years 12 - 13/Grades 11 - 12).

In 2016, ISV was o cially recognised by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) as an IB standard school and authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate Primary Years programme (IB PYP).

In 2018, ISV was authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme (IB DP) for students in Grades 11 & 12. The school has successfully admitted students to study IBDP from the 20182019 academic year.

2019 marked the school's first graduation cohort in A Level with 8 students who received o ers from 23 universities around the world. 2020 marked the first graduation cohort in IBDP with 13 students who received scholarships from 37 universities worldwide, totaling more than $976,000 in scholarship value..

On 15th September 2021, the International School of Vietnam entered a long-term and comprehensive cooperation agreement with Reigate Grammar School UK, where Reigate Grammar School (RGS) authorised the ownership of the RGS trademark to ISV; marked the beginning of the first UK-branded school located in Vietnam. On 3rd December 2022, the school was o cially approved by the Hanoi People's Committee to change its name to Reigate Grammar Vietnam according to Decision No. 5090/QD-UBND.

The Dual Qualifications programme by Hanoi Department of Education and Training

The Vietnamese National High School baccalaureate programme and the British baccalaureate programme (A Level) is a dual qualifications programme piloted at Chu Van An High School, Hanoi in 2016. A Level is recognised and appreciated by many prestigious universities around the world. Studying the dual qualifications programme, students will be able to simultaneously obtain the Vietnamese national high school baccalaureate and the UK A Level by studying 5 subjects entirely in English including: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Business and academic English.

In 2016, Reigate Grammar School Vietnam (the International School of Vietnam - ISV at the time) supported the Hanoi Department of Education and Training to conduct the entrance exam for the 20162017 academic year for a dual qualifications project at Chu Van An High School and successfully admitted two classes for the first enrollment of this programme.

In 2019, the school successfully organised two exams under the dual qualifications programme for Chu Van An High School: the AS Level exam in May - June and the A2 Level exam at the end of 2019. (October - November). Also in this pilot phase, the school also tutored those students throughout their study course. By obtaining at the same time 2 qualifications: the Vietnamese National High School Baccalaureate and the A Level, students were given a broader pathway to high-quality higher education in Vietnam and all over the world.

The success of this pilot project also enabled the Dual Qualifications programme to further expand to many other Middle & High schools in di erent areas of Hanoi.

PARTNERSHIP WITH REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL UK

The authorisation of the ownership of the RGS trademark from Reigate Grammar School UK to ISV in 2021 to change the school’s name to Reigate Grammar School Vietnam marked a milestone of the first private school in the country to carry the prestige UK education brand. RGS Vietnam combines the best of traditional British independent education with Vietnamese educational principles and values, for students from 3 to 18 years old in Hanoi.

Being the first Vietnamese education institution to own this model of international cooperation, Reigate Grammar School Vietnam received the support and professional consultation from the UK's leading private school with nearly 350 years of experience in education. RGS UK has been the first private UK school rated 'Excellent' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and voted ' School of the Year for Pastoral Care and Wellbeing’ in the United Kingdom.

With the energetic e orts of the faculty team, the high commitment of the parents and the excellent achievements of the students, Reigate Grammar School Vietnam continues to develop and achieve great success in teaching and extra-curricular activities. Reigate Grammar School Vietnam is student-centred and inspires them to become active, lifelong learners through the IB and Cambridge programmes. In addition, Reigate Grammar School Vietnam is committed to nurture the potential of each student and stimulate their creativity and exploration. The school encourages international thinking by connecting students with local and global communities, helping them promote sustainability awareness and thinking.

The school has become known as the outstanding international educational environment of Hanoi, with almost 450 students from 30 di erent countries around the world. As a not-for-profit educational institution, RGS Vietnam has always given priority to constantly growing the scale and improving the quality of education every day, aiming to become the best International School in Vietnam in the next 5 years.

A LEVEL PROGRAMME AT RGS VIETNAM

Cambridge Advanced Level (A level) is an international qualification for students aged 16 to 18 who need advanced study to prepare for university and after graduation. The A Level system o ers flexible curricula that allow learners the freedom to choose the subjects that are suitable for them.

Cambridge A Level develops a deep understanding of the subjects and independent thinking skills. Because the curriculum is designed to build knowledge and cognitive skills on in-depth subject matter content, the programme focuses on a number of subjects related to the specific courses and professions that students are interested in and wish to attend at university, and at the same time adjust their studies to their future career orientation. Schools that o er A Levels to international students typically focus on subjects such as Business, Mathematics and Science as well as core Humanities subjects, including English and History.

Thousands of students around the world gain prestigious admissions and scholarships to top universities each year with the Cambridge A Level. A Level is the preferred entry qualification of many well-known universities and is the best pathway for students with academic excellence who wish to study at one of the UK's top universities, as well as other prestigious universities and higher education institutions worldwide.

Compared to the International Baccalaureate (IB DP) - a curriculum that teaches a holistic approach to study skills, A Level focuses on specific subjects, knowledge and extracurricular activities, unique and distinctive, tailoring learning to the student's desired career orientation. The IB DP certification is suitable for students who want to maintain breadth in subject choice and are willing to work under pressure in a systematic learning environment. Meanwhile, A Level will be a good option for students who have a very clear focus and shape on a specific field or topic, who want to promote their existing strengths and who have high self-discipline to learn e ectively in a less systematic environment.

A LEVEL SUBJECTS AT RGS VIETNAM

A Level subjects at RGS Vietnam

From 2023-24 school year, A Level students at RGS Vietnam will be able to study natural science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects as follows:

Business

The A Level Business programme helps students understand and appreciate the nature and scope of business and its role in society. The curriculum covers topics and issues around economics, law, government, society, environment, ethics, important perceptions about organisations in the economy, market institutions, the process of economic development and the value-adding process. Students study the management of organisations, businesses, and especially decision-making in the context of a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.

Mathematics

Mathematics A Level provides students with in-depth knowledge of Mathematics, as well as the necessary tools and techniques for applying mathematics to future jobs and professions. The course also develops logical thinking and reasoning skills, which are widely valid even in non-mathematical fields.

The course consists of six modules - three at AS level and three at the A2 level. Two-thirds of the curriculum (4 modules) focus on teaching the Pure Core, including the foundational content of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus. Applied Mathematics makes up the remaining one-third of the curriculum and o ers a variety of options to suit each student's needs.

Chemistry

Chemistry A Level is a rigorous, challenging and rewarding course that develops students' scientific knowledge and skills. The curriculum consists of six modules - three at AS level and three at A2, four of which are assessed through exams. The remaining two modules are assessed through practical skills and practice.

Physics

A Level Physics allows students to understand how the Foundations of Science work and gain in-depth study on elective topics of personal interest, including Astrophysics, Medical Physics and Applied Physics. The curriculum consists of six modules - three at AS level and three at A2, four of which are assessed through exams. The remaining two modules are assessed through practical skills and practice.

A Level Physics builds on concepts and skills developed in IGCSE Physics, especially suitable for students who already have skills and background knowledge relevant to the GCSE Complementary Science course or equivalent courses.

Tailor-made complementary courses at RGS Vietnam

In addition to the main subjects mentioned above, students of A Level programme will be able to study supplementary subjects with knowledge and skills specifically built and developed at RGS Vietnam, including the following modules:

English as a Second Language

Preparing for the IELTS exam

Other electives

Extracurricular activities

The Henry Smith programmeme International Project Qualification (IPQ)

The Henry Smith programmeme (Henry Smith Studies) is a separate and flexible curriculum for all Sixth Form students (Year 12 & 13 / Grades 11 & 12) and is a unique and outstanding point in the RGS Vietnam's curriculum, inherited from Reigate Grammar School UK. The main purpose of this programme is to encourage all students to expand their academic horizons beyond the confines of A Level subjects. Through Henry Smith Studies, students are provided with tangible and credible evidence of their independent learning interests, intellectual ambitions and academic skills needed at the college, improving the quality of their university applications.

On the other hand, the programme also encourages students to participate in talks, debates, lectures and intellectual research in many areas of academic life that interest them. This is a great opportunity for students who want to research and explore a certain field, simply because it is a field they are passionate about, instead of just a subject of the A Level curriculum they must complete.

Henry Smith Studies is tailored to each student's interests and learning abilities. The programmer's core is the completion of an extensive project on an academic topic of the student's choice, supported and mentored by each student's individual Instructor. During the school year, students will complete the following:

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An extended academic essay or; Create a work of art (a piece of music, a piece of literature, an experiment)

The programme also includes the following lessons:

Workshop to equip advanced skills for learning A Level; Lectures on a wide range of topics from external speakers; Introduce the use of the library for advanced research degrees; Preparation and support in applying to university through The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

A LEVEL ASSISTED PLACE PROGRAMME AT RGS VIETNAM

With the goal of expanding access to an international learning environment for students who are about to complete a Vietnamese dual degree programme and an IGCSE Certificate at public secondary schools in Hanoi, at the same time creating maximum conditions for students to continue studying and complete the international certificate A Level of Cambridge International Examination (CIE), the school has built and developed the Reigate A Level Assisted Place programme, with the tuition support level up to 70% for students with excellent results in the entrance exam, valid for two academic years (Grades 11 and 12) or 3 years of study (Grades 10, 11 and 12) A Level at the school.

This Assisted Place programme is the beginning of a challenging and exciting journey that Reigate Grammar School Vietnam has for high-achieving students, by providing them with the opportunity to learn and practice in an international environment, helping them to equip and hone the best knowledge and skills before entering university.

This Assisted Place programme was o cially announced by MP Graham Stuart, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during his visit to Reigate Grammar School Vietnam on 4/4/2022.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Graham Stuart said: “In the current post-Covid-19 context, flexibility and creativity are the most important elements of education no matter what students choose to attend. where. The young generation will be the leaders in creative development with innovative solutions. I believe that they will have all the support and honing skills they need to achieve these great achievements after graduating from Reigate Grammar School Vietnam."

The purpose of the programme: To consider the level of support that's based on each family's financial situation and ability to pay tuition fees, as shown through the application and accompanying Assisted Place documents.

How to register:

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Step 1: Submit the online application form via the link: https://rgsv.openapply.com/roi; or fill in the application form and return the soft copy via the email address: admissions@reigategrammar.edu.vn

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Step 2: After receiving the application form, the Admissions Executives will contact each family to assist with further information and instructions on completing the application.

• The entrance exam includes the following tests:

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Step 3: Students after completing all registration documents will be arranged for entrance exams to be held separately.

Round 1: Computer-based multiple-choice assessment of thinking ability (CAT4)

Round 2: Essay exam in Mathematics, English, Vietnamese/Korean & General Science

CONTACT INFORMATION

Admissions Office of Reigate Grammar School Vietnam

Address: No 6-7 Nguyen Cong Thai Street, Dai Kim Urban Area, Dinh

Cong Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi

Phone number: 024 35 409 183/ Ext: 150

Email: admissions@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, No 6-7 Nguyen Cong Thai Street, Dai Kim New Urban Area, Hoang Mai Dis tric t, Hanoi, Vietnam.