Key Stage 4 IGCSE Curriculum

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Curriculum Outline

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St. Andrews Green Valley follows IGCSE syllabi for IGCSE courses in years 10 & 11. We use two exam boards, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Pearson Edexcel. We use two exam boards instead of one as we are then able to choose the courses that will best suit our students’ needs.

The Programme of Study in Years 10 & 11 remains broad and balanced. Students normally study at least 7 IGCSE subjects, however many students sit examinations in more subjects than this.

What subjects do students study?

Core Subjects English, Mathematics and Coordinated Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics).

Languages IGCSE Thai, non IGCSE Thai, French 2nd Lang, Mandarin 2nd Lang and Dutch 1st Lang

IGCSE Options Students will study 3 of the following subjects: 

The Arts: Drama, DT, Music, Art, Computing and PE

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Humanities: History, Business Studies, Economics and Geography

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Personal Development (non IGCSE subjects) Personal Social and Health Education, Careers, Tutor Time, Assembly and Activities

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Additional English Support

English language development is a top priority. All students are given extra support in this area by studying English more often than is required and t h r o u g h smaller class sizes. When studying English, students in each year group are split into 3 classes instead of 2, ensuring that all students are very well taken care of, no matter what their English level is.

Can my child sit an IGCSE exam before the end of Year 11?

This answer to this is most definitely yes! As a part of our ‘Accelerated Learning Programme’ we regularly have students taking IGCSE examinations either one or two years early. Most commonly this takes place in English, Maths and the student’s second language.

Why IGCSEs and not IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)?

IGCSEs are recognised internationally as a high quality academic achievement. IGCSE courses are also a logical extension of the key stage 3 curriculum that we study and are a very good preparation before studying the IB Diploma Programme.

At St Andrews we incorporate the principles of the IB Learner Profile into our teaching so many of the MYP principles are also covered by what we do. In many ways IGCSE students get the best of both systems.

How does the Year 10-11 Curriculum prepare my child for the future?

The detailed and rigourous curriculum taught in Years 10 – 11 provides a very solid base of knowledge for students preparing to study IB subjects in Years 12 and 13. Students are expected to become more independent and therefore responsible for their learning.

Students enjoy this heightened expectation and rise to the challenge of being expected to conduct themselves like a mature young adult.

Does St. Andrews use an Online Learning Platform?

Yes, St Andrews uses Google Classroom and Firefly as Online Learning Platforms.

Teachers use them as a method of setting work for students as well as making resources available. Students are able to access Google Classroom and Firefly from anywhere there is an internet connection. Parents are also able to access Google Classrooms and Firefly so that they can keep up to date with their child’s learning.

How are students assessed?

Students are assessed through a number of different methods. More formal assessments include exams and assignments but teachers also assess students using questioning techniques, group work and practical tests.

Students are also involved in assessing their own level of achievement and setting targets for improvement. Students will regularly be asked to self assess their own work or peer assess the work of another student in class.

During the last term of Year 11 students sit formal exams from the CIE and Pearson Edexcel Exam Boards. The results of these exams, along with the coursework that students complete makes up their final result. IGCSE results are internationally recognised as a very high quality academic award.

How is progress reported to parents?

Students in Year 10 receive report cards at the end of terms 1, 2 and 3. Students in Year 11 receive report cards at the end of term 1, in January after their mock exams and at the end of term 2, just before they sit their IGCSE exams.

On each report cards students receive an attainment grade as well as an effort grades.

During term 1, teachers, in consultation with students, set end of year target grades for students to work towards.

Attainment grades are reported using a scale of 1—9, with 9 being the highest grade.

Effort (organisation and participation) are graded using a scale of + = and <.

St Andrews also holds two Parent Teacher Meeting Days each year. These days are held in terms 1 and 2 immediately after parents receive their child’s report card. Parent Teacher Meeting Days give parents an ideal opportunity to discuss in depth their child’s progress in each subject.

How are students taught?

St. Andrews Mission Statement is “To develop independent, confident lifelong learners.”

To this end, teachers of Year 10 – 11 students continue the great work done in primary school and Years 7 – 9 by structuring lessons around the IB Learner Profile. These outcomes are the driving force behind each and every classroom interaction.

St Andrews students are taught to be:

Homeroom As is the practice throughout the Secondary School, all students have a 20 minute homeroom session each morning. During this time, as well as taking attendance, the homeroom tutor spends time with their group helping to ensure that they are happy, healthy and fully prepared for the day.

PSHE (Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education Each week students in Years 10 – 11 have a Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lesson where they learn about dealing with the pressures associated with being teenagers. PSHE lessons also provide the ideal opportunity for students to ask important questions about growing up and to also listen to the input of others experiencing the same pressures.

Careers Lessons Year 10 – 11 students also have a weekly Careers lesson where they write Personal Statements; complete their Resume (CV); participate in Mock Interviews; take part in a week of Work Experience; attend University Presentations and also start to look more closely at University Courses and University Entry Requirements.

Assemblies Year 10 - 11 students also attend a weekly assembly which focuses on congratulating student achievement as well as informing students about what is happening at school in the near future.

Activities Program On Thursdays students participate in two 50 minute activity sessions of their own choice.

Activity options are wide and varied and include drama, sport, cultural, and artistic options.