Pre-IB Guide 2025-2026

Pre-IB Programme 2025 - 2026

The Pre-IB Programme The Pre-IB programme is a one-year, self-contained course which prepares students for entry into the Sixth Form. At St Leonards, pupils in Years 12 and 13 follow either the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme or Diploma Programme.

The Pre-IB programme is delivered by specialist teachers, who are passionate about bringing their subjects to life and equipping pupils with the skills and knowledge required for success in the Sixth Form. Pupils study for at least five IGCSE qualifications, which correspond to IB Diploma Programme subject groups, enabling a smooth transition onwards and upwards at the end of the year, to either of our Sixth Form curriculum pathways. In addition, Pre-IB pupils are supported, where required, by our dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers, and are given the opportunity to improve their spoken and written English in preparation for future study and the world of work.

Together with the extensive co-curricular programme at St Leonards, which opens doors to sports, music, drama and more, pupils in Pre-IB enjoy all aspects of school life, whether boarding with us or as a day pupil. Our international community, with more than 30 different nationalities on the school roll, enables pupils to make friends from all corners of the world.

If you have any questions about the Pre-IB programme at St Leonards, please contact the Admissions Team at registrar@stleonards-fife.org

Pupils at St Leonards aspire to be:

Inquirers • Knowledgeable • Thinkers • Communicators • Principled Open-minded • Caring • Risk-takers • Balanced • Reflective 2

What is the Pre-IB Programme?

A programme of study based around a minimum of five IGCSE subjects including English Language, native language where applicable, Maths, Science and either History or Geography.

There may also be the option for pupils to study French, German, Spanish or Latin.

Please note, there are recharges for some languages.

Please let us know your first language and if you wish to have first language instruction; not all languages are available for an exam.

The IB Diploma involves the study of subjects from six groups. The Pre-IB programme of study is based around these six groups.

3

Group 1 Pre-IB pupils take studies in their mother tongue, with some sitting an IGCSE examination, where available. The examinations are composed of two papers covering reading (understanding, analysing and interpreting different texts and expressing this in written form) and writing (argumentative, descriptive and imaginative writing). Currently, we offer formal GCSE examinations in Chinese and German. Other languages, such as French and Spanish, are taught as IB prep classes and are not examined through IGCSEs.

he Pre-IB was the perfect transition year T for me before starting in Year 12.

Current Pupil

Group 2 Pre-IB pupils work towards either English Language or English as a Second Language, depending on proficiency. Both are excellent preparation for those who wish to pursue the Career-related or Diploma Programmes in the Sixth Form at St Leonards.

English Language The Pearson Edexcel English Language course assesses reading skills across a range of different genres of transactional writing, including newspaper articles and written speeches, as well as poetry, prose and imaginative writing. The course is assessed by a written examination and two coursework assignments.

English as a Second Language This course is intended for students who have English as a second or additional language, with a CEFR level of approximately B1-C1. The topics and texts studied closely align with the English B syllabus for the IB Diploma, and are assessed through reading, writing, speaking and listening. There is no assessed coursework for this qualification.

In ESL lessons, pupils also develop awareness of academic style and register and become familiar with the academic word list (AWL). They learn strategies for vocabulary acquisition, reading longer and more complex texts, listening, and note-taking. Focus is also given to pronunciation, developing fluency, accuracy and confidence in speaking.

4

Group 3 History IGCSE At St Leonards, we follow the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus which allows for a blend of both periodbased and thematic History. The topics covered help to give students a context for the present day along with a foundation of knowledge for international and race relations. The course comprises of: • A Historical Investigation into the USA between 1918 and 1941, charting the social, economic and political history of the USA from boom, bust and organised crime to the rights of women, Black Americans and the New Deal; • The initial Depth Study looks at a similar period from a German perspective, charting the recovery of Germany after World War I, the Weimar republic and the rise of fascism and dictatorship leading to World War II; • A further Depth Study returns to the USA, investigating the rise of civil rights and protest movements from 1945-74 both in terms of race, gender and attitudes towards communism and foreign wars, such as Vietnam; • A thematic Breadth Study of the changes in Medicine from 1845 to 1945, looking at the emergency of the modern medical world as it transitioned from scientific and technological innovation towards public health provision.

around the UK and across the world to explore a variety of contemporary geographical issues that affect our future and the way in which we interact with the environment. As part of the course, pupils undertake fieldwork in our local coastal and urban environments, developing data collection skills which are assessed in the final examinations.

The topics studied include: coastal environments, hazardous environments, economic activity and energy, urban environments, and global issues (fragile environments and climate change). These are assessed by two written examinations at the end of the course.

Group 4 Science IGCSE Pre-IB pupils will take a Combined Science course, which incorporates Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. This course leads to the award of one GCSE qualification in ‘Science’.

In the Combined Science course, each scientific discipline is taught by a subject specialist.

The course provides a firm grounding in the principles and concepts of all three sciences, and equips pupils with the skills to study separate sciences in the Sixth Form and beyond.

The course culminates in two 90-minute written examinations on two respective topics each.

Each topic has three questions requiring pupils to analyse sources, synthesise knowledge and evidence, and present arguments in essay-style responses.

Geography IGCSE The Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Geography course comprises two core components – physical and human geography – and uses case studies from 5

Group 5 Mathematics IGCSE Throughout the Edexcel IGCSE (Specification A, 4MA1) Mathematics course at St Leonards, pupils are supported to tackle known, new and different problems – the ultimate aim is that, by the end of the course, they have a strong set of numerical and problem-solving skills and enjoy seeing the power of mathematics at work. The course lays a strong foundation for the Diplomalevel Mathematics courses which pupils will embark upon in their Sixth Form years.

At the end of the course, the pupils’ learning is assessed by two calculator papers. The department recommends the dual-powered Casio FX-9911EX model.

Group 6 Pupils can opt to study a second language, subject to availability. At the end of the Pre-IB programme, and under the guidance of their teacher, pupils will decide whether or not they would like to sit the terminal examinations.

For French, German and Spanish, the Modern Languages department follows either the CIE IGCSE, AQA or Pearson Edexcel syllabuses. All examination boards divide assessments into four, equally-weighted areas: reading, listening, writing and speaking. These qualifications are excellent preparation for Sixth Form study, be that the Career-related or Diploma Programme.

Art & Music Pre-IB pupils are encouraged to immerse themselves in the vibrant programme of cocurricular activities offered at St Leonards, whether that be hockey, debating, swimming or singing. Pupils can elect to do Music or Visual Arts as an alternative to Games once per week.

Sports & Games Pre-IB pupils choose between hockey, lacrosse, tennis, Crossfit, football, swimming, table tennis, basketball, badminton, volleyball, golf and fitness (at the University of St Andrews gym) in their Games lessons.

In PE, Pre-IB pupils choose activities as a class, and may also choose to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Theory of Knowledge Pre-IB students also enjoy an introduction to Theory of Knowledge, which is part of the IB Diploma Programme Core. This is a critical thinking skills course which encourages pupils to examine the nature of knowledge and ways of knowing. The course not only helps the pupils to better understand themselves and their curriculum subjects, but also fosters stimulating conversations!

6

Learning Support

Useful Links

The Head of Support for Learning works closely with the Pre-IB Leadership Team to ensure that the needs of students eligible for special access arrangements are met. Individual support lessons are also available at an additional cost for the relevant pupils.

For more information on the International Baccalaureate visit the IBO website at: ibo.org

Activities The Activities, Sports and Games Handbook provides further information about the wide range of co-curricular activities available at St Leonards, including sport, drama, music, art, chess, debating and Model United Nations.

For more information on IGCSEs, visit the University of Cambridge International Education website at: cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/ middlesec/igcse/subjects For more information on the IGCSE examinations visit the Edexcel Website at: edexcel.com

7

St Leonards School, St Andrews, Scotland KY16 9QJ Tel : 01334 472126 | registrar@stleonards-fife.org | stleonards-fife.org