ISS

SECONDARY SECTION AIMS

The secondary section educates students aged 11 to 16 in years 7-11. In years 7,8 and 9 students follow curricula based upon the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for England and Wales. Approximately half of the timetable is devoted to the teaching of the three 'core' subjects; English, Mathematics and Science. Students also study Geography, History, Art and Design, Computer Science, French as a foreign language and Personal Social Development (PSD). Assembly is held once a week. All students participate in a varied Physical Education programme.

In year 10 students commence the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), a two year programme culminating with assessments at the end of year 11. Students are awarded an internationally recognised qualification, equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and the International GCE Ordinary level. IGCSE is used by schools in over 90 countries throughout the world and has been recognised as a qualification for matriculation purposes by universities world-wide.

Examination leads to the award of one of eight grades (A*, A, B, C, D, E, F and G) in each subject. The highest grade is A*. In some subjects candidates take examinations at one of two levels, Core or Extended, with the second level designed for higher ability candidates. All grades down to grade G are passes, however the aim is for all students to achieve a C grade or higher in all entries, since these higher passes contribute to accessing Advanced level programmes at 16, and undergraduate courses later on.

International School students normally enter between 7 and 12 subjects at IGCSE. Full details of the content for the secondary curriculum can be found in the curriculum booklets published annually by the school.