KEY STAGE 4: IGCSE OPTIONS PRESENTED BY

Nick Rickford, Deputy Head of Secondary

About the Qualifications

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§  International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

§ Valuable qualifications that are accredited by external organisations and recognised throughout the world

§ Each course is designed to be studied over two years, for students in Years 10 and 11

Examination Boards

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§ Pearson Edexcel: Maths, Science, History, Art, German, French, Spanish

§ Cambridge International Examinations (CIE):

All other subjects, except Media

§ AQA: Media Studies only

Transition to IB Diploma Programme

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§  Formally assessed

§ Externally validated

§ Best preparation for the IB Diploma (IBDP)

§  IB is formally examined

§ CIE grading is measured on a scale of A*- G and U (A* - C is a good pass)

§ Edexcel and AQA graded from 9 (high) to 1 (low) scale

§ Both letter and numerical grades are understood and accepted by universities and colleges worldwide

§  59% of all grades achieved by BISS students were A* or A (or equivalent) compared to a world average of around 20%

Academic Success

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§ Everyone will study English, Mathematics, Science & Core Physical Education

§ Mathematics

§ Some students take Maths in Year 10 and then study Further Mathematics in Year 11

§ English (depends on student’s class)

§  First Language English & English Literature (two qualifications)

§  Or First Language English only

§  Or English as a Second Language (EAL)

§ Science

§  Typically, students study three Science subjects (Physics, Biology & Chemistry)

§  For some, a two-Science route is more appropriate (e.g. Physics & Biology)

Core Subjects

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IGCSE study starts in Year 9

Students sit the exam in January of

Year 11

Students sit the exam in June of

Year 10

Students sit the exam in January of

Year 10

For the remainder of Year 10 they study

Further Maths

For the remainder of Year 10 they study

Further Mathematics and prepare for IB

Students prepare for IB during their study in

Year 10 and 11. In addition they are

given summer work to help them with the

transition to IB

For the remainder of year 11 they study

Further Mathematics topics and prepare for IB

Students sit the exam in June of

Year 11

For Year 11 they will study Further Maths

IGCSE

Consider transition to IB Diploma Programme

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The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)

§ Group 1: Native language

§ Group 2: Second language

§ Group 3: Humanities/ Social Sciences

§ Group 4: Science

§ Group 5: Mathematics

§ Group 6: Options (including option to take a second Science)

Humanities & Social Sciences at IGCSE

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§ Business Studies

§ Geography

§ History

Group 3 at IBDP

Creative Arts, PE & Computer Sciences at IGCSE

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§ Art

§ Drama

§ Music

§ Media Studies

§ Computer Science

Group 6 at IBDP

§ Physical Education

§ Computer Science

Group 4 (Science) at IBDP

Languages during timetabled hours

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Mandarin

- First Language (IGCSE)

- Second Language (IGCSE)

- Foreign Language (IGCSE)

- Foreign Language Beginner (HSK)

Other languages

§  French Foreign Language (IGCSE)

§ German Foreign Language (IGCSE)

§ Spanish Foreign Language (IGCSE)

§ Korean First Language (IGCSE)

§ Dutch First Language (not examined)

Group 1 & 2 at IBDP

After School ECAs § Spanish First Language (IGCSE) §  French First Language – no longer IGCSE

qualification but good preparation for IB Self-study French

§ German First Language – no longer IGCSE qualification but good preparation for IB Self-study German

Group 1 at IBDP

Native Languages during ECA time

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Chinese Pathways

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IB Language A : a) Standard Level b) Higher Level – 1st year university

IB Language B Higher Level HSK level 5-6

IB Language B Standard Level HSK level 4-6

IB Ab Initio HSK level 3-4

IGCSE First Language Chinese

Local school level

IGCSE Chinese as a Second Language (Achieve: HSK level

4-6 level)

IGCSE one /two year (Achieve HSK Level 3-5)

Beginners Mandarin CEF B1 (Achieve HSK level

1-2)

Profile of student: fluent; has been studying Chinese in native class

Profile of student: studied 5-6 years quite fluent; strong recognition of characters.

Profile of Y10 student: Studied Mandarin 3-5 years.

Profile of Y10 student: Studied Mandarin 0-1 years.

Balanced Curriculum

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Thinking ahead to the IB Diploma, you might consider a balanced combination of subjects at IGCSE:

§ A language

§ A humanities / social sciences subject

§ A creative arts subject, PE or Computer Science

§ Plus one other

However, this is not essential.

Making Choices

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Please tell us which subjects you would most like to study.

§  1 - First choice

§  2 - Second choice

§  3 - Third choice

§  4 - Fourth choice

§  5 - Reserve choice

You will submit your choices, via Jotform, by 5pm on

Monday 25 February 2019.

You will submit your choices, via Jot Form, by 5pm on Monday 25

February 2019. These are provisional choices only. You will make your final choices at the start of Year 10. We will use your provisional choices to construct our Year 10 timetable for 2019-20 Complete the Jotform even if you think you are leaving BISS at the end of this year.

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Thank you