COURSE FACTSHEET
International High School Programme Who is this course for?
Academic outcome and progression
This programme is a unique way for students to develop their English and experience British culture. It offers immersion in the British education system for students age 14 – 17, plus English language development in an international school environment. Classes are small which means extremely high levels of individual attention and progress, and students have the opportunity to sit formal British exams.
Successful completion of the International High School Programme can lead to formal qualifications and further academic study opportunities. Talented students following the programme for three terms can achieve GCSEs or other academic qualifications, which in turn can lead to progression to one of the following options.
Key Facts Start dates: 12 September 2016; 9 January, 11 September 2017; 8 January 2018 Locations offered: Oxford
1. Study A-levels or a Foundation programme with Kings. Please note that students aged 17 would be advised to follow the Advanced Level Foundation. 2. Return to home country to finish high school.
Continue to A-level or Foundation at Kings
London
Bournemouth
Level: Junior Entrance Test equivalent to minimum IELTS 4.5 (Bournemouth) or 5.0 (London/Oxford). Completed 8 – 10 years of high school. Length: 1 – 3 terms Lessons: Average 20 – 25 hours per week (plus homework and private study) Minimum age: 14 (in Bournemouth), 15 (in London and Oxford) Class size: 4 – 10 Learning outcomes: à UK high school curriculum experience à Raise English to sixth form level à Be ready for Kings A-levels/Foundation or transfer to UK boarding school
3. Study A-levels, International Baccalaureate or Scottish Highers at a leading UK boarding school. Choices include: à Adcote School à Bloxham School à Box Hill School à Dollar Academy à King Edward’s, Witley à Malvern St James à Moira House School for Girls à Queens College à St Edmund’s School, Canterbury à St Theresa’s School à Woodbridge School
International High School Programme
Return home to continue studies
Transfer to a UK boarding school
Course structure The programme is designed to provide development in English and academic subjects within an international high school. Depending on age and aptitude, students will join either GCSE, or A-Level, or Foundation classes. Also included in the course is the Academic Enrichment Programme, which helps students to broaden their experience and interests through creative arts, physical education, and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). For ages 14-17: GCSEs English for Academic Study, Maths, Information Technology, Physical Education plus 3-4 other subjects including Geography, PSHE and one Science. For ages 16-17: A-level or Extended Foundation English for Academic Study plus 3–4 academic subjects. Academic subjects There is a range of academic pathways from which students can choose a variety of subjects — depending on College location, course length, and aptitude. Each subject provides total immersion in academic classes, taught in English and delivered by subject specialists with expertise in teaching international students. Physical Education is compulsory for all students under 16.
Sample subject range à Business à Creative Arts à Drama à Economics à English à General Sciences à Geography à Global Perspectives à History à Information Technology à Mathematics à Photography à Physical Education à PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) à Specialist Sciences (Biology, Physics and Chemistry) Continued overleaf æ
COURSE FACTSHEET
Course structure continued
Mentoring and support
Guardianship services
English for Academic Study The programme also includes English for Academic Study, tailored to the needs of each student depending on language level. This is designed to provide students with the intellectual and linguistic skills required for academic study.
At Kings we want every student to thrive — not just academically, but personally and socially too. With a specialist support network in place at every College, we can be sure that there is always someone on hand to offer help or advice when required.
International students under the age of 16 must have a UK-based guardian when they come to study in the United Kingdom. Kings uses the specialist services of Oxford Guardians. Oxford Guardians offers a comprehensive and personal guardianship service for international students which includes: à Pre-arrival pack and help with all predeparture documentation à Meeting on arrival in the UK and regular personal contact throughout the study period à Support in practical, emotional and health matters à 24-hour telephone contact service
Social, cultural and sports activities outside class Learning outside the classroom plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the International High School Programme at Kings. Our aim is to create well-rounded, culturally adjusted students who can go on to thrive in whatever academic route they take. We offer a full programme of organised activities, sports, and excursions so that time outside of class is as interesting as time spent in lessons.
Activities and excursions include arts clubs, debating societies, and cultural visits. Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which has helped hundreds of thousands of young people to complete their own exciting and challenging programme of activities. Students learn new skills, help others, have fun, make new friends, and gain a great sense of achievement
Staying with a British host family We understand that for many students, the experience of studying abroad is just as much about learning about the culture as the language. This is why we encourage our students to stay with a host family. Our hosts are all carefully selected and vetted by the Accommodation Officer at each College, and for International High School students, we guarantee that host family accommodation will be within walking distance of the College.
Staying with a local host, our students can: à Learn about British culture first-hand à Benefit from extra support throughout their time in the UK à Live within walking distance of the College à Enjoy home-cooked food every evening à Homestay accommodation also allows for regular contact with the student’s parents on request.
“
The IHSP is a programme where you attend a school and you do subjects like at your Italian school in my case. For example, I do Chemistry, Maths, English for CAE and Physics. So it’s like a normal school. I’m in a class here with other Italian students, and other foreign students — for example in my Physics class there are Russians, Malaysians, Bulgarians. The lessons are enjoyable, and not boring. The teachers are very good and I can understand well what they are explaining. There are lots of clubs — for example I do drama club for Romeo and Juliet. The show is in December. I also do textile club and there are also sports like football and Zumba. There is also debating society or politics society, photography society.
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Alice Gismondi, International High School Programme student
1233 08/16
I wanted to do this experience because when you go back home, you’ll have not only the knowledge of English, but you’ll also have learnt how to live by yourself, without parents.