(I)GCSE overview
East Campus
Academics Most (I)GCSE courses consist of a two-year programme that leads to external public examinations, and UWCSEA students usually enter eight (I)GCSE sets of subject examinations. Students generally study nine subjects from our balanced curriculum as follows:
Welcome to the High School on East Campus and the two-year (I)GCSE programme commencing in Grade 9. The (I)GCSE programme encompasses an exciting mixture of prescribed and free choice subjects that are challenging and varied. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the British national examination for students at age 16. In many subjects, an equivalent qualification, the International GCSE or IGCSE is offered as it is more appropriate in the international context in which
East High School 2013/2014 enrolment Course (I)GCSE
Grade 9 10 Foundation FIB IB IB Diploma 11 12 TOTAL
Enrolment 199 108 24 182 145 658
our students are learning. The (I)GCSE is a balanced international curriculum suitable for students of all nationalities and levels of ability. It is taken in over 100 countries and is recognised by universities and employers around the world. The breadth of study is a key factor in the (I)GCSE, designed to help students make informed choices as they move into the final two years of schooling. The course has external examinations, and our programme offers the necessary support and preparation to ensure success at the end of Grade 10. Of equal value in a UWCSEA education is the depth of learning beyond the classroom. Our holistic High School learning programme entails the (I)GCSE academic curriculum along with our Activities, Outdoor Education, Personal and Social Education and Service programmes. Students who value themselves and others and who are committed to the UWCSEA mission and values will gain enormously from our High School learning programme.
1. Coordinated Science – this course counts as two IGCSEs and combines Biology, Chemistry and Physics; it prepares students to study any of these options for the IB Diploma (both Higher and Standard Level) 2. Digital Perspectives – a course that combines digital, creativity and critical thinking skills 3. Global Perspectives UWCSEA – the course embodies the values of UWCSEA and is excellent preparation for the IBDP 4. Mathematics 5. English Language and Literature or English as a Second Language (ESL) 6. One other language chosen from French, Spanish, Chinese as a foreign language (for non-native speakers) or First Language Chinese (native speakers) 7. Humanities – one subject must be selected from Economics, Geography or History 8. Physical Education (examination or nonexamination subject) – all students take a double period of PE each week
9. A creative subject – one subject must be selected from Art and Design: Fine Art, Drama, Music, Design and Technology: Food Technology or Design and Technology: Resistant Materials 10. Study Skills (nominated) – this offers students extended support for their learning; students must be recommended by their teachers or HOG for this course
Activities A wide range of activities in the arts, sports, leadership and service is offered during the school year in four ‘activity seasons,’ providing our students with many opportunities to learn new skills and further develop their passions. All students are expected to participate in activities, usually about three to four hours per week during lunchtime or after school.
UWCSEA activities 2012/2013
103 30+ 100+ Sports teams
Different music ensembles
Special interest clubs weekly
The strong sports programme includes representative opportunities in swimming, softball, sailing, rugby and touch, badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball, gymnastics, golf, cross country and tennis. A number of other sports are offered on a recreational basis. Many other activities are designed to appeal to students with artistic talents and interests, including music lessons and over 30 different ensembles, drama (both on and off stage) as well as special interests such as science photography, pottery, robotics, creative writing and journalism, short film-making and debating. There are also opportunities to participate in student leadership activities such as Student Council and Sports Council on campus, Model United Nations conferences (in Singapore and overseas) and Round Square through committees, conferences and exchange programmes.
Outdoor education In Grade 9, students must undertake one of the expeditions offered by the Grade 9 Adventure programme, which take place during school holidays throughout the year. Though they may discover that they are being taken out of their ‘comfort zone,’ students get great enjoyment and satisfaction from their chosen expedition. Many are often surprised to find that they possess the determination, adaptability and sense of teamwork to rise to the challenges presented. The Grade 9 expeditions include nearly 20 choices such as: • diving in Lombok • Everest – base camp or service expedition • mountain biking in Thailand
• tall ship sailing – Australia or Malaysia • climbing – Mount Kinabalu or in China • trekking – Ladakh, India or Hong Kong • sea kayaking in Malaysia • adventure tours – Langkawi, Japan, Korea, Annapurna (Nepal) or Wales Every student is expected to participate on at least one trip. Please note that there is an extra cost for these trips, which varies depending on the trip selected.
Optional involvement A number of fully-supervised optional trips are offered during the school holidays. Previous trips have included cultural immersion tours to Taiwan and Spain for students studying these languages, a ski trip to Switzerland and a service trip to India. UWCSEA also provides students options to participate in the National Youth Achievement Award at Bronze and Silver level while in the first two years of High School. There are also a number of opportunities available via Round Square.
Personal and social education To ensure that the High School experience is both positive and enjoyable, and that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential, the Principal, Vice Principal, Head of Grade and mentors work with subject teachers to provide support for all students in their care. The dedicated Personal and Social Education (PSE) programme supports students feeling valued and confident. It builds self awareness and reflection, fosters physical, emotional and social
well being, and addresses topics relevant to all adolescents such as relationships, study skills and preparation for future studies and career. The programme offers opportunities for our students to become more socially, culturally and politically aware, and appreciative of being part of a global community.
site once a week after school during the academic year.
Students are assigned a mentor teacher at the beginning of Grade 9, and the PSE programme is delivered through daily meetings with the mentor group and via regular assemblies. The mentor is central to the care of students and works with the Head of Grade to help students make the most of their time in High School. In addition, our university advising programme commences in Grade 10, with advice on subject selection in preparation for the IBDP and access to tools that assist students to gauge potential for future studies and possible career paths that best suit them.
Service Service is at the heart of our ethos, and all students participate in the College’s uniquely structured programme. Within the College, there are opportunities to take active leadership roles in the Primary School. Some students are trained in sports leadership and coach younger teams. All students also join a Singapore-based local service project, visiting the service
The global component of the Service programme involves initiatives outside of Singapore, which we call Global Concerns. This enables students to put their ideals into action by establishing project groups which actively address specific development and environmental issues about which the students care deeply. All students are expected to commit fully to their service and show initiative by planning and leading activities.
Technology As part of the College’s commitment to integrating technology that supports learning, all (I)GCSE students are issued with an Apple laptop. Students are supported in the responsible use of technology through our extensive digital citizenship programme which aims to provide them with the skills and knowledge to become responsible digital citizens. Teachers are supported by digital literacy coaches in implementing effective uses of technology in their teaching and assignments. We use the Generation Safe tools to provide our teachers with professional development in the areas of prevention, detection, intervention and response to cyber incidents. Because experiences online affect school climate, the Generation Safe programme provides the framework for
a network of support for all stakeholders—teachers, administrators, school counsellors, network administrators, parents and, above all, students.
Results UWCSEA’s (I)GCSE programme is an excellent preparation for the IB Diploma. The performance of UWCSEA Dover students in the (I)GCSE examinations has long shown a strong correlation with subsequent IB Diploma point scores, which supports students in making realistic subject choices, knowing how they are likely to perform in the final examinations. The first East Campus cohort sat (I)GCSE examinations in May/ June 2013. 70.4% of the UWCSEA East cohort received ‘A*–A’ grades, while the ‘A*–C’ grade figure was 96.7%. When compared to UK independent schools statistics from previous years, UWCSEA East has a higher percentage of A*, A*–A and A*–C grades than the Independent Schools Council (ISC) published statistics. For more information on the (I)GCSE academic programme, please see our curriculum guide, available for download at www.uwcsea.edu.sg/admissions/ brochure-downloads.
For details on admission Admissions Department UWCSEA East +65 6305 5344 admissionseast@uwcsea.edu.sg
East Campus (I)GCSE results 2013 Year 2013
%A* UWCSEA 36.2
%A* ISC 32
%A*–A UWCSEA 70.4
%A*–A ISC 60.4
%A*–C UWCSEA 96.7
%A*–C ISC 94.4
www.isc.co.uk
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