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| Date | Programmes |
23 - Feb - 2010 |
Higher school programmes Higher School Programmes: IGCSE and IBDP Today, parents have a plethora of educational boards from which to choose, to enroll their children. We are proud to announce that APG School being, both a registered Cambridge International Centre as well as an IB World School, offers IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) to grades 9 and 10 students and IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) to grades 11 and 12 students. A school’s curriculum is the center of the learning experience that a school offers its students. It is at the heart of the mission and vision of the school. This is why the best place to make decisions about the curriculum is within the school itself. APG School understands that students are learning for life. Thus, it goes beyond helping students get good grades. It provides students a passport for immediate progression and the skills that will bring lifelong success in tomorrow’s world through quality education. What characteristics do we instill in our students? • Ability to study, work and communicate in English “Education for success in tomorrow’s world!” ● THE IGCSE: What is it? The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a globally recognized qualification, taken upon completion of Grade 10 level. It is a comprehensive two-year programme, spread over Grades 9 and 10, and leads to the final examinations offered every year in May and November. What is a Cambridge International Centre? Schools that are accredited by CIE for the conduct of the IGCSE programme are known as Cambridge International Centre. APG is a Cambridge International Centre as it has been authorized by the CIE to offer the IGCSE programme. How is the IGCSE compared to other international programmes? Like other modern programmes, IGCSE offers a wider range of subjects and promotes high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning. It is a balanced curriculum and a flexible course of study. Most subjects in the IGCSE offer a choice between core and extended curriculum. This gives students of all ability levels the freedom to choose subjects that are right for them and, thereby, the opportunity to score good grades. The IGCSE Assessment IGCSE assessment is conducted by two UK assessment bodies. It is not limited to conventional written papers. It also includes oral and listening tests. The assessment is aimed at tapping a wide range of student’s ability, with an eight-point grading scale, from A+ to G, with A+ being the highest. A student who has passed IGCSE is eligible for any +2 level qualifications, pre-university programme, like the IB Diploma, Advanced Placement Diploma (US), and A/AS Level & AICE (UK). Cambridge IGCSE examination sessions occur twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Results are issued in August and January respectively. What are the subjects in the IGCSE curriculum? There are five Subject Groups in IGCSE with several subjects to choose from in each group: • Group 1: Languages (First Language, Second Language, Foreign Language, etc.) For each subject, the certificate merely indicates the grades scored, and not pass or fail. Five scores of 'C' or higher indicates a student’s readiness to pursue +2 level qualifications, like the Class 12 CBSE, IB Diploma, Advanced Placement Diploma (US), etc. What is the International Certificate of Education (ICE) that is awarded to some IGCSE students? The ICE is more prestigious than the standard IGCSE. Instead of the five papers needed to obtain the IGCSE, if a student attempts and passes seven or more papers, s/he is awarded the ICE. Selection of seven subjects must be as follows: (a) two subjects from the language group; (b) one from each of the other four groups; and (c) one from any of the five groups. Why should I select IGCSE for my child? 1. IGCSE is one of the most sought-after and recognized qualifications in the world. It develops vital educational skills, including oral skills, investigative skills, problem solving, team work, recall of knowledge, and initiative. 2. The IGCSE programme has worldwide status and credibility. It is delivered in schools in over 140 countries and is recognized by colleges and universities everywhere, more so in the UK and the University of Bahrain 4. Cross-curricular perspectives are an integral part of the curriculum. Making connection between subjects, skills and other dimensions creates coherence for learners, and increases motivation and engagement for teachers and students. The IGCSE Team The entire IGCSE Faculty Team consists of highly efficient subject experts who are led and guided by the highly experienced IGCSE Coordinator, Mrs. Rashida Suleman. APG School provides full support to teachers to further enhance their knowledge and develop their skills as professionals by putting them in face-to-face workshops and through the online trainings conducted by Cambridge. The CIE Website For more information about IGCSE, log on to www.cie.org “Quality Education for a better world!” ● THE IBDP: What is it? The IBDP or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is … • a comprehensive and challenging pre-university course of study How is the IB Diploma Programme different from other international programmes? The IB Diploma Programme is more practical and application-based. It has a broader spectrum of subjects that lead to the development of a well-rounded personality. The IB curriculum is more challenging than the educational boards. The challenge is not in the quantity of work but in the quality of assignment. What is IBO? IBO or International Baccalaureate Organization is a non-profit international organization, not associated with any particular country and free of national, political, educational agenda, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland with 3 regional offices worldwide such as the IB Africa-Europe-Middle East, IB Asia Pacific, and IB Americas. The IB Diploma Programme was founded in 1968 by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The IBO offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools with more than 774,000 IB students at 2,815 schools in 138 countries. What are IB World Schools? The aim of the IB Diploma Programme The Diploma Programme aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people across the globe so that they will become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The IB Mission—Learner Profile With the mission to develop international-minded lifelong learners, the IB translated its principle through the LEARNER PROFILE. ▪ INQUIRER — develops natural curiosity and shows independence in learning The IB Diploma Programme Curriculum The IB Diploma Programme curriculum is illustrated through a hexagon which is the Diploma Programme Model that shows 6 groups of major subject areas and 3 core subjects. Electives are taken from groups 1 to 6. Students take 3 SL and 3 HL subjects. Certain subjects are only available at Standard Level. Standard Level Course requires a minimum of 150 hours of teacher contact time and Higher Level Course requires a minimum of 240 hours of teacher contact time within 2 years All 3 core subjects are compulsory to all students. Theory of Knowledge requires a minimum of 100 hours of teacher contact time, Extended Essay requires a minimum of 40 hours of teacher contact time, and Creativity-Action-Service requires a minimum of 150 hours of teacher contact time within 2 years. The IB Diploma Programme Assessments The IB Diploma Programme provides a rigorous assessment internally and externally. The Internal Assessment is through a “Coursework” in the different selected subjects from the 6 groups and the 3 core subjects completed within 2 years and submitted by the IB student usually on the 3rd quarter. The coursework is initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners. The External Assessment is through the “Examination” administered by the IBO. Students take written examinations at the end of the programme which are marked by external IB examiners. The IB Examination Session and Result Publication There are only two examination sessions—May and November. The May examination results are published in July and the November examination results are posted in January. Each subject is assessed in its own way and graded with a score of 1-7 for groups 1 to 6 subjects with a maximum of 42 points (6 subjects x 7 points) and a minimum of 24 points (6 subjects x 4 points) Up to 3 bonus points are awarded for Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) according to a matrix with a maximum of 45 (42 + 3 TOK and EE) and a minimum of 27 (24 + 3 TOK and EE). Creativity-Action-Service (CAS) is not given a grade by the IB but is a strict requirement to earn the IB Diploma The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 27 points with a passing mark in the core subjects. The APG-IB Team The APG-IB Team is composed of highly qualified and IBO-trained professional teachers led by a highly efficient expert IB Coordinator, Prof. Elizabeth Buenviaje, who is also an IBO-trained administrator. The IBO Website For more information about IB, log on to www.ibo.org |