Curriculum

ROSE THRELFALL – DEPUTY HEAD OF SCHOOL

The International Community School provides high quality education to students aged between 3 and 18 years based upon established curricular models.

For over 25 years the International Community School has developed an international curriculum that was based upon the English National Curriculum. Since September 2005 curricular development has been guided by the concepts and methodologies of the International Baccalaureate Organisation's (IBO) programmes of study.Our mission is to provide one of the best and most inclusive programmes available at any IBO School in London.

In practice this means that our curriculum for Years 1 - 6, and influencing our Early Learning Centre will be based on the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Our curriculum for students in Years 7 - 11 will be based upon the Middle Years Programme (MYP), but will incorporate the Cambridge International IGCSEs in order to provide the external assessment at 16 that is customary in the UK.

Students in Years 12 and 13 will study from August 2007 the Cambridge International 'A' Level programme, necessary preparation in order to gain entry to universities and colleges around the world. In many ways this change builds upon earlier curricular work. With one of the most internationally diverse school student bodies in the world, ICS has always adapted the English National curriculum to give it a much more international focus.

Most importantly the International Community School is building its new curricula around three areas of unique strength;

1. The English Language - as a school that has grown out of the English as a Foreign Language tradition, we will incorporate many of the methodologies that have been so successful in this area of education, in particular in relation to fast paced, student centred dynamic methodology.
2. Special Education Needs - as a school that passionately believes in inclusion, this strength of the school has much to teach the full curriculum, in particular with reference to individual study programmes and cross disciplinary and team teaching strategies.
3. Environmental Literacy - The International Community School's commitment to the understanding and appreciation of the natural physical environment places a strong emphasis on the principal of 'the classroom without walls' which is developed at our Field Study Centre in Bawdsey and through our exciting programme of overseas expeditions.

These three established educational strategies together with our tradition of internationalism and utilisation of the best of the English and IBO programmes are being built into a unique and challenging educational offer and make ICS an excellent choice for anyone seeking an IBO School in London.

The visual below, captures the dynamic breadth and vision of the academic programming at ICS. This provision is delivered uniquely within the context of the School’s mission and philosophy which includes:

• Extension (through Gifted and Talented strategies/advanced academic programming/challenge through Travel and Learn experiences)
• Support (through Special Educational Needs and/or English as a Foreign Language department)
• Individualized Approaches to Teaching and Learning (through the introduction of Personalized Learning Plans for all students)
• IB Learner Profile (Holistic approach to education that focuses upon intellectual, personal, emotional and social domains).
• Diversity (Embracing the richness, opportunities and challenges of our own international community)