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Secondary

Brenda MurrayBrenda Murray : Secondary Head Teacher, From 11 - 16 years old

From 11 - 16 years old

Our curriculum for students in Years 7 – 11 will be based upon the International Baccalaureate’s Middle Years Programme, but will incorporate English curriculum IGCSEs in order to provide the external assessment at 16 that is customary in the UK. Courses are in English Language, Mathematics, Science and Computing with optional courses available in French, Spanish, Art & Design, Drama, Music, Humanities (History and Geography) and English Literature. Further subjects are available on request.

ICS Departmental Philosophies

English Literature and Skills Departmental Philosophy  

The English Literature and Skills course at ICS aims to provide our students with the ability to use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, learning and self-reflection. They will also be able to use language as tool for personal growth, social interaction and for developing relationships within our international community. Through the study of differing texts students will understand more clearly aspects of their own culture and those of other cultures. At ICS there is an emphasis on the celebration of diversity, which is a fundamental part of our learning at school.

The English Literature and Skills course will enable students to develop the skills involved in speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing in a variety of contexts. Students will analyse literature in a critical and creative way and consider the role of literature both culturally and historically. Students will develop language skills through interdisciplinary work and become better learners as they reflect on the learning process.

Mathematics Departmental Philosophy

When we cannot use the compass of Mathematics or the torch of experience…it is certain that we cannot take a single step forward. Voltaire

The principle philosophy of the department of Mathematics at International Community School is to instil in each pupil a high level of critical thinking skills. All courses of Mathematics provide an environment that cultivates these skills. In order for each student to achieve success, develop logical thought, and adapt to the approach of critical thinking, the department recognises fully that each student must be given multiple opportunities.

Success in Mathematics is contingent upon each student’s ability to formulate questions, create various models based on problem-situations, make general correlations between mathematical relationships, and challenge his/ her thinking at a higher level. Students develop these necessary academic skills through researching, thinking, planning, designing, negotiating, creating, processing, presenting, and reflecting.

The Mathematics curriculum encompasses a wide- range of subjects: Arithmetic, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Precalculus with Trigonometry, Single Variable and Multi-Variable Calculus. Infused within the aforementioned subjects are the strands of Number Sense, Patterns, Relations, Algebra, Geometry Fundamentals, Measurement, Data Ana lysis, Statistics, and Probability. The department has an accelerated program, APEX [Advanced Placement for Excellence], designed for gifted and talented students in the area of Mathematics. APEX students are taught within the parameters of the department’s philosophy and are challenged to solve deeper, broader, more sophisticated problems, and are introduced to thought provoking questions, often linking the disciplines of science [physical sciences] and mathematics.

It is the goal of the department that each student through his/ her critical thinking develop conjectures and build awareness for the need of mathematical reasoning in the sphere of his/ her life.

Science Departmental Philosophy

Never stop asking questions. Albert Einstein

In science we learn to view the world objectively without bias, preconceived ideas or prejudice. We learn how to formulate a question and how to investigate it using the accepted scientific theories of our time as reference points.

By understanding how mans’ understanding of the world has advanced and then retreated across time and cultures, we can put our current understanding in context, and accept that our deeply held theories could be proved wrong, and then we are able to advance in understanding.  

Humanities Departmental Philosophy

The Humanities Department is dedicated to helping students understand the basic principles of history and geography and the many ways that these subjects affect the world today. By studying the major events and individuals of the past while considering the environmental context that they took place in, we hope to encourage students to develop a greater appreciation for the world around them and those who have gone before them.

In the process of mastering specific content and attendant critical thinking skills, students are expected to gain a greater understanding of cultural differences and the myriad ways in which people around the world depend on both each other and the natural environment. Students also become aware of the inequalities that are as much a part of our historical past as they are the present day. These lessons aim to provide students with an international perspective while also developing their personal identity and helping to shape the values and ambitions that will direct their lives.

Art and Technology Departmental Philosophy

Art and Technology have been combined to create a subject that is multi-medium based. Art involves teaching the essential drawing, sculpture and printing skills that are necessary to continue in Art. In the two dimensional area, the students are taught composition, tone and shading. For three-dimensional work, the students learn constructive methods and how to manipulate materials.

There is a strong emphasis on design and ICT in the Technology department. Some of the projects include Fashion, Architecture and Engineering. The students work with a wide range of materials including plaster, clay, printing and felt making. Incorporating Art and Technology makes a very interesting subject where the students learn in a holistic way, using both their creative and their logical side.

Business Studies Departmental Philosophy

The IGCSE Business Studies Course has been designed to introducethe student into the world of business. The Department’s philosophy is one of combining theory and real-life case studies, to allow the students to understand the way in which businesses work at local, national and international levels.

The textbook used is IGCSE Business Studies published by Cambridge University Press. Topics include: understanding the nature and purpose of business, different types of companies and how companies are organised, different forms of accounting, marketing issues, and the relationship between business and the state. Each unit has a brief introduction followed by a ‘Business in Context’ section, which presents a real world or realistic setting for the topic covered.

English Skills Philosophy

The focus of the English Skills course is on teaching students the necessary skills needed to write, read and speak English with confidence and academic flair. Great emphasis and attention will be placed on spelling, punctuation and grammar. Each class meets twice per week. Along with the routine tasks of rudimentary English Skills students will be required to produce written work consisting of essays, stories, poems and reports to put their skills into practice.

Day 1

At the beginning of each lesson the spelling words for the week will be introduced. The words will come from a variety of sources, however the main source will be the subject teachers. Students will have the chance to practise and utilize the words being introduced in their other subjects. Students will be required to define each word and write a sentence using the word in context.

Day 1 will also be used to practice grammar skills, punctuation and Modern Language Association documentation.

Day 2

This class will be entirely dedicated to the practice of speaking, reading and writing English. Students will be required to read a variety of different texts and to produce various type of written work. The sources will vary from school texts to excerpts from novels, magazines and newspapers.

English skills are an important part of allsubjects. Additional help with reading or writing in any subject is available to all students!!!

English Skills IGCSE Aims and Objectives

The aims of the IGCSE syllabus are to strengthen the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening:

Reading

Writing

Speaking and Listening

Students can sit either the Core or Extended IGCSE first language examination or English as a second language depending upon the classification.

Excellence in sport is encouraged at ICS, however the emphasis is not on competition. Physical Education, Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship together with a range of lunchtime clubs, after school activites, cultural activites in London and a number of overseas trips add to our challenging and motivating curriculum. There are two trips to our countryside campus at Bawdsey on the Suffolk coast where students focus on field studies and team working.