OUR BEGINNINGS IN 2007 & 2008
Read about our High School and Elementary School division beginnings.
Parents can expect to receive information on progress in all subjects in three main ways:
- by formal reports which include Achievement grades (on a 1-7 scale), feedback on a student’s Attitude towards Learning and some comments about how the student can best improve
- by accessing the online mark books where grades are shared from all subjects
- at Parent Teacher Conferences
Curriculum Overview
Foundation IGCSE (Grades 7 & 8)
The aim of the curriculum in Grade 7 and 8 is to provide a broad range of subjects, enabling students to discover their aptitudes and strengths and to develop the skills and knowledge base for the IGCSE course in Grade 9 and 10. In particular, Grade 8 will be seen as a “pre-IGCSE course”. Contexts for study are wide-ranging with course materials drawn from a range of local and international examples. Wherever possible, trips and excursions are offered to extend the curriculum beyond simply a classroom experience.
Curriculum Structure
Approximately 4 hours per week will be allocated to:
- Mathematics
- English (including one semester of Drama)
- Science
- Second Language
- Humanities (including History and Geography)
- Religious Education (including ethical issues and life skills): 1.3 hours
- Aesthetics (Music and Art): 2.6 hours
- PE: 2.6 hours
- Pastoral/Registration time: 1.25 hours
- IT is integrated throughout the curriculum.
Curriculum Overview
IGCSE (Grades 9 & 10)
All students study:
- Mathematics, including Additional Mathematics for about half the cohort
- English Language and Literature
- Second Language
- PE (1.3 hours – not examined)
- Religious Education / Personal and Social Education (1.3 hours- not examined)
- And either:
- Chemistry and Physics and Biology plus one of Economics, History, Geography, Music, Drama, Art, Physical Education or:
- Coordinated Science plus one Humanities subject (History, Geography, Economics) and one other subject (another Humanities subject, Drama, Art, Music or Physical Education).
Grade 10 Foundation Course
The aim of the Grade 10 Foundation Course is, in a one-year course, to prepare students for the IB Programme.
FIB students join SJI International at the start of Grade 10 and they cannot, therefore, sit for the IGCSE examinations in most subjects as the IGCSE is a two-year course.
Grade 10 Foundation Course students study a curriculum set at the standard of Grade 10 work which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to enable students to confidently tackle the IB Diploma course in Grades 11 and 12.
If they wish to and are at a suitable level, they may take the final IGCSE examinations in their second language, Extended Mathematics or Additional Mathematics.
Curriculum Overview
- Grade 10 Foundation Course students take the equivalent of Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, English Language and Literature and an integrated Science course. For their Language other than English they join Grade 10 classes (see the IGCSE course for details of the Language programmes).
- Grade 10 Foundation Course students take three Humanities subjects: History, Geography and Economics and also follow a course in Art or Music (they are asked to select this after the first few weeks of the year). All students take one double period of Drama.
- All Grade 10 Foundation Course students will sit internally-set examinations towards the end of the academic year.
IB Diploma (Grades 11 & 12)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme encompasses a challenging course of study which pushes the boundaries of our students’ physical, social and creative growth. The programme successfully fulfils its aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who then have the opportunity to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Curriculum Overview
The IB Diploma course consists of six subjects, three to be studied at higher level and three at standard level. We encourage our students to choose subjects that will both optimise their success and also become a pathway to their preferred university course.
In selecting subjects, our students should ask themselves the following questions:
- Do I enjoy studying this subject?
- Do I have a solid background in the skills associated with this subject?
- Have I selected a manageable package?
It’s the core elements that distinguish the IB Diploma programme as the most holistic course of study at this level. These are the extended essay, theory of knowledge and creativity-activity-service. The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent, self-directed piece of research culminating in a 4000-word paper. Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a subject devoted to encouraging students to critically think about knowledge itself and how we learn.
Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS) is a programme which enables students to share their creative talents, to engage in energetic activities and to develop an awareness and concern for their community and beyond. We are very proud of our IB Diploma graduates.
They have completed the programme in the true spirit of the aims of the IB and have secured excellent tertiary courses in renowned universities spanning the globe.
Creativity, Activity and Service
As mentioned above, Creativity, Activity and Service, or CAS as it is better known, is an important part of the IB Diploma programme in Grades 11 and 12.
