At GIS we offer an International Curriculum using the British system as a framework modified to suit the needs of our international intake. Whether your child goes on to university in Thailand or overseas, your child will leave GIS well prepared.
Secondary Curriculum
Key Stage 3 - Years 7 - 9
During Key Stage 3 (KS3), Years 7 to 9, the students continue the education they received in Primary by also following the National Curriculum of England and Wales, which is enhanced to suit the international climate in which we live.
The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 can be daunting for the students as they now find themselves going from being the oldest students in Primary school to being the youngest in Secondary. A lot of care and preparation is carried out by the staff to make sure that the Year 7 students feel welcomed and support is given to help them adapt to the new environment.
The students study a wide variety of subjects during their time in KS3 which combine to give them a broad and balanced curriculum of study to follow and develop as young learners. The subjects covered in KS3 include:
- English
- Maths
- Sciences
- Thai
- Expat Thai
- Art
- Design Technology
- Computing
- French
- Spanish
- Mandarin
- Music
- History
- Geography
- Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
- Global Perspectives
- Physical Education
- Swimming
- Drama
During Term 2 of Year 9, the students and their parents will meet with the teachers and decide which IGCSE subjects they wish to study in Years 10 and 11.
Key Stage 4: IGCSE
During Years 10 and 11 the students start to focus on those subjects that they feel will best benefit them in the future. Although these life decisions might seem a bit early, the students are encouraged to take a variety of subjects in order to broaden their horizons and provide them with more options for the next stage in their education.
We currently we offer 19 different subjects, following the Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE) IGCSE curricula:
- English Literature
- English Language
- English as a Second Language
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Coordinated Sciences
- Thai
- Art and Design
- Business studies
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- French
- Spanish
- Geography
- History
- Mandarin
- Music
- Physical Education
English, Maths and Science are compulsory for all students and Thai is also compulsory for all Thai nationals. Each of the subjects is allocated four lessons per week, except for Maths (5), English (6) and Coordinated Sciences (9).
The IGCSE course is demanding but ultimately rewarding as it provides the students with in-depth knowledge of their chosen subjects, setting them up nicely on their path of becoming independent, lifelong learners. In KS4, the students also receive a double session of PE and a lesson of PSHE each week.
During May/June of Year 11, the students will sit the external IGCSE exams at school. Although the exams are sat at the school, which is a registered CAIE examinations centre, the completed exam papers are couriered to the UK where they are marked. The results are then sent back to the school in early August.
Key Stage 5: IB Diploma
After successful completion of Years 10 and 11, the students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the world’s premier pre-university course of study. The students are given support and advice on which subjects to choose as this will decide their future path at university and possibly their future career.
The subjects currently offered at the school include:
Programme Options
- English A & Literature
- Thai A Language & Literature
- English B
- Spanish B
- Mandarin B
- Business Management
- Geography
- History
- Psychology
Programme Options
- Environmental Systems and Societies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Design Technology
- Computer Science
- Mathematics Analysis and Approaches
- Visual Arts
- Music
The subjects currently offered at the school include:
Candidates study six selected subjects, three at the Higher Level and three at Standard Level. Higher Level programmes are taught over 240 teaching hours and the Standard Level are taught over 150 hours.
Students receive career guidance throughout the two-year programme and support in applying to universities, with our graduates attending some of the best universities in the world.
Year 12 and 13 students also continue to take part in P.E. lessons and are encouraged to become school Prefects and Head Students.
International Recognition
The IB Diploma is recognised by universities worldwide, including USA, UK, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, Singapore, New Zealand and more.
‘The depth of knowledge displayed by the best IB students makes them prime targets for America’s Ivy League universities’ . – Yale University, USA
iGCSE and IBDP
Details of our course options for iGCGSE and The International Baccalaureate Diploma can be found by clicking the link below
A Day in the Life of a Secondary Student:
The Secondary School day begins at 7:30 when we meet on the Basketball Court for our daily whole-school flag raising ceremony and welcome to the day. Students then head to their Tutor classes for registration time.
From 8:00am academic lessons begin. Secondary students have seven periods a day consisting of:
Key Stage 3:
National Curriculum Subjects:
- English (First Language)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Computing
- Art & Design
- Global Perspectives
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Mandarin Second Language
- French Second Language
- Physical Education
Non-National Curriculum subjects:
- Drama
- Thai Language
Key Stage 4 - IGCSE:
Examined subjects:
Core:
- English Language and Literature
- Mathematics – Core/Extended
- Science – Double or Triple Award
Options:
- Drama
- Computer Science
- Design & Technology
- First Language Thai
- Thai as an additional Language
- Foreign Language Spanish
- Foreign Language Mandarin
Options:
- Business studies
- Global Perspectives
- History
- Physical Education
- Music
- Geography
- Art & Design
Non-Examined subjects:
- Thai Language and Culture
Key Stage 5 - IB Diploma:
The Diploma requires three subjects to be taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard level (SL). Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The maximum points that can be awarded is 45: 7 per subject plus a maximum of 3 bonus points for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge components.
Students must also successfully complete the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge course and participate in Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Programme Options
- English A & Literature
- Thai A Language & Literature
- English B
- Spanish B
- Mandarin B
- Business Management
- Geography
- History
- Psychology
Programme Options
- Environmental Systems and Societies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Design Technology
- Computer Science
- Mathematics Analysis and Approaches
- Visual Arts
- Music
Non-Examined subjects:
- Physical Education
Students enjoy a break time each morning from 9:40am to 10:00am when they can socialise with their friends and enjoy a healthy snack from our canteen. Lunch is served from 12:30pm to 1:20pm each day.
We end our day at 3:00pm. Students then have a range of choices for activities outside of the curriculum.
We offer an Extra-Curricular Activity (ECA) programme every day which runs from 3:00pm to 4:10pm. There are options for families who would like their child to participate with a variety of activities available for them. Some are free, offered by our teaching staff, and others are paid clubs from external providers. These can be signed-up for on our Parent Portal.