The Year 10 and 11 German curriculum at Park Lane International School is based on the programmes offered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations Board, which has offered IGCSE subjects as an integral part of their international examination provision for many years. The IGCSE examination programme has been designed for 14 to 16 year olds and is a two year course. It aims to prepare students for further academic success, including progression to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The IGCSE qualification is recognised by academic institutions and employers around the world. The IGCSE curriculum in particular allows teaching to be placed in a localised context, making it relevant in different regions of the world. It is also suitable for students whose first language may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination process. However, it is essential to note that English is the language of instruction at Park Lane and as such, students do require a good level of competency in this area in order to fulfil their potential.
At the end of the two-year programme, students are assessed externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject.
Due to the greater degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of assessment for each subject. The final IGCSE examinations will take place during May/June but students will be required to sit Mock exams in preparation for the final examinations in January. The grading system is on an eight-point scale A* – G. IGCSE is the world’s most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to globally recognised IGCSE qualifications. In many countries, IGCSE courses are widely used as a preparation for AS/A Level, IB Diploma Programme and US Advanced Placement courses.
The German IGCSE programme at Park Lane begin in Year 10 and is completed in the summer term of Year 11. However, some students may begin the IGCSE course in Year 9 and sit the IGCSE examinations in Term 3 of Year 10. These students will then follow the B1 Goethe course in Year 11 to further extend and prepare them for the IB Diploma Programme.
At Park lane, we will offer the IB (International Baccalaureate) Programme in Year 12 and 13. The Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year programme of international education for students aged 16 to 19 years. The IB Diploma Programme prepares students for university and encourages them to:
• Ask challenging questions
• Learn how to learn
• Develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
• Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.