INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION (IGCSE)

 IGCSE@ISB Booklet

Welcome to the IGCSE pages of the ISB website. We have tried to give you as much information as possible concerning this course. However, if you have any queries concerning the IGCSE at ISB, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. David Bracken, (I/GCSE Coordinator) at igcse@isb.edu.bn or call (+673) 2 330608 to make an appointment.

IGCSE/GCSE Information

Students at ISB follow the International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE), General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and the Brunei-Cambridge GCE 'O' level examination course in Malay (Bahasa Melayu). (link to Bahasa Melayu subject information)

IGCSE provides a curriculum and methods of assessment appropriate for a wide ability range. It is designed as a two-year curriculum programme leading to a certificate which is internationally recognised as equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and the international GCE 'O' level examinations.

The aims of the IGCSE are :

1. to support modern curriculum development;
2. to promote international understanding;
3. to encourage good teaching practice;
4. to set widely recognised standards.

IGCSE keeps abreast of development in secondary education and provides an excellent foundation for the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IGCSE is administered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). We also use Edexcel, the London University Examination Board, for some subjects including Drama and ICT where those syllabi are deemed more suitable for our students.

Positive Achievement

The important principle of this examination is that students are rewarded for positive achievement - what they know, understand and can do - rather than being penalised for an accumulation of errors.
As well as testing whether students can recall information and present it in an orderly manner, the curriculum encourages:

1. the development of oral and practical skills;
2. an investigative approach;
3. the use of initiative to solve problems;
4. the application of skills, knowledge and understanding;
5. the ability to undertake individual projects and to work as part of a team.

The IGCSE and GCSE aim to provide positive educational experiences for both student and teacher.

Suitability for a Wide Range of Students

Both the IGCSE and GCSE examinations are suitable for the whole ability range of students. It has an 8-point scale of grades: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Grade A* is awarded for the highest level of achievement; Grade G indicates minimum satisfactory performance.

To take account of differing abilities in some subjects, there is a choice between Core and Extended Curriculum papers. This allows teachers to decide on the most appropriate level of papers for their students.
The Core Curriculum in each subject is within the ability range of a large majority of students. It provides a full overview of the subject and is targeted at students expected to achieve Grades C to G. The Extended Curriculum, which comprises the Core curriculum and Supplement material, has been designed for the more academically able and leads naturally into higher education or professional training. It is targeted at those expected to achieve Grades A* to C.

Students need not enter for the same level of curriculum in all subjects.

Fees

Exam Fees
The external examination boards that conduct the I/GCSE and ‘O' Level examinations charge for this service. The school also charges an administration fee for courier costs, after-hours invigilation and other costs involved in administering the examinations.

Examination fees and administration charges are payable in Term 2 of Year 11 when students receive the invoices. Parents must cover the examination fees as an additional cost, separate from the ISB school fees.

Exam Regulations - Important Information
Students will receive a ‘Notice to Candidates' issued by the Cambridge International and Edexcel Examination Boards during their final few weeks of school in Year 11. It is important for both students and their parents to be aware of the stated warning related to student conduct during examinations, as any student who "breaks the rules in any way may be disqualified from all his/her
subjects."

There will be study leave scheduled just before each mock and final examination in Years 10 and 11. Before the study leave begins, students will be briefed by the I/GCSE Coordinator on appropriate examination conduct and information regarding examination procedures. They will also receive copies of their examination timetables at this time. During the examination period, students are‘off-timetable' and need only come into school to sit for their relevant subject papers.

Students will also receive ‘exam passes' which will allow them to sign in and out of the campus at the security guard post. Students who are waiting in school between two exam papers may study in the Secondary Library. However, they will not be supervised by staff, therefore, parents must ensure that students are not abusing the exam passes to go off-campus without their permission or knowledge.

Absences during Mock and Final Examinations
Please take note that for all examinations held at the school, including mock examinations, the timetables must be strictly adhered to, with no deviations or any special arrangements available for students who miss their examinations.

Students who miss mock examinations for unavoidable reasons can work through the papers after the examination session, but must seek permission from the I/GCSE Coordinator prior to the examination period.

Students who miss the external, final examinations will be marked as ‘absent' for this component of their course and the Examination Boards will not make any allowances nor give any refund of exam fees for these absences. Such students would then have to register for the next available public examination and pay exam fees accordingly.

Brunei-Cambridge GCE ‘O' Level Bahasa Melayu Examinations
Students who are enrolled at ISB can register as ‘School Candidates' for the Brunei-Cambridge ‘O' Level Bahasa Melayu examinations. Registration forms and exam fee invoices are sent home with the relevant students in Term 2 or 3 of Year 10 and thereafter, if applicable.

Parents and students must pay these examination fees and submit completed forms to the cashier in the main school office by the due dates stated on the appropriate letters.

Other GCE ‘O' Level Examinations
Although we strongly discourage our students from taking ‘O' Level exams in subjects that are not offered here at ISB, students may register for additional subjects as ‘Private Candidates'. Blue registration forms and instructions can be obtained at the Examinations Department, Ministry of Education.

We request that parents contact the I/GCSE Coordinator to discuss this issue in good time before the published closing date/s for entries.

Secondary Library
The Secondary Library has materials to support studies in all curriculum areas. Should students find themselves with any spare leisure time, there is a wide range of fiction available.

There is also a section of up-to-date information on colleges and universities, subject courses and career pathways. Our Careers and Guidance Counsellor is also available to help with future educational and careers advice.

OPTION CHOICES

There are five subject areas that are compulsory for students at ISB and which form the core curriculum of I/GCSE. These are :

    • English Language and English Literature
    • Mathematics
    • Coordinated Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics leading to a double grade award)
    • A foreign language (French, Malay or Mandarin Chinese)
    • Information and Communication Technology

Students then need to select three (3) other options from the list contained on
the ‘Option Form' issued with this booklet.

The reverse side of the Option Form has an ‘Official Name Form' that must be fully completed and returned. Please read the instructions on this form carefully to avoid unnecessary additional fees.

We will endeavour to provide first choices of subject, but this may not be possible in all cases.

Parents and students will receive information about the availability and confirmation of their option choices before the end of Term 3 in Year 9.

IGCSE School for Parents

• IGCSE School for Parents Presentation- Year 10
• IGCSE School for Parents Topic List- Year 10
• IGCSE School for Parents Presentation- Year 11
• IGCSE School for Parents Topic List- Year 11

On progress