IGCSE Unveiled
The Power and Promise of the IGCSE Curriculum
St. George's, as a British school, has put in place a rigorous learning path, adopting the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum for years 10 and 11, followed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for the final two years of schooling. Here, we aim to provide insights into the nature of the IGCSE and why we believe it perfectly prepares students for the IB.
What is the IGCSE?
The IGCSE is a curriculum offered by the Cambridge International Education Board. It stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education and is the international equivalent to the GCSE taken by UK students at 16 years of age.
Spanning two years, and catering for students aged 14-16 years, the IGCSE programme begins in Year 10 and concludes with examination at the end of Year 11. The curriculum lays the groundwork for further studies and is recognised in Germany as equivalent to the Mittlere Reife.
At St. George’s, students undertake core subjects in English language, English Literature, German language, Mathematics, Sciences and Physical Education. Additionally, they select one social science subject from History, Geography and Economics and two further options, from a list of 11 subjects tailored to their interests and needs, including Computer Science, Design and Technology (DT), Economics, Spanish, History, and Music among others.
The strength of the IGCSE lies in the fact that it is a subject-specific qualification, offering a diverse range of subjects and options. It is renowned for its theoretical orientation and structured framework.
Assessment in the IGCSE includes both coursework and final examinations, with grades ranging from A* to G, where A* represents the highest achievement. A grade of C is the minimum requirement to pass the examination and allows students to proceed in the subjects they wish to study in the following IB Diploma Programme. As the IGCSE is subject-specific, students receive an "IGCSE" qualification for each subject undertaken.
Why do we offer IGCSE before the IB?
Both the IGCSE and IB are internationally recognised programmes. There are distinct advantages of the IGCSE programme.
- IGCSE offers a wide subject choice
The IGCSE offers a broad spectrum of subject options, with up to 70 subjects available, allowing schools to tailor education to specific country requirements. For example, at our school, we include German in the Core Curriculum. This extensive choice empowers students to shape their education according to their specific interests and career aspirations.
- IGCSE provides a strong foundation in core subjects
The IGCSE provides a uniform syllabus, enabling teachers to follow a pre-defined, content-based programme. The IGCSE facilitates tracking of student progress for parents and ensures consistency in learning objectives, which is particularly advantageous for families relocating frequently. Moreover, the IGCSE emphasises knowledge acquisition, providing a solid foundation for furthers studies.
- IGCSE provides an excellent preparation for examinations
The IGCSE serves as excellent preparation for future exams, instilling in students the necessary skills to manage stress and employ effective revision methods. Various international programs, such as the Mittlere Reife in Germany or the Diplome National du Brevet (DNB) in France, similarly aim to assess basic knowledge and exam readiness. By familiarising students with exam conditions early on, the IGCSE equips them with valuable skills for their academic journey.
Offering the best of both worlds
At St. George´s, we prioritise the development of well-rounded individuals equipped with both knowledge and critical-thinking skills. Recognising the advantages of both the IGCSE and IB, we complement our British curriculum with the IB programme in the final two years to further enhance our students' skills for the future.
The IGCSE prioritises acquiring facts and memorisation to establish a robust knowledge foundation, and the IB complements this by emphasising critical thinking, research abilities and soft skills. Through the sequential provision of both programmes, we provide our students with a holistic education that combines solid subject understanding with the development of essential skills for success in an increasingly complex world.
The IGCSE serves as an ideal foundation to enter the IB Diploma programme, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for future academic endeavours and career opportunities.
Celebrating our IGCSE Success
Our last IGCSE results have been exceptional, with an impressive 84% of our students securing 5 A* - C grades. Our top performer was Adithya R. whose remarkable achievement includes 9 A* grades and 1 A grade.
In addition to our collective success it´s worth celebrating the individual triumphs recognised by the Cambridge International Education board:
Adithya´s exceptional performance stands out once again, earning the highest grades in Germany for both Chemistry and Physics. Equally noteworthy is Sudyut D.´s outstanding achievement, earning the highest grade in Germany for English Literature and the highest grade worldwide for Design and Technology.
These accomplishments underscore the quality of our students and the dedication of our educators.
