Key Stage 4 and the IGCSE

Key Stage 4 covers Years 10 and 11 of your child's High School experience ( ages 15 to 16) at St Andrews International School Bangkok. These crucial years revolve around preparing your child for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations, one of the most highly regarded pre-university qualifications in the world.

Normally students sit these rigorous exams at the end of Year 11, with the results used to bolster applications to university and other academic programmes.  The IGCSE programme at St Andrews has been meticulously designed to ensure your child will be well-prepared to achieve their qualifications, setting them up for success in future study and careers.

What makes our IGCSE programme unique? 

Our IGCSE programme boasts one of the most extensive range of courses in Thailand with up to 24 different subjects and counting. Along with traditional courses in the Arts, Humanities, Sciences and Languages, we offer various specialist subjects in the Arts (Dance &  Photography), Physical Education, and STEAM (Resistant Materials or Systems & Control). This multidisciplinary approach allows your child to  assemble a broad programme of study that fulfills their individual passions, while also helping them develop a unique set  21st century skills which will make them stand out from the crowd.  

Choosing IGCSE subjects can be a tough decision, as many school IGCSE programmes are rigid and inflexible. However, our carefully-designed IGCSE curriculum caters to students’ flexibility and curiosity. We believe that your child should have the utmost choice available to them in their learning. Students are guided throughout the selection process so that they can be guaranteed their first choice IGCSE subjects, and in the majority of cases, offered their full selection of subjects. Ultimately, the immense range of IGCSE subjects at St Andrews International School Bangkok unlocks a whole world of benefits and opportunities for your child.

Preparing for the IGCSEs

The Key Stage 4 curriculum is constructed around a core group of subjects supplemented by wide range of elective subjects. We ensure every child undertakes an individualised programme based on their interests and strengths. We support our students in a multitude of ways so that they make the most informed decisions with their IGCSEs.(IGCSE teacher workshops, lunchtime IGCSE fairs and parent information evenings.)

Grading, Examinations and Coursework

The IGCSE and GCSE courses are accessible to students with a wide range of abilities. Results are published as grades from A to G. Students who do not reach the required standard receive a U grade, and those who do exceptionally well achieve an A*. Students will be graded on the A to G scale during the course of study to gauge their progress and assess their preparedness for their examinations.

However, the final grade a student receives does not entirely depend on their exam performance. Often a compulsory coursework component must also be completed during their two years of study. This coursework is marked internally and can account for as much as 50% of the final mark. Syllabuses are regularly reviewed and updated to keep pace with developments in educational practice and prepare students for the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13.