YOUR UPPER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE West Island School, Hong Kong Inspiring Students to become responsible Global Citizens

Pathways WIS UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM International Diploma IB Diploma 2

Our common goal “WIS has a commitment to provide an appropriate education for all our students regardless of their ability range and preferred learning style.” 3

1 or 2 IB SL Certificates that complement your BTEC Major (e.g. English, Languages, Design Technology, Film Studies, Physics or Maths) Options BTEC Major (Business, Art & Design, Engineering, Sport & Exercise Science, Performance) BTEC Minor (Business, Art & Design, Engineering, Sport & Exercise Science, Performance ) Work Skills Work Placement Extended Project CAS & PE International West Island School

International Diploma Pathway International Diploma pathways are designed for a different set of preferred Learning Styles Applied Learning Formative Assessment Few end of course examinations Specific Subject focus Work Experience Career Related Applied progression to Further Education or Higher Education Career Related Applied progression to Further Education or Higher Education 5

International Diploma Pathway A student that enters the International Diploma Programme should meet the following criteria : achieved at least 4 A* - C at GCSE have a good level of numeracy with a good standard of written communication skills displayed constructive energy during their time at WIS shown a commitment to CAS 6

International Diploma Pathway Flexible Alternative pathway Wide range of choices Specialize or maintain breadth Core programme has same philosophy as IB Working closely with Other ESF Schools on the Island 7

International Diploma Pathway- Major Subject Focus 8 Engineering Art & Design Performing Arts BusinessSport Major Subject Focus Choose one

International Diploma Pathway- Minor Subject Focus 9 Engineering Art & Design Performing Arts BusinessSport Minor Subject Focus Choose one

International Diploma Pathway- What is BTEC? BTEC stands for Business Technology Education Council BTEC Minor is equivalent to 1 A Level BTEC Major is equivalent to 2 A Levels Graded at Distinction *, Distinction, Merit, Pass and Fail It is awarded exactly the same UCAS points as A Levels It is recognized by universities in UK, and elsewhere Applied practical learning Formative Assessment Valued for clear vocational pathways 10

BTEC Business- Major or Minor Is Business Studies for you? If you particularly find the application of business theory to real life businesses interesting Want to understand how a business runs, work, the recruitment and selection of employees how businesses market themselves to consumers how businesses should manage their accounts The BTEC 3 National Diploma in Business is a full-time two-year course designed for students considering a career in any area of Business. This includes the following branches of Business: Marketing E-commerce Finance Human Resource Management Accounting Retail 11

BTEC Engineering- Major or Minor Is Engineering for you? Enjoy practical tasks as some of the units are very rewarding and you have the opportunity in manufacturing your solutions to real design problems Develop your skills and knowledge on Engineering Materials and Processes, Engineering Drawing, Mathematics, Welding, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM). The BTEC 3 Diploma in Engineering is a full- time two-year course leading to the following branches of Engineering: Aerospace Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering 12

BTEC Art & Design- Major or Minor The BTEC 3 Diploma in Art & Design will give you an understanding of the vital skills, techniques and attitudes to start as a successful professional or move on to further study. It will give an insight into employment opportunities available in the art and design world so that you can progress into a specific area of work within the industry. Is Art & Design for you? challenging, integrated, exciting, flexible and a varied programme designed to meet individual student needs a route through 'Specialist Art and Design Pathways’ relevant and purposeful pre-vocational course that can lead to various pathways. provides awards and qualifications required for university entry or the work place. 13

BTEC Sports & Exercise Sciences- Major & Minor Is Sports & Exercise Sciences for you? develop your knowledge and skills in selected activities explore the contemporary sociological issues in modern sport examine the effects of exercise and the relationships between training and performance analyse the way we learn to be skilful compare and contrast sport through many differing cultures enhance your understanding of the role of technology or psychology in sporting performance find ways to improve your own performance through your greater understanding of the subject. The BTEC 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sports & Exercise Sciences is a full-time two-year. If you enjoy sporting activities the course will broaden your all round knowledge and skills in Physical Education as well as developing your understanding of the theory behind the subject. 14

BTEC Performing Arts - Major & Minor Is Performance for you? Do you enjoy a creative challenge as all of the units are practically demanding, pushing you to explore new techniques and develop performance awareness? You must want to problem solve within artistic frameworks, using a wide range of skills to communicate meaning to specific target audiences. You must want to develop your skills and knowledge in a wide range of Drama genres and styles, using subject specific vocabulary to add clarity to your ideas. 15 The BTEC 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts is a full-time two-year course exploring the following areas of Theatre and Performance : Performing to an Audience Applying Physical Theatre Theatre for Children Devising Plays Performing in Masks Contemporary Theatre Performance

IB Diploma Programme A student that enters the IB Diploma Programme should meet the following criteria: Achieved at least 5 A* - C at GCSE including Math and English Language Displayed constructive energy during their time at WIS Shown a commitment to CAS.

IB Diploma in ESF Secondary Schools  IB Diploma Programme has been introduced for Post 16 Students across the 5 Secondary Schools in 2007  Students in Years will continue to complete a Middle Year Curriculum with IGCSE and GCSE examinations.

IB Diploma at WIS  First cohort of students completed their Diploma in May 2009  You will be the 7th cohort of IB and International Diploma students

The IB Diploma  A balanced and comprehensive international programme of study over two years for Post 16 students  University entrance qualification recognized around the world in over ninety countries  Over 3000 participating schools in more than 143 countries  Over 1 million Students

The Full IB Diploma Curriculum  Study 6 subjects over two years  Three subjects studied at Higher Level  Three subjects studied at Standard Level  Study of the Theory of Knowledge  Completion of an Extended Essay  Participation in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service.)

Group 5 Maths IB ExtendedEssayExtendedEssay Theory of Knowledge Knowledge Creativity,Action,ServiceCreativity,Action,Service Group 6 Creative Arts Creative Arts Group 1 Language A Group 2 Group 2 Language B Ab initio Group 3 Individuals & Societies Group 4 ExperimentalSciences

Group 1: Literature A1- English  Demanding world literature course  Most students will study texts in English. They study novels, plays, non fiction and poetry from a range of countries and cultures  Some of the texts studied are translated texts originally written in non English languages.  10 texts at Standard Level/13 texts at Higher level.  Self Taught Option (SL Only)

Group 1: Language & Literature A1- English  An academic course focusing on the detailed study of both fiction and non- fiction texts.  A focus on the varieties of language use and the contexts in which language is used.  Includes the traditional analytical study of literary texts – prose, poetry and drama.  Communicative uses of language and aspects of culture are key elements of the course.

Group 1& 6: Performance & Literature SL  An academic course focusing on the dramatic adaptation of non- performance texts.  Includes the traditional analytical study of literary texts – prose, poetry and drama  Focus on transforming texts for performance.  Performance is formally assessed.

Group 1: Language & Literature A1 Chinese SL Only  Demanding Language and Literature Course  Students must be at a very high standard of Chinese

Group 2: Second Language Study Appropriate Challenge Language B Higher and Standard. This course meets the needs of candidates for whom Language B is an academic foreign language. Students must have studied this language before. Chinese, Spanish and French will be offered.  Ab Initio – Standard Level. This course is designed for candidates who have a basic grasp of the Language or are relative beginners. Chinese, Spanish and French will be offered. Although designed for beginners this is not an easy option.

Group 3: Individuals and societies  Business and Management  Economics  Geography  Psychology  Philosophy  History  Environmental Systems and Society (Group 3 or Group 4, also Group 3 & Group 4)

Group 4 – Experimental Sciences  Chemistry  Biology  Physics  Computer Science  Sport & Exercise Science SL  Design Technology: Resistant Materials ( HL & SL ) CAD/CAM ( HL & SL ) Food ( SL ) Textiles ( SL )  Environmental Systems and Society (Group 3 or Group 4, also Group 3 & Group 4)

Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science  Maths Higher (HL) - designed for able mathematicians who will be studying mathematics, engineering, physics, etc at university  Maths Standard (SL) – challenging course for students requiring mathematics skills for their university degree course.  Maths Studies (SL) – focus on practical applications for those unlikely to require mathematics in their future studies.

Group 6: Arts and electives  Theatre Arts  Visual Arts  Film Studies  Music  Performance and Literature – (Group 1 or 6, also Group 1 &6)  Students are expected to take a named Group 6 Arts course unless they have specific evidence highlighting Higher Education requirements to select a second subject from Groups 2-4.

Theory of Knowledge  Interdisciplinary requirement  Stimulate critical reflection on knowledge  100 hours of teaching  Assessment 1 essay minute presentation.

Extended Essay  Original research  Extended essay of 4,000 words  Depth of analysis of a particular topic

Creativity, Action Service (CAS)  150 hours over 2 years  Creativity – wide range of arts as well as designing and implementing service projects  Action – individual and team sports but also taking part in expeditions and local/international projects  Service – community and social service activities

Assessment  Terminal examinations in each subject  Internal assessment in most subjects. Coursework from 30% to 70%  Use made of criterion based grading system which is not norm referenced like the current A Level system  Each subject Graded 1-7 (7 highest)  Diploma requirement 24 points  Maximum 45 points (3 bonus points for Extended Essay and TOK)  Students need a 4 to pass Higher Level subjects!! ESF Position

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