Curriculum Structure at TKHC
TKHC has three “schools” or levels, each covering a two-year programme in a 2-2-2 structure. The curriculum structure can be visualised as follows:
Lower School (G7-G8): Foundation Years Programme
In the Lower School, we run the Foundation Years Programme, our bespoke school-based curriculum. The Foundation Years Programme is designed to be varied and stimulating for our students, and to provide them with a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in Middle School and beyond. This includes developing their interests and soft skills as well as providing academic knowledge.
In order to achieve this, the Foundation Years Programme incorporates elements of the International Baccalaureate, such as a conceptual, inquiry-based approach to learning, Approaches to Learning (ATLs), and a globally-minded perspective. Content-wise, the curriculum is loosely aligned with the UK’s KS3.
Middle School (G9-G10): IGCSE Programme
Sandwiched between the Upper and Lower School is the Middle School. For two years, students study for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) qualifications. TKHC is an approved Cambridge CAIE, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA IGCSE official centre. Teachers will select the most suitable and appropriate examination board for their students based on the examination syllabus and assessment design.
Students are required to study Chinese, English, mathematics, and at least one subject in each of the following disciplines: Sciences, Humanities and Arts & Technical up to a total of nine subjects. The subjects we offer at IGCSE may differ slightly year to year depending on the popularity of specific subjects and teaching capacity.
TKHC IGCSE Programme
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education, or IGCSE, is a two-year, internationally recognised and academically rigorous curriculum that serves as a stepping stone towards the Upper School exams (A-Levels or IBDP) taken in Grade 12. The IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14-16 year olds. It is taken in more than 160 countries. More than 6000 schools worldwide and many of the top UK independent schools offer IGCSEs.
At TKHC, students take a combination of core subjects and optional subjects as follows:
[A] CORE: (compulsory subjects): Chinese, English, Mathematics
[B] SCIENCE: All Grade 9 students will start with IGCSE Combined Science in Term 1 of Grade 9 before deciding on the following options for the rest of the IGCSE programme (Grade 9 Term 2 and G10): Combined Science (Single Award), Combined Science (Double Award), or all three separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
[C] OPTIONS: Four elective subjects, at least one Humanities and at least one Arts/Technical subject subject.
Humanities subjects: Business, Economics, Geography, History
Arts/Technical subjects: Computer Science, ICT, Drama, Fine Arts, Music, PE
Other: English Literature, Additional Mathematics
Upper School (G11-G12): A-Level / IBDP* Programme
Students follow one of two programmes in Upper School, either A-Level or IBDP*.
A-Level and IBDP* are both very highly regarded, challenging academic programmes widely known and accepted by universities word-wide, so which programme students do is largely immaterial when it comes to university admissions. What matters is that students choose the most suitable programme for them as an individual.
A-Level or IBDP*?
Generally speaking, A-Levels are ideal for students that want to specialise in a small range of subjects and prefer to focus more on preparing for a specific area of study at university. Students typically study 3-4 subjects over two years with no restrictions on the combination of subjects they choose.
IBDP*, on the other hand, is a very broad and comprehensive programme that requires students to study a wide breadth of subjects with some fixed requirements and also to complete a set of core elements that require students to write two extensive essays (a Theory of Knowledge essay and an Extended Essay) and complete a series of non-academic activities (CAS). The IBDP programme is perfect for those that are all-rounders, strong not just academically but across a spectrum of different skills.
The academic and university counselling teams at TKHC will provide students and parents with consultation and recommendations as to which programme may be more suitable for each individual on a case-by-case basis based on future plans, preferred university destinations, learning style, academic strengths and weaknesses, and other relevant factors.
A-Levels
The GCE A-Level (Advanced Level qualifications) is a UK subject-based qualification for students aged 16 and above. The international version is called the International A-Level (IAL). Both are equally recognised by universities in the UK and worldwide.
Both international and non-international A-Levels are usually studied over two years, leading to qualifications recognised for entrance to higher education institutes in the UK and around the world. Most higher education institutes require a minimum of three subjects. There is no limitation on the combination of subjects that students choose to study for A-Level, though students should make sure their subjects are suitable for the university programmes they are interested in and that they meet any prerequisites that may be required.
A-Level subjects offered at TKHC: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Economics, Geography, Media Studies, Mathematics, Drama, Fine Art and Chinese
IBDP
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is a rigorous two-year curriculum to facilitate our students to meet the skills required to succeed in their university studies. The DP core comprises the Theory Of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). The DP Core aims to broaden students’ educational experience through reflecting the nature of knowledge, independent research, and community service. IBDP students study six subjects across six subject groups, three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).
The six subject groups and the subjects offered in TKHC are:
○ English A Language and Literature (HL/SL)
○ Chinese A Language and Literature (HL/SL)
○ English B Language Acquisition (HL/SL)
○ Chinese B Language Acquisition (HL/SL)
○ French/Spanish Ab Initio (SL Only)
○ Business Management (HL/SL)
○ Economics (HL/SL)
○ History (HL/SL)
○ Physics (HL/SL)
○ Chemistry (HL/SL)
○ Biology (HL/SL)
○ ESS (HL/SL)
○ Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (HL/SL)
○ Mathematics Applications and Interpretation (HL/SL)
○ Visual Arts (HL/SL)
