Inspiring Students to become responsible Global Citizens
YOUR UPPER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
West Island School, Hong Kong 2012-13
Pathways
2
International
Diploma
IB Diploma
WIS
UPPER
SCHOOL
CURRICULUM
Our common goal
3
“WIS has a commitment to
provide an appropriate
education for all our
students regardless of their
ability range and preferred
learning style.”
International Diploma
@ West Island School
• 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
Options
• 1 or 2 IB SL
Certificates that
complement your
BTEC Major (e.g.
English,
Languages,
Design
Technology, Film
Studies, Physics
or Maths)
International Diploma Pathway
5
Career Related
International
Diploma
pathways are
designed for a
different set of
preferred
Learning Styles
Specific
Subject focus
Few end of course
examinations
Formative
Assessment
Applied
Learning
Work
Experience
Applied
progression to
Further
Education or
Higher
Education
International Diploma Pathway
6
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
7
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
International Diploma PathwayMajor Subject Focus
8
Business
Major Subject
Focus
Choose one
Sport
Engineering
Art &
Design
Performing
Arts
International Diploma PathwayMinor Subject Focus
9
Business
Minor Subject
Focus
Choose one
Sport
Engineering
Art &
Design
Performing
Arts
International Diploma Pathway10
What is BTEC?
Applied practical
learning
Formative
Assessment
Valued for clear
vocational pathways
• 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
BTEC Business- Major or Minor
11
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
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
BTEC Engineering- Major or Minor
12
The BTEC 3 Diploma in
Engineering is a fulltime two-year course
leading to the
following branches of
Engineering:
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
•Aerospace
Engineering
•Chemical
Engineering
•Civil Engineering
•Electrical Engineering
•Mechanical
Engineering
•Develop your skills and
knowledge on Engineering
Materials and Processes,
Engineering Drawing,
Mathematics, Welding,
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
and Computer Aided
Manufacture (CAM).
BTEC Art & Design- Major or Minor
13
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.
BTEC Sports & Exercise SciencesMajor & Minor
14
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.
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.
BTEC Performing Arts -
Major & Minor
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
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.
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 10-11 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 6
Creative
Arts
Group 5
Maths
Group 1
Language A
Group 2
Language B
Creativity,
Extended
Theory of Ab initio
Group 3
Action,
Knowledge
Essay Individuals
Service
Group 4 & Societies
Experimental
Sciences
IB
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 nonfiction 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 nonperformance 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 + 1 10 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
For further enquiries
www.wis.edu.hk
[email protected]
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