The curriculum in the Upper School Department of The English School Fahaheel is designed to provide a balanced, broad and rich education as preparation for university courses within the Middle East and further afield. A strong team of proven specialist teachers contribute much to the academic and all-round education of Upper School students.
Pupils entering the Upper School study a wide range of subjects in the IGCSE programme. This programme, offered through both the Edexcel and Cambridge International board depending on the subject, provide rigorous and highly respected qualifications, through a programme of study that gives a solid foundation knowledge while improving pupils’ critical thinking skills. Some of the features of these programmes are:
The Upper School Department of The English School Fahaheel is committed to providing a qualitative teaching and learning environment to enable the needs and expectations of both students and parents to be matched with the criteria for success in external examinations.
In Years 7-9, students study a wide range of subjects based on the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum. These subjects include:
In addition to these subjects, The Ministry of Education in Kuwait also requires all Muslims to study Islam and all Arabs to study Arabic.
IGCSE is a balanced international curriculum which is designed to encourage high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning. These IGCSE’s are equivalent in standard to the British GCSE examinations.
The curriculum is suitable for students of all nationalities and all levels of ability. It provides an ideal preparation for Higher Level courses such as:
The IGCSE system is used by schools in over 145 countries throughout the world and has been recognised as a qualification for matriculation purposes by universities in the United Kingdom and in many other countries.
IGCSE covers a broad range of subjects with syllabi which are regularly reviewed to meet the needs of schools throughout the world. ESF maintains such an ongoing review on behalf of all our students.
IGCSE examinations lead to the award of one of nine grades (9-1) in each subject. The highest grade is 9, which matches 9 in British GCSE examinations. Grade 4 is equivalent to a former C grade (a standard pass).
IGCSE certificates list the results in all subjects in which the candidate has gained a Grade 1 or better. Candidates who fail to achieve the minimum satisfactory standard of work in a subject will not be given a grade in that subject (a U).
IGCSE Examinations
The majority of IGCSE examinations are conducted through the Edexcel examinations board whilst a smaller number are conducted by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) in order to offer students a comprehensive choice of subjects to be examined upon. The examinations consist of a variety of tests and are not limited to conventional written papers.
Examination in all subjects may include projects, oral or practical work. The English School Fahaheel is fully recognised by both the Pearsons Edexcel and Cambridge examinations board as accredited centres to teach, internally assess and present students oral and written work for examination at IGCSE and ‘A’ levels.
The examination strategy for IGCSE and ‘A’ Level subjects at The English School Fahaheel is designed to be flexible. It is structured to meet the needs of all students and provides the entry requirements for Further Education courses throughout the world.
Between Years 9 – 11 students study up to 10 IGCSE subjects in a two-year programme of study. Four of these subjects are compulsory (English, Maths, Arabic/Environmental Management and Islamic/Global Perspectives) whilst 6 are chosen as options at the end of Year 9.
Subjects offered at IGCSE level through Edexcel currently include:
Subjects offered at IGCSE level through the Cambridge exam board currently include:
The majority of students normally sit their IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11 after a two year period of study. However; students do have the opportunity to sit certain IGCSE subjects in an earlier exam session if they demonstrate that they are ready to do so.
Sixth Form Centre
The purpose-built 6th Sixth Form Centre at The English School Fahaheel allows Years 12 and 13 students a space in which they can gradually adapt to the more self-lead style of learning that they will require at university. The centre comprises a Common Room, a study Centre, a kitchen, offices and dedicated bathrooms.
The ESF Sixth Form Centre allows students to take control of their own learning environment within the supportive context of the school. This enhances students’ understanding and use of good time management which will help them to succeed at University.
The Sixth Form has a different uniform and a separate set of rules to the rest of the Upper School. Not only do ESF Sixth Form students do well academically they also raise money for charity, give up their own time to work with younger students and take on responsibilities as School Prefects.
Alongside these roles there is also the opportunity for Sixth Form students to complete voluntary work in medical or animal centres. This voluntary work is considered by many universities when the students apply. These young people are future professionals, leaders “A” Level Curriculum.
AS level subjects are offered in Year 12 on the completion of satisfactory IGCSEs. In those subjects that can be taken at IGCSE a grade 4 is the minimum requirement to advance onto the AS course. In the case of subjects with no IGCSE other entry requirements may need to be met (for Psychology an IGCSE in Mathematics at grade 4 is required).
Students at ESF Sixth Form usually require AS levels, IGCSE resits or a combination of the two.
Students can take one of the following pathways:
Most Universities in the UK and some Canadian Universities require A2 examination for entry into their first year of undergraduate study, however, some Canadian Universities will accept four AS level examinations in place of the two A2 examinations. The USA requires grade 12 to have been completed along with satisfactory scores in the SAT I and TOFEL examinations. Students may progress into UK
Universities after year 12 if they complete an accepted foundation year. For the Kuwait Scholarship the requirement is two AS level examinations and six IGCSEs.
Universities in other countries have varied entrance requirement and is advisable for the student to research these universities at the beginning of Year 12 to enable them to set themselves correct requirement targets.
The minimum grade required to apply for the medicine scholarship is normally an A but the actual percentage required to be accepted onto the medicine scholarship programme may vary year to year.