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Teaching and
Learning in Key Stages 3 and 4 |
 Ascot
International School offers a broad and balanced curriculum
at Key Stage 3 that closely follows the National Curriculum
for England. English and Mathematics are taught following the
National Curriculum Key Stage 3 Literacy and Numeracy Hours.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum builds on the children’s prior
learning throughout Key Stage 2 and our curriculum ensures continuity
and progression throughout all subject areas.
Subjects are taught by teachers who are specialists in the areas
of Mathematics, English, Sciences, Humanities, Language and
the Arts.
Ascot International School campus has a purpose built Secondary
School block which has the benefits of new classrooms and resources
including ICT facilities for all students. All classrooms have
the latest teaching resources direct from the UK and are all
equipped with computer projectors to enhance the learning experience.
The Secondary Department also benefits from a fully equipped
Science Laboratory to support scientific investigations.
Students in Year 9 sit the UK National Curriculum Tests (NCTs)
which form a basis for choosing subject options for IGCSE courses
at Key Stage 4. Following the results of the Year 9 NCTs, children
are supported in choosing a Key Stage 4 programme that is tailored
to their individual strengths and abilities as well as their
future course of study. The students then follow a set two-year
course of study in a range of subjects that leads to IGCSE examinations
and qualifications.
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Language
and Literacy throughout the Curriculum at Key Stages 3
and 4 |
At Ascot International School, students are encouraged to develop
their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and to
spell correctly and use subject-specific vocabulary in every
subject area and learning situation. This strategy underpins
the development of a rich command of the English language and
offers support to those for whom English is not a native tongue.
Development of these key language skills is thus achieved irrespective
of the subject being taught or the teacher delivering the lesson.
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The
Curriculum at Key Stage 3 |
• English
 At
Ascot International School we follow areas of study that incorporate
opportunities for further developing reading and writing skills
alongside those for developing speaking and listening. Our students
are encouraged to be critical of texts and styles so that they
are aware of the different text types and registers of the English
language. We study a range of texts as specified by the Key
Stage 3 National Curriculum, including modern novels from a
range of cultures, Shakespeare plays, classic poetry, pre-20th
century literature and media texts. The students become proficient
in recognising the different genres of literature and in adapting
them to their own writing needs.
• Mathematics
The study of Mathematics at Ascot International School provides
the students with a sound education not only in pure calculation
but in the practical application of mathematical concepts and
problem solving. The students are encouraged to use a range
of problem-solving strategies and to use mental calculation
techniques to supplement the traditional written techniques.
• Drama
This wide-ranging subject covers all aspects of performance
arts including stagecraft, movement and dance. Using an extensive
range of source materials, from Shakespeare to contemporary
playwrights, the students learn the basics of performance –
script-writing, staging, costume and make-up and constructive
criticism. The overall aim of the course is to develop a degree
of artistic awareness and improve self-confidence in front of
an audience.
• ICT
 The
students are exposed to a broad range of ICT skills. These include
desktop publishing, web design, use of digital media, video,
audio and graphic editing. The course of study is designed to
reflect current trends in ICT in the world outside the education
arena and will prepare students for IGCSE examinations.
• Science
Science at KS3 involves the development of observational, investigational
and communication skills using scientific knowledge. It builds
upon the previous knowledge the students bring from Key Stage
Two and encourages independent study and research. A number
of units of study are taught, offering a comprehensive understanding
of the three main scientific branches of Physics, Chemistry
and Biology.
• History
During the course of Key Stage 3 the students study a series
of units of study covering key aspects of British and World
History. We relate all of the historical work covered to events
in Thailand and other areas of South East Asia by drawing comparisons.
This also maximises the potential for using sites of interest
in Thailand for fieldwork exercises.
• Geography
Wherever possible, the topics of study for Geography are related
to the opportunities for study offered by Thailand itself. General
themes such as erosion, rivers and man’s influence upon
the environment are studied with an emphasis on the local Thai
environment. In addition, the students study contrasting ecosystems
such as rainforest (Amazonia) and cold desert (the Polar Regions).
Students learn map and atlas skills and study a number of countries
in detail enabling them to broaden their knowledge of the political,
economic and physical structure of the world in which they live.
Modern Foreign Languages
The students at Ascot International School are taught by specialist
teachers following a syllabus that leads to IGCSE examinations
in Mandarin and Thai. We will also offer the opportunity for
native speakers of other languages to work towards IGCSE in
their ‘mother-tongue’.
• Music
This course of study enables all the students to achieve an
understanding of all the elements in the music curriculum: composition,
performance, aural skills, improvisation and the history of
music. The study of Music Technology is also an integral part
of general music studies in KS3 at Ascot International School.
Private lessons on a one to one basis are available for a wide
range of instruments including violin, piano, guitar, woodwind
and drums.
• Physical Education
The students experience a wide range of activities which are
intended to build up their physical stamina and their skill-levels.
They follow a programme that includes football, rugby, basketball,
badminton, hockey, table tennis and athletics. This provides
them with a well-rounded and thorough preparation for a range
of team and individual activities. Swimming tuition is also
provided and coaching is available for more able students.
• Art
The students follow a wide-ranging programme of study that builds
upon the skills they have been developing in Art through the
primary phase. This includes observational drawing, composition,
colouring and shading techniques, as well as elements of sculpture.
Children are taught aspects of art history from a range of cultures
and are also learn how to evaluate their own work and that of
others.
• Design Technology
Using a range of media, the students learn how to identify a
design need, produce designs, manufacture a product, evaluate
the end product and modify their work to make further improvements.
Food Technology also falls within the scope of this broad-ranging
subject.
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
We approach almost all of the content of this subject through
cross-curricular links with other subjects, drawing the students’
attention to the need for personal responsibility and social
conscience. This subject has been raised in status in recent
years by desire to develop children into good citizens. Accordingly,
we encourage the students to consider and discuss their own
behaviour and attitudes and those of other people. We believe
that the cross-curricular nature of this subject reinforces
the all-pervading need for respect for self and others.
• Thai Language and Culture
As an international school in Thailand, Ascot provides all children
with the opportunity to learn more about Thailand, its language
and culture. Work in Key Stage 3 continues to build on the children’s
studies throughout Key Stage 2. For children for whom Thai is
their native language, the programme of study builds towards
the possibility of taking an IGCSE in Thai Language.
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The
Curriculum at Key Stage 4 |
At Ascot International School the students in Key Stage 4 (Year
10 and Year 11) follow a broad curriculum that covers subjects
from a variety of areas: Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences,
Mathematics, Creative, Technical and Vocational.
Our programme prepares students for the Cambridge International
General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). This is
an international qualification typically taken by 16 year olds
that prepares students for further study at A Level, AS Level
and International Baccalaureate (IB). IGCSE is recognised by
academic institutions and employers around the world. It is
equivalent to the UK GCSE and is recognized as such by UCAS,
the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service for British
Universities.
IGCSE is suitable for children of different ability levels as
it provides a choice of Core and Extended papers in most subjects.
The IGCSE also allows teaching to be placed in a more localised
context, making it relevant to different regions and cultures.
It is intended to be suitable for students whose first language
may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination
process. IGCSEs are taken annually by children in over 120 countries,
including the UK.,
The subjects available for study to IGCSE level at Ascot International
School include:
English
English Literature
Mathematics
Science (Double Award)
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Geography
History
Modern Foreign Language (Mandarin)
Art
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Design and Technology (DT)
Drama
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| Ramkhamhaeng 118, Saparnsung, Bangkok 10240 Tel: 02-3734400, Fax:02-3737800, info@ascot.ac.th |
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