1. Senior School IGCSE Options Process
Mel-  (10 mins)- 
Chris .( 5 mins)
Richard (7-8 mins)
Cheng ( 5 mins)
Jeff (7-8 mins)

2. Senior School Curriculum
Years 7 and 8 (Lower Senior School) – enhanced UK curriculum to suit our students and our context
Years 9 – 11 (Middle Senior School) – externally verified IGCSE/GCSE courses with some in-house core content
Years 12 and 13 (Upper Senior School) – IB Diploma Programme
MEL

3. Why take three years for the IGCSE?
Provides a more appropriate level of challenge for Year 9
Allows time for enrichment both within curriculum areas and beyond
Reduces stress levels caused by cramming content and not mastering the learning
Allows students the time to develop ‘Approaches to Learning’ needed for the IBDP
MEL

4. UK based qualifications recognised by educational institutions around the world
MEL

5. The Compulsory Curriculum
IGCSE CIE Mathematics
IGCSE Edexcel English Language
IGCSE CIE World Literature
IGCSE Edexcel Physics
IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry
IGCSE Edexcel Biology
PE/Global Skills/Wellbeing and Life Skills
MEL

6. What is Global Skills?
One lesson per week, in order to support our students to: •Develop important life/study skills such as critical thinking, time management, research and evaluation. •Become more aware of a range of global themes and issues of personal interest/relevance. •Be prepared for the challenges of the IBDP through introductory experiences of the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

7. Mathematics : Years 9, 10 and 11 - Pathways
CSA
Pathway 3

8. Our Mandarin Curriculum ensures students are on the right pathway, studying Mandarin to the right level and towards the right final examinations.
Mandarin Pathways Year1-9
Year 9-11
iGCSE/GCSE
Public Examinations
Year 12-13
IBDP
Public Examinations
CNL: Chinese as a Native Language
First Language
IBDP A
Language and Literature
Or literature
MSL: Mandarin as a Second Language
Second Language
IBDP B
Higher level
Foreign Language
IBDP B
Standard level
MFL: Mandarin as a Foreign Language
CWU
Presentation notes:
At DCI, students are assessed and placed into pathways according to their level and ability.
For children whose mother tongue is Chinese, students will be in the CNL pathway. This would take them to a First Language GCSE and then IBDP A when they leave school. IBDP A involves in depth literature study and is a very challenging examination. At DCI two out of three students that took this exam in 2018 scored top marks at IBDP (6-7 points)
For those who are fluent in speaking, either because one parent is native, or they have lived in China for an extended period, they can take MSL. This would see them taking second language iGCSE and Higher level IBDP B.
For those new to China and learning Mandarin as a new language, they would be on course for a foreign language iGCSE or GCSE, similar to any of you that studies French/Italian at school. They could then take the ab initio or IBDP B standard examination.
Every term, teachers will assess students to ensure they are in the right pathway, and students can be moved up or down the pathways to ensure the learning is manageable but also challenging and will give the best qualification they can achieve.
GCSE
IBDP Ab initio
Students will be regularly assessed by their teachers to ensure they are in the right pathway for their ability

9. Year 8- IGCSE Options Process
EVENT
PURPOSE
Tutor time- introduction to Options for students
 Head of Year will visit each tutor group and give a short  presentation outlining the whole process
Options Market Stall: Introduction in MPR- Students/ Parents
(Tues, Dec 4th 4 -6pm)
Curriculum Leaders to raise awareness on what each course entails
Year 8 Assembly
(Weds Dec 5th, am)
Student Perspective on course content/ learning experience in Option Subjects from Year 11 Subject Ambassadors
RLE

10. Year 8- IGCSE Options Process
EVENT
PURPOSE
Year 8 PTSC
(Jan 15th 4-8pm)
Feedback on Student Performance. Parents can ask further questions on Option Subjects.
Provisional Options form completed on Firefly
(Jan 16th- 31st)
This census allows the College to tailor our Options Blocks to fit as many students as possible
1 - 1 meeting between student and Senior School Staff
(February)
Every student will meet a Pastoral Leader to discuss and ensure the choices made best suit the student
Final Options block released 
(Feb 28th)
Final choices can be made according the Options Blocks
Deadline for final submission on Firefly
(March 22nd)
Students complete final form to confirm the subjects they have chosen
RLE

11. The Options Pathways Choose four subjects
Option blocks are created every year depending on students' choices
RLE

12. New Option Subjects Business Studies Food and Nutrition Dance
Film Studies
JAI

13. Curriculum Areas to Consider
Art, Drama, Music, Dance
Humanities: Geography, History, Economics, Business Studies
MFL: French, Chinese, Spanish, German
GCSE PE
Design and Technology, Food and Nutrition Computer Science, Film Studies
We do recommend all students choose a language- particularly as a language is compulsory in the IB Dip later on-

14. Factors to consider in choosing your option subjects?
Your enjoyment and personal interest in the subject itself   
     (Not based on who is your favourite teacher) 
Your performance in Year 7 and 8
How that subject is assessed (examinations or coursework)? 
Ask for your teachers’ advice on which subjects will play to your strengths
Try to maintain a breadth of study across the Languages, Creative subjects and Humanities
JAI