Middle Division

Who We Are

The Middle Division comprises Year 3 and Year 4 students, aged between 14 and 16 years old. The majority of our students progress through the Junior Division. However, there are many students from both Singapore and overseas who commence their time at our school in Year 3 Mainstream. These students commence the two-year International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) upon entry.

The focus of the Middle Division is to prepare students to grow academically by providing them with a challenging curriculum that helps them prepare for their IBDP studies in the Senior Division. We take a holistic approach to develop them into young adults. Students are exposed to a range of activities that build their confidence and help them grow and flourish through these important years.

The Middle Division is an exciting place to be and provides students with a healthy and supportive environment that allows them to grow and flourish through these important years.

Curriculum

Students start the IGCSE in Year 3 Mainstream. The two-year programme leads to externally set, marked and certificated examinations from Cambridge Assessment. It is a unique no-gap programme provided to thousands of schools around the world.

IGCSEs are known for developing vital educational knowledge, understanding and skills. They are established qualifications that keep pace with educational developments and trends and so provide an ideal preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in the Senior Division. Recognised throughout the world by academic institutes and employers, the IGCSEs are a mark of quality and evidence of real ability. IGCSE is taken in over 100 countries by an annual candidate entry of more than 250,000. Grade C in IGCSE English (either First Language or Additional Language) satisfies the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other Anglophone countries.

All students in Year 3 and Year 4 follow an eight- or nine-subject programme for two years before sitting for the final IGCSE examinations. Students follow a core curriculum of Mathematics, English Language or English as a Second Language, one Science, one Humanities, their Mother Tongue or Foreign Language (as per the School Language Policy) and Physical Education (PE).

Students who take English as a Second Language choose two additional subjects while those who take English as a First Language choose three more.

The English course that the students take will be determined by the outcome of their end-of-year Year 2 examination. The Second Language that they take will remain the same as their Year 2 choice. For Pre IGCSE students, they choose a Second Language from Beginner (Mandarin) Chinese or First Language (IGCSE) Chinese.

Singaporean and Singapore PR students follow the MOE MTL framework. All other students are required to study a foreign language, including local students who are exempted from MTL.

With the exception for language classes, all instructions and class content are delivered in English.

The one-year Foundation IB (FIB) course aims at preparing English-speaking students who have not been undertaking the IGCSE. Students complete the equivalent standard of work that Mainstream students are completing. The FIB course prepares these students for transition into the Senior Division, enabling students who migrate from a northern hemisphere school calendar to successfully enter the southern hemisphere school calendar.

For students who are still developing and acquiring their English language skills, the Pre IB course, similar to the FIB course, provides additional English classes that set the foundation for the students to complete their IBDP in the Senior Division.

To understand more about the IGCSEs and the details about the curriculum please follow the links below:

2024 Term 3 Assessment Dates (Middle Division)

 

Cambridge IGCSE

IGCSE Presentation 2023

ACS (International) IGCSE Programme Overview

Year 3 IGCSE Subject Information Booklet

2025 Year 3 Subject Options

Year 3 IGCSE Subject Options

Recording of Parent Information Session 2024

 

Year 4 Foundation International Baccalaureate (FIB) Programme Overview

Year 4 Foundation International Baccalaureate (FIB) Syllabus Information

 

Year 4 Pre-International Baccalaureate (Pre-IB) Programme Overview

Year 4 Pre-International Baccalaureate (PIB) Syllabus Information

 

Year 4 IB Information (AEP)

Subjects Offered

• English Language
• English Language as a Second Language
• Mother Tongue or Foreign Language* (Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Spanish)
• Mathematics*
• History/Geography/Economics/Business Studies*
• Biology/Chemistry/Physics*
• English Literature
• Global Perspectives
• Additional Mathematics
• Art
• Drama
• Music
• IGCSE PE

* compulsory subjects

Activities

Year 3 students participate in an overseas camp that provides them with an opportunity to participate in adventurous activities that are not easily available in Singapore. Popular destinations for these camps are Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Students learn how to prepare and live in a campsite while trekking through rainforests. They may also engage with white water rafting, providing an experience that many of the students will never forget.

Other activities that have been conducted include caving, abseiling and mountain biking. Providing students with these activities helps them bond with one another, develop new friendships and push themselves out of their comfort zone as they try new and exciting activities.