Optional Subjects

Teachers will encourage students to develop their knowledge of and skills in a range of media, processes, and techniques. Students should demonstrate understanding of conveying a personal response through fine art, working to a theme, and considering artistic constraints and problems. They should also consider traditional, contemporary, and emerging techniques and approaches.

Students’ artwork should explore directly observed objects or subjects, or should relate to a theme, concept, or issue. Students can use sketchbooks and journals to record visual and/or other appropriate research to show clear evidence of the development of their ideas. They should display knowledge from other cultures, historical contexts, and local crafts, as well as familiarity with a broad range of fine artists that they can relate to their own studies. Candidates should also explore the use of tone, colour, and composition, materials, and context. Other materials including charcoal, pencil, pastels, acrylic, watercolour, collage, and ink can also be explored. (Cambridge International)

The art syllabus is not prescriptive, in the way that other factually-based subjects are. Instead, students may choose to pursue their own interests in terms of choice of medium and theme of study. Students are encouraged to be:

• Confident: experimenting with various materials and processes, improving technical skills to develop a personal artistic style.

• Responsible: taking charge of their own artistic development, with an independent approach to the creative process.

• Reflective: evaluating their artwork as they continually review and refine.

• Innovative: combining techniques and developing the skills to solve problems creatively.

• Engaged: enriching their work by exploring and researching different artists, movements, and concepts.

IGCSE Business Studies is a very practical course, designed to give students an understanding of the business world and how they might be a part of it.

The course lasts for two years and covers the following topics:

• Business and Its Environment: types of business activity, organisation of business, the business and economic environments.

• Business Structure, Organisation and Control: types of business ownership, financing business.

• People in Business Functional Department: marketing, operations management, financial information and decision-making.

• Regulation and Control of Business: reasons for regulation, other influences on business activity.

As well as acquiring knowledge about business and its role in the economy, students will develop useful skills such as analysis, enquiry, research, and presentation. Teaching methods will include classroom instruction, research tasks, and field trips.

Business Studies does not require advanced mathematical skills, but the ability to understand spoken and written English is of vital importance.

The knowledge and techniques gained in this subject will form an excellent base for a future career in business management, law, and other branches of commerce. The subject also provides a sound (though not essential) base for further studies in Business Studies, Economics, and Accounting at A Level.

Business Studies has considerable overlap in content with Economics, so they may not be studied together.

Computer Science enables learners to develop an interest in computing and to gain confidence in computational thinking and programming. They develop their understanding of the main principles of problem-solving using computers.

Learners apply their understanding to develop computer-based solutions to problems using algorithms in a high-level programming language. They also develop a range of technical skills, as well as the ability to test effectively and to evaluate computing solutions.

This qualification will help learners appreciate current and emerging computing technologies and the benefits of their use. It will help learners to succeed at the advanced level if they wish to pursue computer science in A Levels or university. Computer Science also provides learners with the underpinning knowledge required for many other subjects in science and engineering.

While much of the syllabus will be taught through practical application, including programming (Python or a similar high-level programming language), candidates should be aware that the final exam comprises two written papers.

Basic IT skills, an ability to analyse and solve real-world problems, critical and computational thinking skills, resilience, and a persistent attitude are prerequisites. No programming skills are required. Candidates should be prepared to work on extended practical projects outside the classroom to fine-tune their skills and advance their knowledge.

A broad interest in computers — how they work, how they are used in daily life, and recent trends in technology — will be a key component in student success in this course.

The AQA Drama course is a two-year course offering students opportunities to learn about Drama both practically and theoretically. It:

• Builds confidence and communication skills.

• Explores a range of creative roles such as directing, lighting, set design, costume, sound, and stage management.

• Develops teamwork and collaboration.

• Deepens understanding of literature and culture.

• Prepares students for a range of careers.

IGCSE Economics offers a fascinating insight into how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make choices about using limited resources. It helps students understand real-world economic issues, from everyday spending decisions to global trade policies.

The course runs over two years and covers the following major themes:

1. The Basic Economic Problem – Scarcity and the need for choice.

2. The Allocation of Resources – How markets work and the role of price.

3. Microeconomic Decision Makers – Consumers, workers, firms, and financial institutions.

4. Government and the Macroeconomy – Policies to manage the economy.

5. Economic Development – Why some countries grow and others don’t.

6. International Trade and Globalisation – The impact of a connected world.

Learning Approach
Economics at SCIE is taught through active, investigative methods that place students at the centre of their learning. Students explore current economic events, debate policy choices, analyse data, and present findings, all while building critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that are valued across all professions. There are also opportunities to take part in field trips, both locally and internationally, to witness economic concepts in action.

Where Can It Lead?
IGCSE Economics is a strong foundation for A-Level Economics and related social science courses. It is ideal preparation for careers in corporate banking, finance, law, international relations, public policy, business, media, and beyond. The subject also connects well with others such as Geography, Mathematics, Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy.

Please note: Due to overlapping content, students cannot take Economics and Business Studies together.

Geography is the study of the Earth and the physical and human processes that shape it.

IGCSE Geography aims to encourage students to develop a sense of place and an understanding of relative location on a local, regional, and global scale. It fosters awareness of the characteristics and distribution of contrasting physical and human environments.

The course does not simply require students to memorise facts; it also develops:

• An understanding of the processes affecting the development of such environments

• Awareness of the spatial effects of people’s interactions with each other and with their environment

• Understanding of different communities and cultures around the world

• Awareness of the contrasting opportunities and constraints presented by different environments

Syllabus Content
The syllabus covers the following topics:

• Population dynamics

• Settlement

• Plate tectonics

• Landforms and landscape processes

• Weather, climate, and natural vegetation

• Interrelationships between the natural environment and human activities

• Agricultural systems

• Industrial systems

• Leisure activities and tourism

• Energy and water resources, environmental risks, and benefits

• Resource conservation and management

Note: While advanced mathematical skills are not required, students should be comfortable with basic data interpretation and geographical skills. Proficiency in English is essential, as the subject involves extended written responses.

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives provides opportunities for enquiry into, and reflection on, key global issues from different perspectives: personal, local/national, and global. The course encourages awareness of global problems and offers a range of opportunities to explore solutions through cooperation and collaboration.

The course is not about getting everybody to think identically; rather, it opens minds to the complexity of the world and of human thought, and encourages empathy for the diversity of human experience and feeling. This is a fun and interesting course that relies on learning skills rather than memorising content from a textbook.

Topics Covered
Students will have the chance to study some of the following topics:

• Conflict and Peace

• Disease and Health

• Language and Communication

• Poverty and Inequality

• Sport and Recreation

• Tradition, Culture and Identity

• Biodiversity and the Ecosystem

• Changing Communities

• Digital World

• Humans and Other Species

• Sustainable Living

• Trade and Aid

• Demographic Change

• Education and Employment

• Fuel and Energy

• Law and Criminality

• Migration

Candidates who are awarded grades C to A* in Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives are well prepared to follow courses leading to Cambridge International AS and A Level, or the equivalent, in a wide variety of subjects, especially across the humanities and social sciences.

History is the study of past events of a particular period, country, or subject. Students studying the Cambridge IGCSE History syllabus (0470) at SCIE will gain a sound understanding of the main events in international relations during the 20th Century, and explore the social, economic, and political changes in Russia during the early 20th Century in depth.

Although learning information is essential to become a successful historian, the skills that students develop throughout G1 and G2 go far beyond simple memorisation. Students will practice explaining ideas in essay form and develop critical source analysis skills.

Core Content (G1)
The core content studied in G1 covers:

• The causes of the First World War and its consequences

• The extent to which the League of Nations was a success

• The causes of the Second World War

• The Cold War and the effectiveness of the USA’s attempt to contain the spread of Communism

• The extent of the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe from 1948–1989

• The reasons for the collapse of the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe

Depth Study (G2)
The depth study in G2 examines:

• The reasons for the failure of the Tsar’s regime in Russia and why Lenin and the Bolsheviks were able to seize power

• How Stalin rose to become leader of the Soviet Union, how he transformed the empire into an economic superpower, and the human cost of this transformation.

IGCSE French (0520)

Over 300 million people speak French in 88 countries across five continents. French is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world.

The ability to speak French is an advantage in the international job market. A knowledge of French opens the doors of French companies in France and around the world. As one of the world’s largest economies and a leading destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner.

French is also the international language of cooking, fashion, visual arts, and architecture. It offers direct access to great works of literature, music, and cinema. Speaking French opens up opportunities to study at renowned French universities and business schools, many of which rank among the world’s top higher education institutions.

Cambridge IGCSE French is designed for learners who are studying French as a foreign language. The aim is to develop the ability to use the language effectively for practical communication. The course is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing, building progressively as learners advance.

The syllabus also aims to offer insights into the culture and civilisation of countries where French is spoken, encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and appreciation of other cultures.

The course covers topics from five main areas of experience:

1. Everyday activities

2. Personal and social life

3. The world around us

4. The world of work

5. The international world

Ever thought about developing a new language skill? How are we influenced by the Japanese language in our everyday lives? How do people broaden their horizons and learn about a foreign culture by learning a new language?

The aims of the syllabus are the same for all candidates and describe the educational purposes of a course in a foreign language for the IGCSE examination. They are not listed in order of priority. The aims are to:

1. Develop the ability to use the language effectively for purposes of practical communication within the country of residence, where appropriate, and in all countries where the language is spoken.

2. Form a sound base of the skills, language, and attitudes required for further study, work, and leisure.

3. Offer insights into the culture and civilisation of countries where the language is spoken.

4. Encourage fuller integration into the local community, where relevant.

5. Develop a fuller awareness of the nature of language and language learning.

6. Encourage positive attitudes toward language learning and towards speakers of other languages, and a sympathetic approach to other cultures and civilisations.

7. Provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.

8. Complement other areas of study by encouraging skills of a more general application (e.g., analysis, memorising, drawing of inferences).

9. By studying Cambridge IGCSE Japanese, students broaden their global perspective and develop an enduring passion for learning.

Assessment
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

• Understand clear speech on a range of topics and descriptions and perspectives of events in the language.

• Understand and respond to written language.

• Communicate clearly and effectively in the language learned.

• Use vocabulary and language structures to write with reasonable accuracy.

Spanish is the world’s most spoken language after Mandarin Chinese and the second most used language in international communication after English. It is the mother tongue of approximately 426 million people and the official language in 21 countries, mainly in Central and South America.

Spanish is said to be one of the easiest languages to learn:

• Much of its vocabulary is similar to English

• Written Spanish is almost completely phonetic

• While mastering grammar can be challenging, basic grammar is straightforward enough for meaningful communication after only a few lessons

Course Overview
Cambridge IGCSE Spanish is designed for learners who are studying Spanish as a foreign language. The syllabus develops the ability to use the language effectively for practical communication through four linked language skills:

• Listening

• Reading

• Speaking

• Writing

The course also offers insights into the culture and civilisation of Spanish-speaking countries, encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and towards speakers of foreign languages.

Topics Covered
The syllabus covers five main areas of experience:

1. Everyday activities

2. Personal and social life

3. The world around us

4. The world of work

5. The international world

Ever thought about the vast influence of Western music in your everyday life? How did music originate and develop over the years? How can a person create an entire opera in 7 days?

Music at SCIE embodies the development of basic musical skills, knowledge, and understanding through the activities of listening, performing, and composing. The IGCSE Music syllabus is designed as a two-year course, starting at G1 level, for examination at age 16-plus.

Aims of the Program
The aims of the program are to:

• Help students develop a perceptive, sensitive, and critical response to the main historical periods and styles of Western music.

• Help candidates recognize and understand the music of various non-Western traditions, and thus form an appreciation of cultural similarities and differences.

• Provide a foundation for the development of an informed appreciation of music.

• Provide a foundation for further study in music at a higher level.

Candidates achieving grades B to A* are well prepared to follow courses leading to Level 3 qualifications such as GCE AS and A Level Music, AP Music, or the Cambridge International AS and A Level Music.

A preliminary assessment of students’ range of abilities will be made prior to enrolment in the IGCSE Music class. SCIE Music students at all levels benefit from a wide variety of topics, activities, field trips, solo and choral performance experiences, and mutual artistic development that accompany this comprehensive and insightful course of musical discovery.

Theory Component
The theory component is split into the following areas:

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Health, Fitness and Training

• Skill Acquisition and Psychology

• Social, Cultural and Ethical Influences

The assessment objectives for the written component are AO1 and AO2. The exam comprises a mixture of short and structured questions and is marked out of 100.

Practical Component
IGCSE PE is an examined course with two components:

1. Theory Paper – Component 1, marked out of 100

2. Practical Performance – Component 2, marked out of 100

Students are required to purchase two numbered IGCSE PE t-shirts, which must be worn when completing video evidence for component 2 physical activities.

For the practical assessment, students choose four sports and are assessed based on their levels of fitness, skill, and ability to apply those skills in competitive situations.

• The compulsory sport is weight training for fitness, with guided instruction.

• Students are actively encouraged to choose hill walking as one of their four sports.

• The remaining two sports can be chosen freely from other available options.

Recommended Course For Students Interested In:

• Physiotherapy

• Sports Psychology

• Sports Science

• Professional Sport

• Diet and Nutrition, Health and Well-being

• Business and Sports Management

• Language Development