AIMS

The Cambridge IGCSE Art and Design syllabus encourages a range of skills, stimulates aesthetic awareness, knowledge and critical understanding or art, and provides opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills. Crucially, the course provides opportunities for learners to engage in a personal and independent study. The syllabus encourages learners to explore, through practical works as well as experience, new media and technologies alongside traditional media and processes. This course is an excellent precursor for IB Diploma Visual Art and aims to prepare learners for further study with the Art and Design field. 

COURSE OUTLINE

All learners will work towards two assessed areas. They will develop their coursework throughout their first year and for the first Semester of the second year. Learners will then have around two months to prepare for the timed ‘Externally Set Assignment’, which is the examination component, from January in their second year of the course.

AIMS

The over-arching aims of the drama syllabus are to:

• Develop candidates’ understanding of drama through practical and theoretical study 

• Enable candidates to understand the role of actor, director and designer in creating a piece of theatre 

• Develop candidates’ acting skills, both individually and in groups 

• Enable candidates to develop their skills in devising original drama 

• Help candidates communicate feelings and ideas to an audience 

• Foster understanding of the performance process and enable candidates to evaluate the various stages of that process 

• Encourage enjoyment of drama

COURSE OUTLINE

This course will enable learners to explore the different aspects of theatre making including performing, devising, directing and designing. It will also help to develop the learner’s creativity, confidence, communication and analytical skills through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding in Drama production. Learners will engage with a range of drama forms, styles and contexts and will learn to develop ideas for performance in response to a variety of stimulus material. Throughout the course learners will perform as part of an ensemble and as a solo performer.

The course provides an excellent foundation for the study of drama and theatre post 16.

AIMS

Learners studying Cambridge IGCSE Music are given the opportunity to:

• listen to and learn about music from a wide range of historical periods and major world cultures

• develop their skills in performing music, both individually and in a group with other musicians

• develop their skills in composing music in a style of their own choice

The aims of the syllabus are to:

• enable candidates to acquire and consolidate a range of basic musical skills, knowledge and understanding, through the activities of listening, performing and composing

• help candidates develop a perceptive and critical response to the main historical periods and styles of Western music

• help candidates to recognise and understand the music of selected non-Western traditions, and thus to 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.

PRIOR LEARNING

Learners beginning this course are expected to have some background in instrumental learning. Around two years minimum experience is recommended. Learners can focus on one or more instruments of their choice.

COURSE OUTLINE

Over the two years, learners will perform, compose and study a range of musical styles and cultures to prepare for the listening examination. The coursework will include learning appropriate musical terminology and theory to support listening and composing.

Learners taking IGCSE Music are expected to be a regular member of a Music ensemble at Nexus.

Learners taking this course are encouraged to have regular, ongoing instrumental tuition to support the performing component.

AIMS

Computer Science introduces to learners an appreciation and understanding of the technology that shapes the lives of billions of people every day. This course is an initial foray into the world of ones and zeros, RAM and ROM, Networks and NAND gates, demystifying the constant interaction between hardware and software that we all depend on. 

By the end of the course, learners will have learned to program with written code, apply the computational thinking process, understand the concepts that make Computer Systems and Networks function, and test and evaluate computing solutions. 

In addition, learners will take part in a facilitated process during which they are encouraged to develop their own learning strategies, specifically how to make the most of their strengths through technology for the benefit of this and other subjects. 

This course prepares learners for further study in Computer Science, and a career in any field or industry where technology has an influence. 

COURSE OUTLINE

The course content is split into two sections; Theory of Computer Science, and Practical Problem-solving and Programming. The final examinations are set roughly along the lines of the two sections, but occasionally with some application of Theory in Paper 2, and some Programming and Database theory in Paper 2. 

Theory of Computer Science

• Data representation and Data transmission

• Hardware and software

• The internet and its uses

• Automated and emerging technologies

Practical Problem-solving and Programming

• Algorithm design and problem-solving

• Programming

• Databases

• Boolean logic

AIMS

The study of business is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan, and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers. Business is influenced by and impacts on the cultural, ethical, environmental, political and economic conditions of the day. 

Successful Edexcel IGCSE Business learners will be able to:

• Understand different forms of business organisations, the environments in which businesses operate and business functions such as marketing, operations and finance 

• Appreciate the role of people in business success

They will also gain lifelong skills, including: 

• The ability to calculate and interpret business data; 

• Communication skills needed to support arguments with reasons; 

• The ability to analyse business situations and reach decisions or judgements.

COURSE OUTLINE

Topics studied include:

• Business Activity and Influences on Business

• People in Business

• Business Finance

• Marketing

• Business Operations

AIMS

Economics is a social science that studies how individuals, governments, firms and nations make choices on allocating scarce resources to satisfy their unlimited wants. 

Economics learners are given opportunities to:

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of economic terminology, principles and theories

• Develop their basic economic numeracy and literacy, as well as handle simple data, including graphs and diagrams

• Develop their ability to use the tools of economic analysis in particular situations

• Identify and discriminate between differing sources of information and distinguish between facts and value judgements in economic issues

• Develop their ability to use economic skills (with reference to individuals, groups and organisations) to understand better the world in which they live

• Develop their understanding of the economies of developed and developing nations and of the relationships between them; and develop their appreciation of these relationships from the perspective of both developed and developing nations.

COURSE OUTLINE

• The Market System (Microeconomics)

• Business Economics

• Government and the Economy (Macroeconomics)

• The Global Economy

All learners can benefit from a combined History/Economics/Business Studies field trip in Year 10. A field trip to Vietnam at the end of Year 10 provides an outstanding opportunity for learners to experience the concepts taught in lessons and all learners are encouraged to go on this trip.

AIMS

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Geography qualification requires learners to::

• Actively engage in the process of geographical enquiry to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers 

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of geographical concepts and appreciate the relevance of these concepts to our changing world  

• Appreciate the importance of the location of places and environments from a local to global scale and appreciate that people have different views of, and attitudes to, the world, its environments and its issues  

• Develop and apply practical geographical enquiry skills and undertake geographical investigations that include both primary and secondary data collection and presentation, analysis and drawing conclusions  

• Develop and apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork develop their awareness of global issues and recognise the need for a sustainable future. 

COURSE OUTLINE

The Geography course consists of the following topics:

• Coastal environments

• Hazardous environments

• Urban environments

• Economic activity and energy

• Globalisation and migration

As well as general thematic learning, learners also explore a range of perspectives through the use of case studies.

All learners have to complete two fieldwork investigations as part of the course. These will be carried out in Singapore and all learners will need to participate. 

AIMS

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in History qualification requires learners to:

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of selected periods and/or aspects of history, exploring the significance of historical events, people, changes and issues

• Use historical sources critically, in context, recording significant information and reaching conclusions

• Develop an awareness that different interpretations have been constructed about people, events and developments 

• Draw conclusions and make historical judgements

AIMS

The overarching aims of the Design & Technology syllabus are to:

develop creative thinking in areas relevant to design and technology;

apply problem-solving skills to practical and technological problems;

develop the communication skills central to design, realisation and evaluation;

gain knowledge and understanding of design and technology;

develop skills in research and investigation;

design and make products, taking into consideration sustainability and the wider impact on society;

develop the ability to make aesthetic, economic, ethical and technical value judgements.

AIMS

This course aims to provide candidates with an opportunity to study both the practical and theoretical aspects of Physical Education. It is designed to foster enjoyment in physical activity by providing learners with an opportunity to take part in a range of physical activities. By following the course, learners will be able to develop an understanding of effective and safe physical performance and to appreciate the need for a sound understanding of the principles, practices and training that underpin improved performance, as well as better health and well-being.

AIMS

Develop EAL proficiency in specialised classes so they succeed in the mainstream subject areas

Collaborative EAL learning activities with other learners and the EAL Specialist teacher

Develop academic study skills necessary for mainstream classes and assignment work

Support is given in and out of the mainstream classroom.

Develop strategies to successfully deal with a range of academic texts.

Practise and develop the use of subject-specific vocabulary needed for mainstream subjects.

IELTS Academic measures English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher learning environment.

It covers four skill areas; listening, reading, writing and speaking