Key Stage 4 - Years 10 & 11

Key Stage 4 students at IISM follow Cambridge IGCSE and O Level syllabi. These courses and their associated final examinations are internationally recognised as one of the best measures of academic progress for students aged 16 years.

IGCSEs are two-year courses with examinations taken during the months of May and June of the second year, although for some subjects a coursework component exists.

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The subjects we offer at IGCSE/O Level are:

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Compulsory

• English Language [IGCSE]

• English Literature [IGCSE]

• Mathematics [IGCSE]

• Coordinated Science [IGCSE] - equivalent to 2 IGCSEs

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Optional

• Art & Design [IGCSE]

• Business Studies [IGCSE]

• Drama [IGCSE]

• Economics [IGCSE]

• French [IGCSE]

• Geography [IGCSE]

• History [IGCSE]

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) [IGCSE]

• Kiswahili [O Level]

• Physical Education [IGCSE]

All KS 4 students will also have 3 periods of Physical Education (Games and Fitness, swimming), and 1 period of Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) per week.

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For further information, please read our IGCSE Options Brochure here.

You can also find syllabus information on the Cambridge Assessment International Education website.  

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Key Stage 5 - Sixth Form - Years 12 & 13

Starting in the IISM Sixth Form, students take a selection of Cambridge A Level courses, in addition to other school run projects and programmes.

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Course Structure

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In Year 12, students choose 4 subjects at AS level. In Year 13, students can then opt to drop one subject and take the remaining three subjects to the A2 level. Ultimately students should achieve three A levels and one AS. Each subject is allocated 5 hours instruction a week in six 50 minute periods.

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AS/A-level courses are available in a broad range of disciplines. The subjects offered are carefully considered to reflect the changing views and requirements from universities and so ensure students have a breadth of study at this level. However, the courses are also subject to availability, based on numbers of students choosing them.

Subjects offered at IISM are:

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• Applied Information Technology

• Art & Design

• Biology

• Business Studies

• Chemistry

• Economics

• English Literature

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• French

• Geography

• History

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Psychology

• Spanish

International Award

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In addition to the 4 subjects selected, students are expected to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s

International Award. Students participate in activities which cover 3 main areas: Fitness, Skill or Volunteering. At Isamilo, we expect students to achieve the “Right Balance”. Keeping fit, mentally and physically, is crucial to examination success. For the skills section, students can learn something new such as playing the guitar. Our students are involved in their local community through teaching at our outreach programme, Saturday School, or by organising birthday parties at a local orphanage, Forever Angels.

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Physical Education

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All 6th form students are expected to take part in one double P.E. lesson per week. During these sessions students can pick a range of sports to take part in including swimming, football, basketball, badminton and tennis.

Creativity, Action and Service

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All Isamilo Sixth Form students are expected to complete a CAS folder. We believe that CAS plays a very important part in our students’ education because it focuses less on academia and more on personal growth in the areas of Creativity, Action and Service. It provides students with the opportunity to use their skills to the benefit of the school and the wider community. Students decide on their own CAS activities, which can range from climbing a mountain to indoor activities for the Action section. Creativity tasks have included acting in plays, organising talent shows and writing poetry. The Service section has included coaching swimming, music lessons, assisting the teaching of primary school children and teaching in Saturday school. CAS is fundamental to successful university applications as it showcases the extracurricular activities that students have been involved in. CAS sets our students apart from other candidates that are only studying A Levels.

Work Experience and Personal Research Project

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In the summer break between Year 12 and Year 13, students are expected to gain work experience over a two-week period. In the past, students have worked in hotels, in the theatre, on the Stock Exchange, in family businesses and other companies. They also have to complete a 2500-word research project where they identify a question, collect primary and secondary data which they analyse in order to answer the question. Upon return to school, students have to justify their question, research methods and conclusions in a viva voce interview.

Pastoral Support

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All our students work with a Sixth Form tutor for their pastoral support. Through their tutor programme they examine issues such as substance abuse, mental health awareness, target setting and thinking skills. They also begin preparations for moving away from home by learning about budgeting and the importance of a healthy diet. Allocated time for tutor is also used to support students in the university application process such as choosing an institution and writing a personal statement. There is also an annual team-building and service trip to either Ukerewe Island or JBFC at Magu.

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For further information, please read our Sixth Form Brochure here.

You can also find syllabus information on the Cambridge Assessment International Education website.  

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