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Academics
A Level Subjects
Overview
A Levels follow a prescribed curriculum administered by examination boards in England. At Rugby School, as with IGCSE, we use three examination boards to administer our examinations: Cambridge, Oxford AQA and Edexcel. Although we prioritise examination results, we structure our courses around learning rather than assessment.
Each A Level course lasts two years and involves written examinations by external parties. The majority of A Level courses are split into two parts: AS in the LXX and A2 in the XX. Both parts involve examinations, and the results of these are combined to give the full A Level qualification. A small number of courses are ‘terminal’, which means all examinations occur at the end of the XX. However, these courses also have a separate one-year AS option. The practical A Level subject courses include coursework that will be completed in school and internally assessed, but externally moderated.
The Rugby School LXX and XX curriculum helps our children to specialise in their chosen subjects. Therefore, there is no obligatory ‘core’ subject.
We expect most children to take four A Levels in the LXX. Some may choose five subjects in order to enjoy a wider breadth of study — for example, some children take Further Mathematics as well as Mathematics. However, we only allow such choices after thorough discussion to ensure our children are able to manage the high workload and maintain a balance in other areas of life outside of the classroom.
Entry requirements
A Levels are highly academic and significantly more challenging than IGCSEs. For this reason, children who wish to enrol in A Level courses must meet the following entry criteria for IGCSE*:
- A minimum of 5 A*/9 to C/5 grades
- Bs/6s in subjects related to chosen A Level courses
- A strong commitment to learning
A Level Subjects
Our Art and Design classes help our young persons develop an independent, creative approach to problem-solving and self-expression, as well as critical reflexion on their own work and those of others.
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Throughout the course, our students will experiment with a range of processes and media in workshops and enjoy trips to galleries. These help them build the creative and technical skills they need to complete the two projects required.
The course helps our students understand the tentative nature of science, apply scientific knowledge in everyday contexts and develop practical, mathematical and analytical skills.
The course comprises four sections and five examination papers.
Rugby School Thailand’s Business classes help our students understand and apply a holistic, practical understanding of business in real-life situations. With a multitude of skills, including numeracy, communication, research methodology and interpretation, interested students can also advance into further business studies with ease.
Our Business classes cover Marketing and People, Business Management, Business Decision and Strategy and Global Business, as well as two examination papers.
The course helps our students understand and apply the foundation of chemistry in everyday contexts, as well as advance practical mathematical and analytical skills.
The course comprises four sections and five examination papers.
The course advances the understanding of our pupils about the component parts of computer systems, and how they function and interrelate. Our young adults will build the problem-solving and technical skills necessary to thriving in our technology-driven world.
The course includes two examination papers.
With our purpose-built learning area, innovative resources and specialist instructors, our A Level students will learn to create products and solutions that make lives better. Product analysis, model making, Advanced CAD skills, mathematical engineering design concepts and other advanced industrial design skills are part of the course.
The course comprises both written examination and coursework.
Through both theory lessons and practical exercises, our students will develop and apply an analytical framework for creating drama and theatre, both published text-based and devised work. They’ll be familiar with relevant theoretical research, as well as how the social, cultural and historical contexts of performance texts have influenced the development of the art field.
The assessments comprise both written examinations and coursework.
With a proven curriculum, our students will learn practical knowledge of economics, including resource allocation, price system, macro and micro economy, government intervention and more. They’ll use statistics and diagrams, and develop the critical and analytical thinking vital to succeeding in future study and beyond.
Students will have to complete both multiple-choice and essay examinations.
The Cambridge International AS and A Level in English Literature introduce our students to wider reading and helps them apply the understanding of literature to their personal growth. Our classes also build the independent skills of reading, analysis and communication through both pre-20th-century and contemporary poetry, drama and texts.
The course comprises four written examinations.
Our French department aims to instil in our students both effective language skills and the cultural understanding of the French-speaking world. Through literary texts and films, the classes focus on modern world issues such as law and order, medical advances, environmental issues, popular culture and politics.
The assessments will measure all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Our Geography classes help our students understand the correlation between science and humanities. They’ll learn about the causes and effects of environmental changes and the role of geographical analysis in easing contemporary human and environmental problems. Most importantly, our young persons will know how to evaluate different types of information and present logical, ordered and coherent arguments.
The course includes four written examinations.
Our history classes aim to instil an understanding and appreciation of both history and social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Through broad and balanced content, our students will connect and draw comparisons across different periods and geopolitical locations of the past. They’ll improve their research, analytical and communication skills, using various historical concepts and practices.
The course comprises four written examinations.
The course balances a thorough understanding of language as well as cultural aspects, preparing our students for their future careers. We’ll address a broad range of current social issues and trends, as well as study the political and artistic culture of the Chinese-speaking world through media, film and literature. Students enrolling in the course should have previously completed an IGCSE/GCSE course or equivalent in Chinese to a very high standard.
The assessments will measure all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
The courses help our students extend their range of mathematical skills and apply them in more complex problems, with Further Maths classes serving as an excellent university preparation for pupils who are pursuing maths, science and engineering degrees.
Each course requires six examinations.
Through listening, composing and performing, our classes aim to deepen the understanding of music in a wider cultural context, as well as enable a critical, independent response to music genres and traditions around the world. Our students will improve their composing and performing through practical theory sessions and coursework.
The course comprises four examinations.
As an integral part of our ‘Whole person. Whole point’ ethos, our PE classes cover decision-making, psychological understanding of people, independent thinking and problem solving, as well as thinking and reacting under pressure. The course content includes applied anatomy and physiology as well as the development of movement skills.
The course comprises both written examinations and coursework.
Aiming to develop scientifically literate citizens, the content of Rugby School Thailand’s Physics course ranges from mechanics and electricity to energy and radioactivity. Our students will deepen their understanding of the subject and learn to apply the knowledge in everyday situations.
The course includes five examination papers.
Following a topic-based approach to engage students from diverse backgrounds, our classes explore both psychological theories and their practical applications in a global context. Our pupils will learn about different areas of the field and how they relate to each other, as well as the role of Psychology in improving lives and solving contemporary issues.
The course consists of four written examinations.
Through literary texts and films, the course helps our students deepen their understanding of the Spanish language, while also broadening their cultural awareness of the many Spanish-speaking countries. The core topics include modern world issues such as law and order, medical advances and ethics, as well as popular culture and politics.
The course includes assessments of the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
International Independent Project Qualification (IPQ)
The IPQ is an independent project that is chosen by the student and is worth half an A Level. It allows our Sixth Form students to further explore their own interests and creativity and build their presentation skills.
Our IPQ course aims to help students design, plan and complete an individual project, applying a range of organisational skills and strategies. They’ll critically select and analyse diverse information, then apply it relevantly to highlight the connections and address complexities of the chosen topic.
The course consists of 30 hours of lessons on project management, communication skills, report writing and other relevant skills, as well as 90 hours of independent project work under the guidance of a supervisor.
Assessment of the IPQ considers a production log, a 5,000 word written report and a presentation.
GED
An alternative to following A Level courses, the GED is an American high school equivalency diploma. Accepted for entry to many universities in Thailand, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh and the UAE, the GED provides a route to Higher Education for students who may not have met the entry requirements for A Level courses.
For students considering universities and countries that do not accept the GED, a strong performance in the GED examinations at the end of the course will help them enter A Level courses in the following year.
The GED develops in our students these four core areas: reasoning through language and arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The course content covers reading for meaning, critical argument skills, basic maths, designing and interpreting science experiments and historical analysis.
GED consists of four computer based examinations. Each test is graded on a scale of 100 to 200. Students must average 145 to pass, 165 to be ‘College Ready’ and 175 to receive ‘College Ready plus credit’ grade.
