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Our four year High School Journey

A curriculum that builds skills and confidence, providing flexible pathways and empowering students for lifelong learning.

A broad and balanced curriculum

The High School journey is a coherent four-year programme and the culmination of our IB world school curriculum. The first two years, Grades 9 and 10, provide a broad and balanced approach, allowing students to deepen their understanding across a wide range of subjects and explore their interests without narrowing their options too early.

Building on this strong foundation, the curriculum in Grades 11 and 12 encourages both breadth and depth. All students continue to study a variety of subjects—including languages, sciences, humanities, and mathematics—ensuring a well-rounded education. This is enriched by a focus on critical thinking, independent research, and hands-on community engagement, helping students develop into confident and intellectually curious young adults.

Throughout their High School journey, all students work towards an accredited High School Diploma, a qualification recognised worldwide. To complement their studies in Grades 9 and 10, students have the option of taking IGCSE qualifications. In their final two years, they undertake the IB Diploma qualification, known for its academic depth and international perspective. For added flexibility, students can pursue the full IB Diploma or individual IB Course Certificates and SATs, creating a personalised pathway that best suits their individual strengths and goals.

The Journey, Year by Year

Discover how our curriculum empowers students with new skills and experiences at every stage of their High School journey.

Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12

Grade 9

Grade 9 marks the exciting start of the four-year High School journey, where students begin earning credits towards their accredited High School Diploma. This ‘pre-IB’ (International Baccalaureate) curriculum is intentionally broad, allowing students to study a wide range of subjects and build a strong, well-rounded foundation. This year also establishes a vital support network; each student is paired with an advisor and a Head of Grade who will stay with them all the way through to graduation, providing consistent guidance and mentorship.

A key focus in Grade 9 is helping students adapt to the expectations of High School, with a strong emphasis on developing crucial self-management, research, and writing skills. Learning is highly collaborative, with students frequently engaging in group projects. A highlight is the Youth Philanthropy Initiative, an early project within the Global Perspectives course where all students research a local charity, create a presentation, and advocate on its behalf, putting global citizenship into immediate, practical action right in their own community.

Grade 10

In Grade 10, students continue to study a broad range of subjects, supported by their teachers and guided by their trusted advisor. The academic focus sharpens as the advisory programme nurtures the sophisticated reflection, metacognitive, and thinking skills needed for success in every discipline—from writing a critical essay to solving a complex maths problem or confidently holding a conversation in another language.

Opportunities for service and leadership really take off in Grade 10. Students are encouraged to engage with the wider community and make a positive impact, developing crucial life skills along the way. 

Alongside their core studies, students can take optional IGCSE qualifications. These support our pre-IB curriculum by offering students the chance to experience external exams. These exams run parallel to our dynamic internal assessments, which continue to build credits towards the accredited four-year High School Diploma.

Grade 11

Grade 11 marks the next significant stage of the High School journey as students move into the two-year IB Diploma Programme. This is also a key moment where we welcome new students to our community, joining specifically for this world-class experience. Students are guided by a dedicated support network consisting of their advisor, Head of Grade, and our University & Careers Counsellor, who helps them select the options that best align with their future aspirations. Students now balance academic breadth and specialisation, choosing three subjects to study at a Higher Level and three at Standard Level from the rich IB curriculum.

What truly makes the IB unique is the Core, which pulls all their learning together. Through Theory of Knowledge (TOK), students learn to think critically about how we know what we know. The Extended Essay gives them a taste of independent research on a topic of their choice, supported by a dedicated one-to-one supervisor throughout the process. Finally, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) provides a framework for personal growth, ensuring students stay active, explore their creativity, and engage meaningfully with the community.

Grade 12

Grade 12 is the culmination of the High School journey, where academics, friendships, and future planning come together. The trusted network of their advisor and Head of Grade remains a constant source of support, building on the special relationship developed throughout their high school years. Early in the year, the Grade 12 development week gives students a chance to strengthen relationships and set a positive tone for the year through collaborative projects and service activities in this final year of their IB qualifications.

The year is carefully structured to prepare students for final exams and life after graduation. A series of mock exams, run by our IB Coordinator, gives students valuable practice and sets clear expectations for the final exams in May. This is also a period of great excitement as university offers begin to arrive. Our University & Careers Counsellor provides personalised support to each student, helping them navigate applications and make confident decisions about their future destinations, ensuring they are ready and looking forward to whatever comes next.

A Pathway & Placement for every student

Planning for the future is a journey we take together. Our dedicated University & Careers Counsellor begins working with students in Middle School, first helping them explore their strengths and interests. This guidance accelerates through High School, where support focuses on skills for applications and interviews.

We work closely with each student and their family to find the right future placement, whether that’s to a university in the UK or abroad, a specialist college, or another flexible route into adult life. This journey culminates in our graduation ceremony, where we celebrate every student’s achievements and IB qualifications as they are proudly presented with their accredited High School Diploma, ready for their next step.

Broad Subject Groups

Our curriculum ensures a broad and balanced education for all students in Grades 9 to 12, with courses studied from the diverse subject groups detailed below.

Language and Literature
Language Acquisition
Individuals and Societies
Sciences
Mathematics
The Arts
Design
Physical & Health Education
Global Citizenship & IB Core

Language and Literature

In language and literature, students explore the power of communication, interpreting and connecting with the human experience through written and spoken expression. Students develop sophisticated communication and critical thinking skills by analysing everything from classic literature to contemporary media. They learn to construct nuanced arguments and express complex ideas with clarity and confidence, skills that are invaluable for university and beyond.

At ISA, all students study language and literature in Grades 9 and 10, and have the option to take an IGCSE in English at the end of Grade 10. All students study IB Language and Literature in Grades 11 and 12, either at Standard or Higher Level.

Language Acquisition

In an interconnected world, learning another language is a vital skill for building genuine cultural understanding. Whether studying French or Spanish, students move beyond vocabulary to achieve fluency and connect with another culture on a deeper level. This process develops open-mindedness and enhances cognitive flexibility, allowing students to see the world from multiple perspectives.

At ISA, all students study French or Spanish in Grades 9 and 10, with the option to take an IGCSE in their chosen language at the end of Grade 10. In Grades 11 and 12, students continue with French or Spanish at either Standard or Higher Level. For new students without a background in these languages, we also offer Spanish Ab Initio, a course designed specifically for beginners.

Individuals and Societies

This subject group helps students make sense of the complex world they live in and their place within it. By studying human systems, environments, and history, students learn to think like social scientists. They develop crucial research and analytical skills by evaluating evidence, identifying bias, and understanding the connections between people, places, and events, preparing them to be informed and engaged global citizens.

In Grades 9 and 10, this subject is taught as Global Perspectives, a course that explores contemporary world issues from different viewpoints, with the option to take an IGCSE at the end of Grade 10. For the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12, students are required to choose at least one course from this group, selecting from IB History, Economics, or Environmental Systems & Societies at either Standard or Higher Level.

Sciences

Through practical, hands-on inquiry, students explore the core principles that govern the natural world. Our science courses develop powerful critical thinking and problem-solving skills, encouraging students to design experiments, collect and analyse data, and collaborate on finding solutions. This approach cultivates a deep understanding of the scientific method and its profound impact on our world. 

In Grades 9 and 10, students study Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in focused blocks on a cyclical basis, with the option to take an IGCSE in Integrated Science at the end of Grade 10. For the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12, students choose one or more subjects from IB Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems & Societies and Computer Science, at either Standard or Higher Level.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a universal language that helps students see and understand the patterns and connections in the world. The courses build confidence in logical reasoning and encourage creative problem-solving. This subject develops valuable self-management skills, helping students approach challenges with a clear and organised mind. 

At ISA, all students study mathematics throughout their High School journey and have the option to take an IGCSE in Mathematics at the end of Grade 10. For the IB Diploma, students choose the pathway that best supports their individual strengths and future goals. Our Analysis and Approaches course at Higher Level is perfect for those who enjoy abstract thinking, helping them build the powerful analytical skills needed for future study in fields like science and engineering. Our Applications and Interpretation course at Standard Level is for those who love seeing how maths works in the real world, helping them use data and modelling to solve practical problems.

The Arts

The Arts are a fundamental part of our curriculum, providing a vital space for students to slow down, reflect, and create. This subject group is dedicated to fostering creativity and self-expression, where students learn to communicate their unique ideas through images, sounds, and digital media. The skills developed here are truly interdisciplinary; the creative problem-solving used to compose music or design a visual project connects directly to the innovative thinking required in science and design, nurturing a well-rounded and imaginative mind. 

In Grades 9 and 10, all students choose one subject from our Arts programme, selecting from Visual Arts, Media Arts, or Music. For the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12, students have the option to continue with Visual Arts at either Standard or Higher Level, or they may choose to take a second subject from the Sciences or Individuals & Societies groups instead.

Design

In a world that needs creative solutions, our Design courses equip students with a powerful method for turning ideas into reality. Following a structured design process, they develop a toolkit of transferable skills, including research, collaboration, and critical thinking. This process builds not just creativity but also the crucial self-management and planning skills needed to take a complex project from concept to completion.

In Grades 9 and 10, all students choose one project-based course from Product Design, Computer Science, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). Students in Grade 11 and 12 can then choose to continue their studies in this area by taking Computer Science at either Standard or Higher Level as part of the Sciences group.

Physical & Health Education

Physical & Health Education builds the foundation for a healthy, active, and balanced life. The course helps students understand their physical and mental wellbeing while developing crucial life skills like teamwork, resilience, and a sense of sportsmanship. The focus is on finding joy in movement and developing positive habits that will support them both now and in the future.

In Grades 9 and 10, all students take part in a varied programme that includes a wide selection of both individual and team sports, focusing on skill development and participation. In Grades 11 and 12, students continue their physical development through the Activity component of the CAS programme. At all stages, there are extensive opportunities to get involved in sports outside of class, whether for fun and wellbeing or through our competitive school teams.

Global Citizenship & IB Core

Our dedicated Global Citizenship course in Grades 9 and 10 helps students make sense of the complex world around them. It develops crucial critical thinking and communication skills as students research and debate important real-world issues, understand diverse cultural perspectives, and reflect on their own role in a global society.

Building on this foundation, In Grades 11 and 12, the IB Core helps students deepen their learning and grow as individuals. Through Theory of Knowledge (TOK), they explore the nature of knowledge; with the Extended Essay (EE), they explore a personal passion through a piece of independent research; and in Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), they make a positive impact on the community. Together, these components help shape them into confident and caring young adults.

Complementing our curriculum, Community Time brings all High School students together for assemblies, student-led projects, and celebrations. These regular gatherings are vital for building the shared spirit and supportive relationships that define our school.

Planning for the future

Find out more about how students are supported with their decision making regarding their future destinations

Discover

A balanced life

Alongside the curriculum it’s important to develop other interests and skills at Encore! Sports, clubs and activities

Discover

Timetables

Here is a sample timetable to show how the week looks for High School students

Coming soon

Opportunities to lead

Read about our philosophy on leadership and how this develops throughout the school. 

Discover

Ready to Start the Journey?

If this balanced, supportive, and globally-focused curriculum sounds like the right path for your child, we’d love to tell you more. Get in touch with our admissions team today to arrange a visit and see it all for yourself.

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