The Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education ( Cambridge IGCSE) offer several advantages to middle school students in Grades 6-10. As an international curriculum, recognised by schools and universities worldwide, the Cambridge programme offers a rich, stimulating and holistic academic journey.
Both CLSP (Grades 6-8) and IGCSE (Grades 9-10) maintain high academic standards, promoting in-depth learning, preparing secondary school students for higher-level education, such as the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), which is known to prepare students from university.
Among its other strengths, a range of subject choices which makes the programme flexible, enables students to go for options as per their passion and interest. Students learn to engage with topics by asking questions, exploring and developing a deeper understanding of the subject area. Thereby, getting opportunities to reap the rewards through knowledge and skills acquisition. Here we’ll highlight some advantages:
Global perspective and recognition
The curriculum incorporates global contexts into learning, making students think about international issues. This global outlook is essential in today’s interconnected world and fosters open-mindedness among students. Moreover, they happen to widen their learning horizons by participating in various competitions, which recognise and celebrate student achievements.
At GIIS, our Cambridge students have received Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, conferred by the Cambridge International Education. Over the years, our students have earned the prestigious ‘Top in the World’ Award for subject proficiency in Mathematics w/o coursework, Additional Mathematics, Computer Science and Hindi.
‘Best in Singapore’
In 2024, four GIIS students – Hanaya Hewamallika, Janessa Mathai, Uday Singh Yadava and Naisha Raturi – won the ‘Best in Singapore’ for the Cambridge IGCSE Learner Award: Action on Climate Change. Their award-winning project focussed on how a single pen affects world climate, and explored the concern over discarded plastic pens that end up in landfills, releasing harmful gases, adding to global warming. Not only did the team raise awareness about the environment but built a stationery segregation machine, as part of their sustainability drive.
Previously in 2023, our IGCSE students, Anwita Sethi, Kiana Kamdar, Kritika Tripathi, and Anaya Shabi – Team Green Threads – clinched the esteemed ‘Best in Region’ Cambridge Award. The group adopted an innovative approach to textile recycling by crafting functional chairs from used textiles.
‘International platform meant a lot’
“Getting recognised on an international platform really meant a lot to us. Getting support from school in this competition was of tremendous help. I remember the time when we were at school and we got to know about our achievement. We were on cloud nine!,” the team said.
“Our business teacher in school helped us a lot. She took time out of her busy schedule, and went through all the entrepreneurial and technological aspects of our idea and helped us refine it,” the team added.
Hear more from our Grade 7, CLSP student:
Global Perspectives, as a subject, helps students develop skills in research, analysis, reflection, and communication. It fosters critical thinking on global issues, promoting personal and social responsibility while inculcating an understanding of different cultures and perspectives.
Holistic development and lifelong learning
Cambridge International promotes a balanced education, encouraging intellectual, personal, and social development. Students are not only equipped with academic knowledge but also with essential life skills, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
The programme offers a wide range of STEM subjects, including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science, each with a comprehensive syllabus that encourages deep understanding. Both theoretical concepts and practical applications, prepare students for higher education and beyond.
Preparation for higher education and beyond
The curriculum encourages active learning and critical thinking, emphasising the development of analytical and problem-solving skills. This approach helps students become independent learners, better prepared for the challenges of higher education and real-world scenarios.
As students advance into IGCSE from Lower Secondary, students are prepared for higher-level education, such as IBDP, well-regarded by universities worldwide. It also helps develop practical skills that are relevant to a wide range of careers, ensuring that students are well-rounded and future-ready.
GIIS’ Cambridge IGCSE results
Over the years, our students have achieved impressive results with more than 1,000 IGCSE A* and A scorers – 100% of GIIS students have secured the prestigious International Certificate of Education (ICE) Distinction in the last five years alone. Over 80% students have achieved A* and A grades, a remarkable accomplishment that places GIIS among the top international schools. The results demonstrate the unwavering commitment of our students and teachers.
In 2024, 100 percent of GIIS students obtained the Cambridge International Certificate in Education (ICE) certification. and 80% of students achieved A* or A grades, with 50% securing A* grades. The school achieved an average percentage uniform mark (PUM) of 86 with 13 students clinching a perfect score of A* in all subjects they appeared for.
At GIIS, CLSP serves as a solid foundation that leads seamlessly into IGCSE. This continuity helps students progress smoothly from one stage to the next, building their knowledge and skills in a structured way.
In summary, the Cambridge curriculum offers a well-rounded, globally recognised education that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and international awareness.
If you are interested to know more about the Cambridge International curriculum at GIIS, please don’t hesitate to contact our admissions team.
Know more about GIIS:
Shubhdarshani Mitra
Shubhdarshani has over 10 years of experience in content creation, curation and editing. She has worked for Indian newspapers, school magazines and international news websites where she worked closely with the leadership on the execution and communication of the content strategy. Aside from work, she’s a passionate B&W photographer and storyteller.
