The Cambridge international curriculum, known for its academic standards and focus on nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, is designed to challenge students intellectually. Thereby, equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in higher education and beyond.
When enrolled in a secondary school in Singapore that offers the Cambridge curriculum, students can enjoy courses that allow them to explore their passions while making connections with the world at large. More than 10,000 schools in over 160 countries follow the Cambridge curriculum, which is a testament to its excellence.
The Cambridge education system prepares students for life — not only inside the classroom but also in their personal and professional lives. As an inspiring, challenging and international curriculum, the Cambridge curriculum helps students develop curiosity and love for learning.
Key benefits of Cambridge curriculum
Here we talk about three key benefits of the curriculum for your secondary school child:
The Cambridge curriculum is international:
● In many ways, the Cambridge international curriculum is considered to be the global standard of education. While the Cambridge education system is rooted in the excellent academic standards that have long defined the programme, it is also a flexible curriculum — giving international schools the power to create a learning experience that is right for their student body.
● The Cambridge curriculum offers more than 70 subjects within the Cambridge IGCSE. Most international schools that offer the Cambridge Curriculum provide various combinations of those subjects to best appeal to their students.
● The curriculum establishes a strong foundation when offered in Grades 6-8 as part of the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP), and that foundation is built upon throughout the IGCSE, which is available to secondary students in Grades 9-10.
● As an international curriculum, the Cambridge education system is recognised around the globe. It is an ideal option for those who want to pursue an international university or expatriate families who may be relocating at some point during their child’s secondary school years. It offers structure, consistency, international perspective — all while supporting academic development and nurturing students to become lifelong learners.
Focus on in-depth conceptual understanding:
● For centuries, learning was considered to be the process of knowledge acquisition, and fact-gathering and memorising played a central role in a student’s overall experience. The heart of the learning experience is rooted in in-depth conceptual understanding of the subject areas along with higher-order thinking.
● The courses within the Cambridge education system go deep into a particular topic, giving students an expert understanding of a specific subject area. While knowledge acquisition plays a role in these courses, the goal is really to have each student develop a conceptual understanding of the topic while also building upon skills they can utilise in the outside world.
● Students will receive syllabi that reflect a spiral approach to learning. Each syllabus is created with previous learning in mind and has been adapted to reflect the latest educational research on the topic. Children will complete assignments that allow them to think critically about the subject and apply their learning within their communities.
● In addition to instilling knowledge in their students related to the course topic, each instructor also works to develop the Cambridge learner attributes within their course. Both teachers and students actively work to develop identified learner attributes, such as being confident, reflective, innovative, responsible, engaged and more.
● Teachers are able to provide a world-class education to their students because they have access to support material, training programmes and additional resources that are used to further their professional development.
● The commitment to teaching and learning within the Cambridge education system extends beyond standards of academic excellence for students and works to instil lifelong learning at all levels.
Also read: Global Citizenship: Why International Mindedness matters for 21st century learners
Recognised by top universities globally:
● Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of the Cambridge international curriculum is that it is recognised by top universities around the world. More than 2,200 universities and colleges recognise the Cambridge qualifications, including in the United Kingdom and more than 850 universities in the United States, including the Ivy League universities.
● This recognition speaks volumes. When a university receives an application from a student who has been a part of the Cambridge education system, they instantly know that they have a lifelong learner on their hands; one who knows how to think critically, act responsibly and be mindful of how their actions impact the world around them.
● The Cambridge curriculum works to build connections and allows students to understand how their coursework relates to the world around them. People are not just born with higher-order thinking skills; they have to hone and develop them over time.
● Universities know that secondary school students who have completed the Cambridge curriculum have well-developed critical thinking skills and are prepared for university life.
Why opt for the Cambridge International Curriculum at GIIS
The Cambridge curriculum is built on the fact that higher-order thinking skills are needed — not only in the classroom but also in every aspect of an individual’s life. Students enrolled in a secondary school that offers the Cambridge curriculum actively work on honing their 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, research, collaboration and communication.
At GIIS, we have implemented the Cambridge International Curriculum and have found that it is a wonderful option for our secondary school students in Singapore. These are a few reasons why you should consider the Cambridge curriculum at GIIS:
● We offer the CLSP as well as the IGCSE, allowing our secondary students to begin their experience with the Cambridge curriculum and enjoy the consistency that comes from working with this curriculum throughout secondary school.
● CLSP at GIIS is offered under qualified and dedicated teachers who understand the curriculum well. They provide knowledge and skills in subjects like English, Global Perspectives, Maths, Science, ICT, Digital Literacy. Within the second language subject area, students can choose from French, Mandarin, Hindi or Tamil.
● Within the IGCSE, we offer courses across all five topics, including courses in Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences, Sciences, Maths, Creative, Technical and Vocational Studies.
● All assessments are offered according to the standards and schedule of the curriculum. At GIIS, we are proud of the fact that our students receive excellent results on these assessments. These assessment results are used to fuel further learning and personalise the learning experience for each individual student, allowing them to get the most out of their time at GIIS
Cambridge ‘Best in the Region’ Award
At GIIS, our Cambridge IGCSE students have done well consistently over the years – academically, and outside the classroom. A recent notable achievement from our students involved winning the Cambridge IGCSE Learner Award 2023 for Action on Climate Change. The award recognises exemplary student initiatives on the global climate change crisis.
Team Green Threads, formed by four IGCSE 10 students (currently studying in Grade 11) Anwita Sethi, Kiana Kamdar, Kritika Tripathi, and Anaya Shabi from GIIS SMART Campus, clinched the esteemed ‘Best in the Region’ Award for textile recycling solution – an effort targeted at addressing Singapore’s mounting waste challenges.
Furthermore, the team bagged the title of Best Presenter at The Young Technopreneur Challenge 2023, highlighting their efforts and commitment to addressing real-world challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.
The Young Technopreneur Challenge 2023, organised by Junior Achievement, encouraged them to work on the issue of the hour – sustainability. The competition provided a platform for students from across Southeast Asia & the Pacific to collaborate, addressing critical humanitarian crises.
These accomplishments reflect our commitment to nurture students with valuable life lessons, inspiring them to make a positive impact on the community.
At GIIS, we believe that the Cambridge international curriculum allows our students in secondary school in Singapore to enjoy a seamless educational experience in which they are encouraged to explore subjects while also giving them the freedom to discover their own interests and passions. The Cambridge curriculum prepares them for university life and beyond.
If you are keen to know more about the Cambridge curriculum at GIIS, please don’t hesitate to connect with our friendly admissions counsellors.
Deepika Sodhi
Ms. Deepika Sodhi, Principal, GIIS East Coast Campus is a seasoned education leader with over 25 years of teaching experience, including 15+ years in Cambridge and IB programmes, and 10 years in CBSE.
She holds a Master's degree in Physics with a specialisation in Electronics, a Bachelor’s in Education, and an Honours Diploma in Software Management. Her teaching career spans India and Singapore.
Ms. Sodhi's achievements include being GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) qualified and a Gold Medalist in Physics, Lead ISO Auditor, a member of both the International Schools Network and the International Baccalaureate Educator’s Network.
In her past roles at GIIS, she served as Head of Science and Physics, Cambridge IGCSE Coordinator, Cambridge Exam Officer, and IB Examiner.
Ms. Sodhi is passionate about innovation, inclusivity, and student success. In her free time, she enjoys reading and volunteering with the Singapore Red Cross.
