We had the chance to speak to the teachers and students from EtonHouse International School Orchard to find out more about its International A-Level programme.
EtonHouse International School offers the International A-Levels programme to its students in Year 12 and 13. It’s the equivalent of the British A-Levels and is recognised by universities worldwide and valued by employers.
The benefits of International A-Levels (IAL)
One of the advantages of IAL is that it only requires students to take three or four subjects, allowing them to focus on the subjects that they like or those required for the degree they want to pursue in university. Being able to specialise gives students the opportunity to do more in-depth study into their area of interest, giving them a headstart when they start their university studies.
Another benefit of the IAL is that it allows students to space out their final examinations across two years. They will sit for the AS exams at the end of Year 12 and receive an AS-Level grade, which can be a standalone qualification by itself and is worth half the IAL grade. The following A2 exams will be taken at the end of Year 13, after which students will graduate with their full IAL qualifications. Students also have the flexibility to retake their AS examination to try for a better grade.
What makes EtonHouse Orchard’s IAL stand out
To support personalised learning with real-world experiences, EtonHouse Orchard offers a bespoke EtonCore programme and Lifeskills course and alongside the IAL. Students have the chance to pursue other interests beyond the classroom through the EtonCore programme. This includes electives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, researching and producing an essay on a self-selected topic for the externally accredited Extended Project Qualification, driving community service projects, participating in internships, overseas collaborations, and more. Its Lifeskills programme, on the other hand, helps students to develop a range of soft skills ranging from study skills, wellbeing, to finance, and even preparing for the world of work that they will need for higher education and employment.
Before embarking on their IAL journey, each Year 11 student will have a discussion with a key staff to develop their Personalised Pathway Plan@16. This is an action plan that takes into account their interests, strengths, and career aspirations. The aim of this plan is to help students identify the most appropriate IAL courses and EtonCore electives that will maximise their full academic potential, while supporting their personal growth at the same time. Its student-centred university and careers guidance programmes also provide personalised support and workshops for students and families to strengthen university applications, helping them get into their dream universities.
Check out what teachers and students of EtonHouse Orchard have to say about its IAL programme:
Interested parents and students can find out more about EtonHouse Orchard’s IAL programme through its website, or book a tour to see how learning happens on its campus.
This post is in partnership with EtonHouse International School and Pre-School.
