International school

Curriculum Overview:

21st International School Baku curriculum is not just about preparation for exams. It is about a broad and balanced curriculum, and the social, intellectual and emotional needs of our pupils drive our educational agenda. A happy child is a successful one.

The academic programme is rigorous and challenging, with pupils thriving in an atmosphere where they are encouraged to take risks and discover for themselves, an environment where they are happy and where each pupil’s individual needs are recognised and provided for. Our aim is to give pupils the confidence, skills and knowledge to fulfil their potential academically, and to encourage them to work independently and collaboratively.

At 21st International School Baku we intend to deliver a balanced and broad based curriculum:

Broad: A wide range of subjects to be delivered to the students for as long as possible so that they can develop the skills and knowledge that will equip them not only for academic success but the world of work.

Balanced:  time is afforded to the students to contribute to the learning, to develop skills and deepen knowledge. Opportunities to explore the subject and the topics deeper. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, Art, History or Science, a broad curriculum presents an opportunity for students to discover new facts and concepts, find inspiration and excitement.

Our highly qualified and enthusiastic teaching staff know their pupils’ strengths and weaknesses and support them to develop and grow in their particular areas of expertise. Relationships between pupils and their teachers are excellent and this nurtures mutual trust and respect.

Pupils follow a broad programme in the initial years and start to specialise as they enter IGCSE years and then again in the Sixth Form.

Cambridge International Curriculum:

The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the most recognised qualification around the world.

The flexible nature of the course, means that at 21st Century International School Baku, we can tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of the individual at all academic stages, whilst providing students with a broad knowledge base and lifelong learning skills for school, university and beyond.

Cambridge Primary:

Develops students skills and understanding through the primary years in different subjects, including English, Mathematics and science.

Cambridge Lower Secondary:

It is an excellent preparation providing strong foundation for Cambridge Upper Secondary and further education. It focuses on developing independent and critical thinking, practical and analytical skills.

Cambridge IGCSE:

For 14 -16 year old students gives the students the flexibility to choose from a varied combination:

Outstanding Teaching and Learning:

Our passion, dedication and commitment to the delivery of outstanding lessons is second to none. With a balanced and broad curriculum our lessons are designed to support the students learning journey during their time at the school.

Art:

Art and design is integral to a young person’s development. We place emphasis on the acquisition of technical skills, sustained research and personal expression. Pupils are encouraged to analyse, solve and evaluate problems. Pupils are encouraged to be self motivated, confident and use their initiative to be successful.

In Art and Design, pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. In Art and Design, pupils reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently. They develop an appreciation of Art and Design, and its role in the creative and cultural industries that enrich their lives. Art and Design is a rewarding subject which suits organised pupils who can think creatively and work with independence.

IGCSE Business Studies:

Pupils start by exploring the world of small business through the lens of an entrepreneur. How and why do business ideas come about? What makes a successful business? You’ll learn how to develop an idea, spot an opportunity and turn it into a successful business. You will understand how to make a business effective, manage money and see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved.

Then you’ll move on to investigating business growth. How does a business develop beyond the start-up phase? You’ll learn about key business concepts as well as issues and decisions you need to make when growing a business and working in global business. You’ll learn about meeting customer needs, making decisions about marketing, operations, financial and human resourcing, and you’ll explore how the wider world impacts the business as it grows.

Computer Science:

Our high-quality and forward-thinking computing programme will equip pupils with the skills and understanding to play an active role in today’s digital world. Through studying aspects of digital literacy, information technology and computer science, we will develop young adults who are able to express themselves across a variety of digital technologies, who are able to utilise digital systems to solve real world issues, and who are able to apply computational thinking to logical problems.

IGCSE Information Technology

English:

The world we live in needs people who are effective and authentic communicators. In order to be effective communicators in the world around them, Pupils need exposure to a breadth of high-quality texts – both fiction and non-fiction. At 21^st Century International School we expose pupils to a range of challenging texts in order to inspire an early love of language and literature which will equip them with the skills they need for future study in the subject, and for life.

As a basis, in KS3, pupils will study a range of texts in each year, and these will be enjoyed and studied through the embedding of vital language analysis skills. Pupils master writing techniques and writing for a variety of purposes such as descriptive writing, narrative writing, writing to persuade and writing to inform. They will read and analyse poetry, novels, plays, articles and other non fiction texts from a period spanning over two hundred years.

By Year 9, pupils are expected to be critical thinkers, familiar with literary techniques and able to interpret authorial intentions and nuances of language adopted for different writing styles. This ensures a solid foundation for their GCSE studies in the two English disciplines.

IGCSE English Literature:

The Literature course is designed to give pupils an over-arching appreciation of Literature from the modern period. As such, Pupils will study one ‘legacy’ text, usually a Shakespeare play such as Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet; one 19th Century novel, such as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or Bronte’s Jane Eyre; and one modern text, such as Priestley’s An Inspector Calls or Haddon and Stephens’ The Curious of the Dog in the Night Time, from a selection offered by the examination boards. As well as this, pupils will study one group of poems by different writers grouped thematically as decided by the exam board, and will also learn how to analyse unfamiliar poems for themselves.

IGCSE English Language:
English is invaluable for your future, no matter what you are aiming for and it is compulsory to study it at GCSE. A good command of spoken and written Standard English will help you every day - and benefit all of your other GCSEs too. Whatever you end up doing, English is a must-have subject for college, university, work and life!
Your GCSE Language course will involve being familiar with a range of text types, from articles to emails and interviews to speeches, and you will be taught the skills you need to analyse these types of text as well as create your own. You will be asked to analyse both fiction and non-fiction and in so doing, gain an appreciation for the crafting of language that writers employ to achieve their aims. You will become an expert in talking about why writers do what they do, and in crafting the English Language to your own purposes. 

Geography:

Pupils learn about a range of local and global challenges to establish a solid foundation of geographical understanding and skills for future study. Understanding today’s global issues, from climate change to migration, requires a strong appreciation of temporal and locational change and an academic knowledge of the myriad sub-disciplines of Geography. The topics include tectonic hazards, global populations, the Arctic, globalisation, and energy production.

Pupils then learn about the challenges of human development and the issues and management of ecosystems including hot deserts and tropical rainforests. Geography enables pupils to explore people and their societies, economies, cultures and the environment. As the pace of global change accelerates and the world becomes ever more interconnected, Geography allows pupils the opportunity to develop transferable skills and ways of thinking that will help them make sense of the world’s ever increasing complexity.

IGCSE Geography:

Geography pupils will be encouraged to apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork and other out of classroom learning opportunities using geographical skills, appropriate technologies, enquiry and analysis. By developing their appreciation of the importance of the location of places and environments on a local and global scale they will become critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds. The course is divided into three areas of assessment. The first, ‘Living with the physical environment’ considers the challenge of natural hazards, the living world and physical landscapes. The second, ‘Challenges in the human environment’ explores urban issues and challenges together with the changing economic world and the challenge of resource management. Finally, fieldwork & evaluation.

History:

History is rigorous and fun and our historians are taught to be self starting, broad minded and incisive. We aim to train clear thinkers, sharp debaters and convincing analysts.

Pupils are introduced to mastering historical skills for themselves; not doing history, but becoming historians. Pupils will study a number of fascinating topics, including, for example: Anglo-Saxons, Slavery, Industrial Revolution, World War I, World War II, Civil Rights and the Russian Revolution.

IGCSE History:

History offers pupils the opportunity to explore the past from a range of perspectives and positions. Our syllabus offers a varied mix of topics and time periods to give you both a broad understanding of historical themes and in-depth knowledge of some important periods in British and World history. History is a subject that hones your ability to argue and debate whilst expressing your ideas both verbally and on paper.  We encourage all pupils to stretch themselves, to be inquisitive and to think independently.

Mathematics:

All pupils study Mathematics. We aim to ensure that our pupils achieve their highest potential through excellent teaching, a communication of the joy and challenge of mathematical problem solving, and feeling of satisfaction and acknowledgment of their progress.

Mathematics underpins the world around us and a sound understanding of maths will help you in many everyday situations from managing your personal finance to catching a bus! It is an essential life skill. The GCSE course will equip you with a range of skills to not only solve a variety of problems but also to recognise the beauty and relevance of mathematics in all areas of life.

IGCSE Mathematics:

Algebra: How to express situations algebraically and solve problems along with the effective manipulation of algebra

Number: To use numerical skills to solve mathematical problems including those in real-life situations.

Probability: To calculate probabilities using diagrams as an aid

Statistics: The collection, representation and analysis of data

To reason logically, present solutions and communicate mathematically.

Modern Foreign Languages:

Cultural knowledge and understanding remain fundamental to meaningful communication and friendships with others. Learning a foreign language broadens student’s horizons and creates an awareness on how language is formed and the provenance of language. It helps students understand cultural differences and the formation of language can also aid students’ ability to grasp the fundamentals of other subjects more easily.

Our curriculum gives students an opportunity to learn about French, German & Spanish language but also the culture of the speaking worlds. Student will learn how to string sentences to communicate in the foreign language learnt. They will also have an insight into films, music and food.

Students will learn how to introduce themselves and other people, including being able to describe their personalities and those of friends and family. To extend their sentences they will learn how to give opinions about school subjects. As students develop their confidence more complex topics and sentence structures are introduced. 

Sciences:

Understanding Science makes everything – a walk in the woods, reading a newspaper, visit to a museum – much more interesting. It helps us to make sense of the world around us. A wide diversity of careers exist in which Science is used.

Students study a broad and balanced Science curriculum. Throughout pupils will study a mixture of Biology, Chemistry and Physics with a strong emphasis on practical skills. We aim to encourage our younger students to enjoy their Science and be confident and safe when designing and carrying out experiments. At the end of each topic there is a test to assess knowledge and understanding.

Biology:

Biology is a vital area of study in the 21st century that attempts to understand the living worlds at all levels ranging from simple cells to complex forms involving plants, animals, and humans. The first organism appeared on the planet over 3 billion years ago and through reproduction and natural selection, have given rise to the 8 million or different species that have been produced. Most of these flourished for a period of time, and then became extinct as new, better adapted species took their place. This diversity makes biology both an endless source of fascination and a considerable challenge.

The Biology curriculum is relevant and effective, reflecting societal changes with a greater focus on skills and the interconnectedness of concepts, contexts and content. Pupils will cover many of the fundamentals of the subject such as cell structure, biological molecules and respiration. Pupils will also cover some of the major systems of the human body.

These topics provide opportunities for investigative work, as well as developing practical skills and teamwork; pupils learn about the scientific method through carrying out experiments. The topics are arranged to facilitate deep learning and understanding, as well as foster enquiring minds.

In world where rapid change is threatening the survival of many species, our curriculum teaches students that we need to mindful of the existing challenges we face as a global community and empowers them to consider how we can act upon those challenges.

Chemistry:

We ensure that our chemists are numerically literate, are able to problem solve, and make reasoned judgements from a range of data sources and communicating their findings and reasons.

Pupils cover a broad range of topics including natural resources, atomic structure and bonding, states of matter, rates of reaction, acids and bases, and metal reactivity.

Chemistry is part of our curriculum offering for both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE and AS/ A Level)

Chemistry is the science that explores the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. It's a fundamental subject that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. By studying Chemistry, students will delve into the intricacies of atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions, preparing them for further education and careers in fields such as medicine, engineering, environmental science, and beyond.

Our curriculum is designed to engage students through a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experiments, and real-world applications. With experienced educators and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, students will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of Chemistry in a dynamic and supportive learning environment.

Whether pursuing the rigorous IBDP or the foundational IGCSE, our Chemistry program aims to empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed academically and thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. Join us on this exciting journey as we unravel the mysteries of Chemistry and inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

Physics:

Physics is the study of the physical universe and the processes that shape it. Pupils develop a sense of the enormous scale and complexity of the subject, enabling them to appreciate just how amazing and fascinating physics can be.

Our Physics curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deep understanding of the natural world through the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. Whether it be the, Cambridge International (IGCSE & AS/ A Level) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) curriculum, we provide students with a comprehensive and flexible science education tailored to their academic goals and interests.

Pupils will explore and learn about a range of fascinating topics. This includes: mechanics, materials, waves, electricity, magnetism, thermal physics, nuclear physics, thermodynamics, oscillations and waves, electric currents, fields and forces, and energy production. Pupils carry out experiments and use these to instil the basics of good laboratory practice and enhance understanding of the underlying laws and principles.

Physics is a dynamic and integral field of study that equips students with a profound understanding of the natural world, critical problem-solving skills, and the foundation for technological and scientific advancements. Whether pursuing advanced studies or entering diverse career paths, the study of physics opens doors to numerous opportunities and contributes significantly to personal and societal progress. Join us in exploring the fascinating world of physics and become part of the next generation of scientists, innovators and thinkers.