Over time, the global landscape constantly evolves. Globalisation starts to bring countries closer together, meshing cultures against each other for the purpose of trading information. As a result, the knowledge needed to excel from a social standpoint has become more demanding, forcing students to face the challenge of acquiring skills that transcend traditional academic proficiency.

Confronted with these growing demands, students are compelled to develop critical thinking, adaptability, and cultural awareness to elevate not only their communication skills but also their capacity to solve the perpetually changing problems of the future society that we will live in.

In recognition of these needs, many institutions that focus on bridging gaps between cultures—such as international schools—offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum. As a globally recognised qualification, this curriculum focuses on student development to provide them with a significant advantage in not only communicating with foreign individuals but also in attending international schools, should they plan to later pursue higher education in other countries.

But beyond this benefit, what defines the IGCSE curriculum?

A Strong Academic Foundation

The IGCSE curriculum is certain to lay out the critical basic foundations needed in students academically. With a robust list of subjects, each student can be prepared for higher studies and a globally connected world by offering a broad and balanced education. The characteristics of the IGCSE curriculum involve:

1. Impressive Subject Breadth. By offering students a range of subjects from core subjects such as Mathematics, English, and the Sciences to electives that comprise of various Humanities, Languages, and Arts, students are exposed to diverse fields to develop an impression of understanding of the subject that interests them. This allows for versatility, which develops the student’s ability to overcome multiple challenges.
2. Rigorous Content Mastery. Beyond the scope of multiple subjects, content depth is also a focal point. The IGCSE curriculum does not just delve into surface knowledge—it encourages a deep dive into the core concepts and principles. This provides students with a sense of clarity that emphasises factual accuracy, conceptual clarity, and the ability to recall and apply any learnt material.
3. Analytical and Evaluative Thinking. Not only does the curriculum instil pertinent knowledge within students, but it also raises their level of reasoning. Understanding the content of each subject will compel students to develop their innate critical-thinking skills which are developed hands-on with coursework and examinations of which interpreting text, solving problems, and drawing plausible conclusions based on evidence are key parts.

When assembled together, the IGCSE curriculum moulds students who are not only well-rounded and adaptable but also academically excellent with the capacity to become critical thinkers who can reliably apply their knowledge to concretely solve real-world problems.

Skill Development Beyond the Classroom

Beyond establishing an effective academic core, the IGCSE curriculum also focuses on holistic development. With a focus on cultivating important life skills, the curriculum ensures that each student is properly equipped with the foundational tools they need to pursue their own interests. Usually, these life skills take the form of:

1. Independent Research. This life skill entails the capacity for a student to locate, evaluate, and synthesise suitable information from a wide array of verifiable sources like books, journals, and online databases to form a comprehensive understanding of any topic they deem interesting. Beyond this, application of this knowledge is also a cornerstone. Students will be able to plan, organise, and execute research projects which are key problem-solving components that will be essential in life.
2. Effective Communication. To complement the students’ oral communication abilities, where students can enrich their capacity to present information effectively and partake in discussions and debates actively, students can also build on their ability to formulate ideas either through writing or visual aids. This entails mastering grammar, vocabulary, graphs and charts, and their ability to fruitfully interpret texts. Other than this, interpersonal communication can also be boosted by improving the students’ active listening skills in paying attention to others and understanding the message directed at them.
3. Collaborative Teamwork. Within the classroom setting, the students can reliably learn how to work together and define common goals. Beyond that setting, the students can elevate those skills by learning how to actively participate—where they learn how to properly contribute their ideas and skills towards a common objective—and learning how to resolve conflict by developing their capacity to manage disagreements and find mutually acceptable solutions.

In summary, the IGCSE curriculum immerses students in situations where they would need to grapple with the opportunities to assimilate pertinent skills. This can be done through extracurricular activities like sports programmes, performing arts, or even general academic activities such as group work and test-taking sessions.

A Global Perspective for a Connected World

To supplement the aforementioned benefits, the IGCSE curriculum acts with the initiative to foster cultural sensitivity with a perspective that revolves around the common good. In encouraging students to understand and appreciate other cultures, perspectives, and values, empathy is instilled effectively.

This is primarily because each student is given sufficient opportunities to observe and query cultural biases by incorporating international issues and perspectives into subject content as per the lesson plan.

Most importantly, this global perspective is a necessity. Not only does this allow for proficiency in cross-cultural communication, but it also allows students to engage with other viewpoints in a correct and respectful way, thus preparing them for an increasingly globalised world. By contextualising the nuances of communication across cultures, strengthening their foundational knowledge, and providing them with the appropriate life skills, each student is ultimately prepared to flourish in a globalised world.

Why Choose St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 for IGCSE?

As one of the leading institutions in British international education, St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 is one of the premier options in Bangkok, Thailand. With over 600 students and 130 teachers from over 40 nationalities, St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 is a living embodiment of the international spirit that the IGCSE curriculum strives to promote.

This multicultural community is just one of its many features. To complement this, St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 offers over 100 extracurricular programmes that focus on student development which helps in enriching the learning experiences beyond the classroom. Thanks to an experienced faculty devoted to delivering personalised support and extensive knowledge through impeccable pedagogical practises, each student is entitled to a wealth of knowledge. Coupled with state-of-the-art facilities to create conducive learning environments, students are presented with quality education all the while developing as individuals within a vibrant community.

For any enquiries regarding St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 and the IGCSE curriculum, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. In addition, we encourage you to complement your knowledge with a personalised school tour to truly understand our international community by seeing and experiencing it in person.

A strong parent-school relationship helps shape a child’s academic success. St. Andrews International School Sukhumvit S107 recognises the power of such a partnership. By working closely with parents, we help create an engaging learning environment that extends to our learners’ homes.

For that reason, parental involvement goes beyond academic support. Parents have a role in creating a culture and community that brightens a child’s school experience. From attending school events to attending workshops, there are many ways for parents to participate in their child’s academic journey.

St. Andrews Sukhumvit provides a space for families to grow together. We believe collaboration between our parents, teachers, and school leaders is the best approach to delivering holistic education. Witnessing these interactions allows children to see learning as a shared experience.

The First Steps: Understanding Your Child’s School Environment

A study published in 2019 highlights the benefits of parental involvement in a child’s schooling experience. The results show higher academic engagement, motivation, and success for learners whose parents are actively involved.

The best way for parents to become more active is to familiarise themselves with their child’s school. S107 encourages parents like you to communicate openly with our teachers. Our support will help you understand our values and curriculum. You can then use what you learn from us to align home support with classroom learning.

Open communication will also give you a clear idea of your child’s progress. That means you can promptly help your child overcome academic challenges.

Understanding the roles of our counsellors, administrators, and support staff is equally vital. This knowledge will help you navigate St. Andrews’s educational landscape with ease. As a parent, you’ll know who to approach best when you need support addressing a particular roadblock in your child’s learning.

These approaches lay the foundation for creating a seamless school-to-home learning environment.

More than Spectators: How Parents Shape S107 School Events

St. Andrews Sukhumvit, as an institution for holistic learning, organises several school events in which parents can take part.

For big events, we usually tap our Parent Support Group volunteers. Parents inclined toward sports are encouraged to join games for our Sports Day.

All families are even invited to donate food for events like Songkran and Christmas. Meanwhile, International Day gives families the chance to represent their home countries. Such events provide a space where everyone can have rich cultural exchanges.

At home, you may use these experiences for meaningful conversations. This ongoing dialogue will spark your child’s interest in cultures and traditions that are different from theirs. Encouraging them to reflect on these school events fosters a deeper appreciation for inclusivity.

Enhancing Open Communication from the Classroom to the Living Room

St. Andrews Sukhumvit appreciates parents who regularly check their child’s progress. We expect all parents to uphold the responsibility of staying informed about their child’s challenges and milestones.

There are many ways to maintain open communication, whether through informal conversations or meetings. One of the best approaches is engaging in school-led initiatives. Attending events and workshops helps you stay connected to the S107 community.

By expressing your interest and involvement, your actions help reinforce the value of education. In most cases, being proactive will inspire your child to take a more active role in shaping their learning experience.

Another way to stay informed is to check our email updates. The St. Andrews Sukhumvit website also offers a seamless communication channel for contacting the school. These online platforms bridge the gap between home and school, especially in the digital age.

But perhaps one of the most impactful ways to foster open dialogue remains to be attending parent-teacher meetings. These discussions allow parents to discuss academic progress, suggestions for future initiatives, and other concerns that may affect a child’s overall development.

To make the most out of these meetings, we encourage parents to prepare their enquiries in advance. Being open to constructive feedback from the teachers is of equal weight. Consistent communication is the cornerstone that bridges classroom learning to the home.

Crafting a Home Environment that Nurtures a Love for Learning Beyond Class Hours

A young learner’s home should be an extension of their classroom. This means an ideal home is conducive to fostering curiosity and intellectual growth.

It is important for children to view education as a continuous and enjoyable process. One of the best ways you can reinforce this mindset at home is to dedicate a study area. This space should be spacious enough with learning resources that encourage your child to deepen the learnings they acquired from school.

St. Andrews Sukhumvit believes a nurturing home environment should not focus solely on grades and performance. Instead, it should also promote better problem-solving skills through a stress-free environment.

While structured study time can be an impactful approach, considering extracurricular activities is also essential.

To start, it’s best to know your child’s interests. If they have a passion for music, give them time to practise with their preferred instrument or with their singing. Activities like these will help prevent academic burnout while cultivating diverse skills.

The home offers many learning opportunities. Simple chores like cooking or gardening can provide valuable experiences. By showing your enthusiasm for personal growth, your child will start to view learning as a pursuit that goes beyond their school walls.

How to Overcome a Common Hindrance in Parent-School Collaboration

Many parents find it challenging to be actively involved in their children’s schooling due to their busy schedules. Some even juggle work demands with household responsibilities.

However, being proactive doesn’t necessarily require large time commitments. Small, consistent efforts, such as checking emails or conversing with your child about their school day, are enough to be impactful.

It’s also best to align flexible engagement opportunities with your schedule. Attending virtual meetings and volunteering for short-term initiatives can lead to stronger bonds without the need for frequent in-person presence.

For busy parents, involvement can be invested in more manageable engagements.

Partner with St. Andrews Sukhumvit to Create a Seamless School-to-Home Learning Environment!

St. Andrews International School Sukhumvit S107 is the school local and expat families trust to deliver quality, holistic education. Hence, we repay this trust by being readily available to collaborate with parents to promote their child’s success.

One of our primary goals is to produce globally competitive graduates. For S107, 21st-century learners should be sociable, self-aware, and independent. We believe these values are best instilled not only in the classroom but also at home.

St. Andrews Sukhumvit also conducts workshops throughout the school year. Participating in these workshops offers enriching opportunities to improve your parenting approach and support your child better with their academics.

To learn more about how our international school in Thailand supports both learners and their parents, kindly fill out our enquiry form. S107 is home to dedicated professionals ready to assist you in your endeavours with us. You may also schedule a personalised campus tour. Having your child explore our facilities first-hand will help them become more comfortable on campus. Alternatively, we also offer virtual tours for families who are unable to visit us in person. Whichever you choose, you can always trust us to deliver world-class service and dedication.