IGCSE OPTIONS BOOKLET

A guide to the subject choices available for KS4

RIARA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION

Key Stage 4 is a two-year course of study culminating in IGCSE examinations at the end of

Year 11. Depending on your choices, some subjects you used to do in Key Stage 3 will

‘disappear’ – those which remain will be allocated more time, allowing you to study each of

your chosen subjects in greater depth. You will also have the opportunity to study new

subjects. You will be expected to keep up with the demands of the syllabus for each subject,

present homework punctually (there will be an increase in homework time allocated for each

subject) and prepare effectively for a range of assessments.

In short, undertaking IGCSE courses requires more self-responsibility, more determination

and a high level of commitment.

What should you consider when making your choices?

 ABILITY

What advantage might you have if you select subjects in which you have achieved

good results?

 INTEREST

Are you more likely to work with consistent commitment and purpose in subjects that

you particularly enjoy and know that you can be successful in?

 TALENT

Some people are instinctively expressive or creative, and might enjoy the

opportunities provided by subjects such as Music, Drama or Art. Other students may

have a flair for foreign languages or mathematical-based ideas. If you know where

your talents lie, you can capitalize on this…

 POTENTIAL
 Be aware that IGCSE courses might make different demands upon you than KS3

courses did. You may be quite good at a particular subject already; imagine how

much progress you make, and what results you can achieve with hard work and

commitment to your own learning! Be cautious, though: if you have achieved very

high grades through KS3, it does not automatically mean your initial grades at

IGCSE in KS4 will also be high – this might take time.

 CONTENT

Familiarize yourself with the syllabus content for each subject. Look through the

course descriptions in this booklet and try to match content to your abilities, interests

and ambitions.

 AMBITION

If you already have an idea of what future career(s) might appeal to you, you should

bear in mind that some careers demand specific subjects. Medicine, for example, will

require the study of two Science subjects, one of which must be Chemistry. Those

considering a career in Engineering need to study both Math and Physics. Make

sure, therefore, that you get the correct advice before making decisions. If you are

unsure what your ambitions are yet, then you may wish to keep your choices open by

selecting a broad range of subjects.

 ADVICE

People at school to ask for help include: Tutors, Subject Teachers, and parents

These are important life choices that will affect your future, so do not select a subject on

the grounds that:

  your friends are doing it

 you like the teacher

 you think it is an easy option

Riara International Cambridge IGCSE Curriculum will offer a variety of subjects for
students to choose from. Every student will be required to take 8 subjects. The subjects
will be chosen from the following different categories as shown below. The student will
be required to do Mathematics, English and at least one science as the core and/or other
five subjects from the following clusters.

a.

b. Science
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
c. Humanities
Geography
History
d. Foreign Languages
French
Kiswahili
e. Social Subjects
Business Studies
Economics
Environmental Studies
f. Vocational Subjects
Music
Art & Design
P.E
ICT
g. Literary Subjects
Literature
Drama

KS4 OPTIONS FORM

Name of the student Admission Number

Name of Date
Parent/Guardian
IGCSE (Core) – 3 examination subjects
ENGLISH Language
Mathematics
One science (Tick your option)

Biology

Chemistry

Physics
IGCSE (Choice)
- 5 examination subjects
Tick your option.
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Geography
History
Swahili
French
Business Studies
Economics
Environmental studies
Music
Art & design
P. E
ICT
Literature
Drama

SIGNED (STUDENT)……………………………………………………
SIGNED(PARENT)…………………………………………………….
SIGNED(TEACHER)………………………………………………….