Ascot International School offers a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 3 that closely follows the National Curriculum for England.  English and Mathematics are taught following the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 Literacy and Numeracy Hours.  The Key Stage 3 curriculum builds on the children’s prior learning throughout Key Stage 2 and our curriculum ensures continuity and progression throughout all subject areas.

Subjects are taught by teachers who are specialists in the areas of Mathematics, English, Sciences, Humanities, Language and the Arts.

Ascot International School campus has a purpose built Secondary School block which has the benefits of new classrooms and resources including ICT facilities for all students.  All classrooms have the latest teaching resources direct from the UK and are all equipped with computer projectors to enhance the learning experience.  The Secondary Department also benefits from a fully equipped Science Laboratory to support scientific investigations.

Students in Year 9 sit the UK National Curriculum Tests (NCTs) which form a basis for choosing subject options for IGCSE courses at Key Stage 4.  Following the results of the Year 9 NCTs, children are supported in choosing a Key Stage 4 programme that is tailored to their individual strengths and abilities as well as their future course of study.  The students then follow a set two-year course of study in a range of subjects that leads to IGCSE examinations and qualifications.

Language and Literacy throughout the Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4

At Ascot International School, students are encouraged to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and to spell correctly and use subject-specific vocabulary in every subject area and learning situation. This strategy underpins the development of a rich command of the English language and offers support to those for whom English is not a native tongue. Development of these key language skills is thus achieved irrespective of the subject being taught or the teacher delivering the lesson.

The Curriculum at Key Stage 3

English
At Ascot International School we follow areas of study that incorporate opportunities for further developing reading and writing skills alongside those for developing speaking and listening. Our students are encouraged to be critical of texts and styles so that they are aware of the different text types and registers of the English language. We study a range of texts as specified by the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum, including modern novels from a range of cultures, Shakespeare plays, classic poetry, pre-20th century literature and media texts. The students become proficient in recognising the different genres of literature and in adapting them to their own writing needs.
Mathematics
The study of Mathematics at Ascot International School provides the students with a sound education not only in pure calculation but in the practical application of mathematical concepts and problem solving. The students are encouraged to use a range of problem-solving strategies and to use mental calculation techniques to supplement the traditional written techniques.
Drama
This wide-ranging subject covers all aspects of performance arts including stagecraft, movement and dance. Using an extensive range of source materials, from Shakespeare to contemporary playwrights, the students learn the basics of performance – script-writing, staging, costume and make-up and constructive criticism. The overall aim of the course is to develop a degree of artistic awareness and improve self-confidence in front of an audience.
ICT
The students are exposed to a broad range of ICT skills. These include desktop publishing, web design, use of digital media, video, audio and graphic editing. The course of study is designed to reflect current trends in ICT in the world outside the education arena and will prepare students for IGCSE examinations.
Science
Science at KS3 involves the development of observational, investigational and communication skills using scientific knowledge. It builds upon the previous knowledge the students bring from Key Stage Two and encourages independent study and research. A number of units of study are taught, offering a comprehensive understanding of the three main scientific branches of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
History
During the course of Key Stage 3 the students study a series of units of study covering key aspects of British and World History. We relate all of the historical work covered to events in Thailand and other areas of South East Asia by drawing comparisons.  This also maximises the potential for using sites of interest in Thailand for fieldwork exercises.
Geography
Wherever possible, the topics of study for Geography are related to the opportunities for study offered by Thailand itself. General themes such as erosion, rivers and man’s influence upon the environment are studied with an emphasis on the local Thai environment. In addition, the students study contrasting ecosystems such as rainforest (Amazonia) and cold desert (the Polar Regions).  Students learn map and atlas skills and study a number of countries in detail enabling them to broaden their knowledge of the political, economic and physical structure of the world in which they live.
Modern Foreign Languages
The students at Ascot International School are taught by specialist teachers following a syllabus that leads to IGCSE examinations in Mandarin and Thai. We will also offer the opportunity for native speakers of other languages to work towards IGCSE in their ‘mother-tongue’.
Music
This course of study enables all the students to achieve an understanding of all the elements in the music curriculum: composition, performance, aural skills, improvisation and the history of music. The study of Music Technology is also an integral part of general music studies in KS3 at Ascot International School.
Private lessons on a one to one basis are available for a wide range of instruments including violin, piano, guitar, woodwind and drums.
Physical Education
The students experience a wide range of activities which are intended to build up their physical stamina and their skill-levels. They follow a programme that includes football, rugby, basketball, badminton, hockey, table tennis and athletics. This provides them with a well-rounded and thorough preparation for a range of team and individual activities. 
Swimming tuition is also provided and coaching is available for more able students.
Art
The students follow a wide-ranging programme of study that builds upon the skills they have been developing in Art through the primary phase. This includes observational drawing, composition, colouring and shading techniques, as well as elements of sculpture.  Children are taught aspects of art history from a range of cultures and are also learn how to evaluate their own work and that of others.
Design Technology
Using a range of media, the students learn how to identify a design need, produce designs, manufacture a product, evaluate the end product and modify their work to make further improvements.  Food Technology also falls within the scope of this broad-ranging subject.
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
We approach almost all of the content of this subject through cross-curricular links with other subjects, drawing the students’ attention to the need for personal responsibility and social conscience. This subject has been raised in status in recent years by desire to develop children into good citizens. Accordingly, we encourage the students to consider and discuss their own behaviour and attitudes and those of other people. We believe that the cross-curricular nature of this subject reinforces the all-pervading need for respect for self and others.
Thai Language and Culture
As an international school in Thailand, Ascot provides all children with the opportunity to learn more about Thailand, its language and culture.  Work in Key Stage 3 continues to build on the children’s studies throughout Key Stage 2.  For children for whom Thai is their native language, the programme of study builds towards the possibility of taking an IGCSE in Thai Language.

The Curriculum at Key Stage 4

At Ascot International School the students in Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and Year 11) follow a broad curriculum that covers subjects from a variety of areas:  Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Creative, Technical and Vocational.

Our programme prepares students for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).  This is an international qualification typically taken by 16 year olds that prepares students for further study at A Level, AS Level and International Baccalaureate (IB). IGCSE is recognised by academic institutions and employers around the world.  It is equivalent to the UK GCSE and is recognized as such by UCAS, the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service for British Universities.

IGCSE is suitable for children of different ability levels as it provides a choice of Core and Extended papers in most subjects. The IGCSE also allows teaching to be placed in a more localised context, making it relevant to different regions and cultures.  It is intended to be suitable for students whose first language may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination process.  IGCSEs are taken annually by children in over 120 countries, including the UK.,

The subjects available for study to IGCSE level at Ascot International School include:

• English
• English Literature
  
• Mathematics
• Science (Double Award)
• Biology
  
• Chemistry
  
• Physics
  
• Geography
  
• History
  
• Modern Foreign Language (Mandarin)
  
• Art
  
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  
• Design and Technology (DT)
  
• Drama