Secondary

Introduction

Braeside Thika High School admits students from Year 7 to Year 13, (11 to 18 years). Generally students join in September for the start of the academic year, however, we accept students at different times of the year. We offer a mentoring programme for students who join mid-term and a Transition Programme for those joining from different educational systems.

The school offers a wide range of learning opportunities with subjects for IGCSE and A Level qualifications. In addition, we also offer the BTEC National Extended Diploma Course in Business as a Post IGCSE qualification either as a full diploma or as a part diploma alongside one or two A-level course.

The school is committed to academic excellence, evidenced by excellent examination results, the breadth of the educational experiences offered and the emphasis placed on the school as a caring and progressive community.

We place a strong emphasis on discipline whilst providing a secure, ordered and purposeful environment that seeks to build confidence, nurture creativity and refine the talents of our pupils.

Our high standards of behaviour allow our children to focus on learning, supported by our positive reinforcement of our school’s expectations.

We have a strong Pastoral Curriculum that ensures that all students are actively involved in various programmes within and outside of the school. Our leadership model ensures that all sixth pupils engage in Community Activity and Service as well as the President’s Award which is also offered to students in years 9 – 11.

Throughout High School students are enthusiastically involved in Sports, Public Speaking, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Awareness and Work Experience, all of which offer students the opportunity to engage with their peers on national and global platforms

Curriculum

Key Stage 3: Years 7 to 9

• Mathematics
• English
• History
• Geography
• General Science
• French
• Kiswahili
• Art
• Computer Science
• Music
• Food and Nutrition
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
• Physical Education, which includes Games and Swimming
• Enrichment

Formative and summative assessments are carried out throughout Key Stage 3. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress through an end of term report and parent/staff consultation evenings.

During Key Stage 3, emphasis is placed on helping each student choose their optimum combination of subjects to study for the IGCSE courses that begin in Term 3 of Year 9. This combination differs for every pupil and the process involves staff, students and parents.

Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11

Students work towards the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations set by the Cambridge International Examinations Board (CIE). Students usually study nine IGCSE subjects:

Three compulsory subjects:

• Mathematics
• English Language
• English Literature

Six subjects chosen from:

• Art
• Biology
• Information Communication & Technology
• French
• Kiswahili
• History
• Sociology
• Geography
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Food and Nutrition
• Business Studies BTEC
• Global Perspectives

Students also participate in sport and other co-curricular activities.

IGCSE examinations are an excellent foundation for further study at Advanced Level (A-Level), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC).