IST Secondary Curriculum

Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7 – 9)

The subjects on offer in our Lower Secondary years (7-9) are currently preparatory courses for both the IGCSE in years 10 and 11, and for the IB DP later. We aim to implement the full Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum for our years 7-9 starting in school year 2026-2027. This programme lays the foundation for the IGCSE via so-called Checkpoint tests. In so doing, we intend to provide a full, vertically aligned and continuous learning programme for students between the ages of 11 and 16.

In years 7 – 9, we offer English, Dutch, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Visual Arts, Physical Education and Music.

IGCSE (Years 10 and 11)

The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum aims to develop a learner’s knowledge, understanding and skills for a range of subjects, leading to an international qualification and providing an excellent preparation for progression to other academic programmes. At the end of year 9, students select their IGCSE subject choices. They do so based on their Checkpoint results, the advice of their teachers and the student’s personal preferences. The careers counsellor and mentors will communicate with parents during the subject choice process.

In years 10 and 11, we offer English, Dutch, Spanish, Economics, Geography, History, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Visual Arts and Physical Education.

The IGCSE is a two-year examination course for students in years 10 and 11. It provides a curriculum and methods of assessment appropriate for a wide ability range and is examined in April/May at the end of year 11, after which the students use the remaining months of the school year to prepare the start of their IB DP journey.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP1 and DP2)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is for students who want to prepare for university. The full IB Diploma Programme takes two years, and a diploma is awarded to students who pass subjects in all six subject groups and the three core subjects.

IST offers the following IB DP subjects:

• Languages A: English and Mother tongue (for students who want to focus on literature in their own language, supported by school, but largely self-study)
• Language B: English, Dutch, Spanish and Spanish ab initio (for beginners)
• Social Sciences: Geography and Economics
• Experimental Sciences: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, SEHS
• Mathematics: Mathematics AA (Analysis and Approaches), Mathematics AI (Applications and Interpretation)
• Arts: Visual Arts

Students will be required to take six subjects from at least five groups (Arts can be replaced by another group): three subjects at a standard level and three subjects at a high level. In addition, there are three core subjects which are compulsory, namely:

• Theory of Knowledge
• Extended essay
• CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service)

Students who have already finished their Diploma Programme at IST and are now at university, tell us that they benefit immensely from the attention that was given to research and reporting. It is therefore appropriate to note that our students enter university with an excellent preparation and are well positioned to achieve their dreams.

IST course guides and Programmes of Testing

We provide all information on our course guides and contents including our programmes of testing on our website. If you are interested in what subjects we offer and what we teach specifically, please feel free to browse our Key Documents page to download our course guides and PTs.