The Academic Curriculum

  
The College offers an academic curriculum provided by two mutually supportive and prestigious Certificates: The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the Cambridge International AS Level. Selected students, may in some subjects, proceed to the Cambridge International A level qualification.

Grade 8

In their first year, students follow a broadly based curriculum which introduces them to the full range of subjects and provides a basis of experience for the choice of subjects to be made for the following year.

Grades 9 and 10

The IGCSE is internationally recognised as one of the world's leading courses for secondary schools, being followed in 156 countries.   It is the curriculum of choice in the majority of international schools and in many state and independent schools. It is not designed as a qualification for University entry but it is a most appropriate preparation for the final two years of secondary school. Ridgeway College has offered the IGCSE since its foundation and the school's record of University acceptance and the subsequent record of success at University level of students from Ridgeway provides proof of its efficacy and status. IGCSE courses are renowned for developing such vital educational skills as independent thinking, the application as well as the absorption of knowledge, skills and values, problem solving, initiative, teamwork and investigative skills. Practical experience is given prominence wherever possible.

One of the advantages of writing an International curriculum is that the College and our students are able to benchmark our standards against students of similar age, all over the world. It is interesting to note the Korea and Singapore, which have extremely high standards of Maths and Science, write the IGCSE exam.

Ridgeway College have scored above the world average, consistently since its inception in 1999.  Since Cambridge introduced the Special Awards for top achievers in the IGCSE in 2008, the following Ridgeway students have received recognition:-

2008 - Matamela Maiwashe was ranked 1st in South Africa for Maths and Information Technology and 7th in the world for Physical Science.
2009 - Martin Rauch was ranked 3rd in the world for Accoutancy and top in South Africa.  Ulandi Prinsloo was ranked 5th in the world for Afrikaans as a Second Language.
2010 - Rabia Chhay was Ranked 1st in the World for Physical Science, 2nd in the World for Information Techonology and 1st in South Africa for Mathematics.

Subjects offered in Grades 9 and 10 are Accounting, Afrikaans, Art, Biology, Business Studies, English, English Literature, Geography, History, Information Technology, Life Orientation, Mathematics and Physical Science.

Naturally, some of these are optioned against other subjects. Wherever possible, these choices are based on the wishes expressed by students and parents.

Grades 11 and 12

The Cambridge International AS level is a six to eight term course with exams being written in May/June or October/November of the Grade 12 year.  AS Level qualifies students for entry to South African Universities.

Over the past 11 years of our existence, all Ridgeway College students who have entered South African Universities have been admitted to the faculty of their choice and have gone on to do well. We are confident that Cambridge is an excellent preparation for tertiary education and this view is shared by the Universities.

Subjects offered in Grade 11 and 12 are English language, English Literature, Mathematics, Afrikaans, Physical Science or Business Studies, History or Biology, Accounting, Computing and Global Perspectives.