Camelot International School
Upper Secondary School
(Grade 9 - Grade 12 / Ages 14 - 17 as of August 31, 2026)
Upper Secondary School is divided into two stages over four years. Students study along the Cambridge IGCSE Programme over two years in Grades 9 and 10 and with the Cambridge GCE A-Level Programme for Grades 11 and 12.
Given the continuous growth of our school, we have an Annex building exclusively for the Upper Secondary Division students, which is a 5-minute walk from the Main building. The class size of each grade is limited to up to 8 students per class in order to continue our rich support for the students.
A wide range of subjects in IGCSE is taught at Camelot, up to 8 different subjects. However, once the students move up to the GCE A-Level Programme, students will select three to four subjects in their field of interest and dig deeper into each subject field. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to expand on their interests and consider their paths of study when moving on to university.
Separately from examinable IGCSE/A-Level subjects, students will have the opportunity to join classes such as physical education, music, drama, and home economics as part of their experience and learning.
What is Cambridge IGCSE?
(from Cambridge Assessment International Education)
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. It is taken in over 140 countries and in more than 4500 schools around the world.
Cambridge IGCSE helps students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in subject content and intellectual enquiry. The programme has been designed for students worldwide, including those whose first language is not English. We offer students the flexibility to choose from over 70 subjects at Cambridge IGCSE, meaning they can study the subjects they enjoy and are best at.
Assessment takes place at the end of the course and offers students a range of ways to demonstrate their learning, including written, oral, coursework and practical assessments. The grades awarded at Cambridge IGCSE are A*–G, with A* being the highest. This means that Cambridge IGCSE is a great foundation for further study including Cambridge International AS & A Level.
Studying IGCSE at Camelot International School
At Camelot, we view the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum not merely as a stepping stone, but as the essential academic foundation for our students' future.
Unlike many curriculums that focus on memorizing facts, Cambridge IGCSE demands critical thinking, deep analysis, and the application of knowledge to new, unseen situations.
Families must understand that this high standard comes with significant challenges, particularly for students whose first language is not English.
Unlike Lower Secondary, where students might explore broad topics, IGCSE requires the memorization and application of a vast amount of specific information across multiple different subjects simultaneously.
Additionally, unlike the assessments until the Lower Secondary Division, exams are not marked by our teachers, but by examiners in the UK. This means there is no "sympathy grading" for effort; only the correct application of knowledge is rewarded.
What are Cambridge International AS & A Levels?
(from Cambridge Assessment International Education)
Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary Levels (AS Levels) and Cambridge International Advanced Levels (A Levels) are subject-based qualifications usually taken in the final two years of high school. Cambridge International AS Level is typically a one-year programme of study, while Cambridge International A Level typically takes two years.
Assessment takes place at the end of each programme. Most subjects can be started as a Cambridge International AS Level and extended to a Cambridge International A Level.
They have been created specifically for an international student body with content to suit a wide variety of schools and avoid cultural bias. The contexts or examples used in syllabuses and exam question papers are culturally sensitive in an international context.
Offered since 1951, these qualifications are administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education, a part of the University of Cambridge.
Studying AS & A-Levels at Camelot International School
The Cambridge A-Level is widely regarded by admissions officers as the "Gold Standard" of high school education due to its depth. Unlike other systems where students study 6 or 7 subjects, A-Level students focus on only 3 or 4 subjects.
Because the focus is narrow, the depth is immense. Each A-Level subject covers material that is often taught in the first year of university.
Defining the Difficulty: How A-Levels Compare
To understand the unique challenge of the A-Level program, it is helpful to look at the standards of other major international curriculums. The difficulty of A-Levels does not come from the number of things a student must do, but from the level of intellect required to do them.
Depth vs. Workload (Compared to The IB Standard)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is famous for its heavy workload—students must balance six subjects, community service, and a philosophy course simultaneously. The difficulty lies in time management.
In contrast, A-Levels are conceptually harder. Because students are not distracted by a wide range of compulsory subjects, they are expected to master their chosen fields completely by studying only 3 to 4 subjects. A student cannot simply memorize facts to achieve a top grade; they must demonstrate the ability to analyze, evaluate, and critique complex theories with the maturity of a university undergraduate.
Analysis vs. Speed (Compared to The US AP Standard)
The US Advanced Placement (AP) system offers excellent introductory college courses, but they are often fast-paced and utilize multiple-choice testing to cover a breadth of content quickly.
A-Levels require sustained analysis. There are almost no multiple-choice shortcuts in the Cambridge system.
In Science and Mathematics, students must show every step of their working logic to prove their understanding. In Humanities, assessment is based on long-form, persuasive essays. This standard requires a significantly higher command of "Academic English," as students must articulate complex arguments with precision rather than just selecting the correct answer from a list.
The Passport to Universities: In Japan and Abroad
The grades achieved in A-Levels are the most critical currency for the students' future. The curriculum is standardized globally, and universities know exactly what the grades represent.
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Universities Overseas: A-Levels are recognized by every major university in the world, including the Ivy League in the US, the Russell Group in the UK, and top institutions in Canada and Australia. In many US universities, strong A-Level grades can even earn students "course credits," allowing them to skip introductory freshman classes and graduate earlier.
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Universities in Japan: For students wishing to stay in Japan, A-Levels are a powerful asset. They are fully recognized for entrance into prestigious Japanese universities, particularly for English-medium programs (such as those at Waseda University, Keio University, Sophia University, Rikkyo University, and the University of Tokyo). Admissions officers in these programs look specifically for the high level of critical thinking and English proficiency that A-Level graduates possess.
Additional Examination Fees
Please note that external examination fees for the IGCSE (Year 11) and GCE A-Level (Year 13) programmes are not included in the standard school tuition. These fees are charged separately and vary based on the number of subject entries. For a detailed breakdown, please refer to the Tuition & Fees schedule.