The King's School Shenzhen

has officially been accredited by

Cambridge Assessment

International Education!

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) is a subsidiary of the University of Cambridge and the only examination board fully owned by a top-tier university in the world. CAIE sets and oversees standardised examinations and vocational qualifications in over 10,000 schools in more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

As one of the most influential and reputable examination boards for international education in the world, CAIE boasts a high degree of global recognition and a high degree of adaptability in its curriculum. Obtaining official accreditation from CAIE not only shows that The King's School Shenzhen's international curriculum, academic provision, and facilities have gained international approval, which means that KSS has access to even more high-quality teaching and assessment resources. With the endorsement of CAIE, KSS will continue to offer students a comprehensive and in-depth curriculum, providing them with a strong academic basis for their university applications.

The King's School Shenzhen uses the Cambridge International Curriculum as a framework, with elements from The King's School Canterbury's distinctive curriculum and the Chinese national curriculum integrated to meet the diverse educational needs of our students.

The Cambridge International Curriculum sets clear learning objectives and focuses on developing knowledge and skills across a range of subjects, laying a solid foundation for students' further education. Core subjects include Art and Design, Computer Science, Digital Literacy, English (as a Second Language), Global Perspectives, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, and Science.

Although KSS is an international school with a primarily foreign teaching staff, great emphasis is placed on Chinese language learning. The King's academic team has a deep understanding of the Chinese national curriculum and its standards, and provides students with specialised China Studies and Chinese Language and Literature classes, as well as teaching Mathematics in Chinese. This allows students not only to learn Mathematics, one of the subjects that the Chinese curriculum excels in, but also to systematically study the language, history, and culture of China, thereby fostering understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.

The King's Curriculum aims to fully develop students' characters and qualities. Subjects such as Design and Technology, Drama, Robotics, Programming, and Sport are offered for all students to participate in. King's encourages every student to challenge and express themselves.

The curriculum at King's Senior School primarily consists of IGCSE (two-year/one-year) and A Level courses. It also includes guidance programmes provided by King's for senior students applying to prestigious global universities. The curriculum also allows students to gain an Independent Project Qualification (IPQ) by completing a research paper project.

The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum, developed by CAIE, is typically a two-year programme designed for students in Grades 9 and 10. It has become the most popular international diploma for secondary education in the world. At King's, we offer both the standard two-year IGCSE course and a bespoke one-year King's IGCSE course.

The flexible and comprehensive IGCSE curriculum helps improve students' overall academic performance and cognitive development. It enhances their creative thinking, questioning, and problem-solving skills, preparing them for further studies such as A Level courses.

Building on the close cooperation between the two schools, The King's School Shenzhen plans to introduce the one-year IGCSE course from the International College of The King's School Canterbury, aimed at outstanding students who have completed the equivalent of Grade 9 in the Chinese education system, and are about to start Grade 10. This course aims to provide a foundation for students to progress to A Level courses and pursue admission to their desired universities in the future.

The one-year course has a strong track record at King's Canterbury, where it has helped educate many students who gained admission to top universities in the UK and worldwide, including Oxford University, Cambridge University, Imperial College London, and the University of St Andrews.

*Please note: The one-year IGCSE course is intensive and requires advanced proficiency in English and strong academic ability.

The A Level course is a two-year programme for Grades 11-12. Alongside their main subjects, King's students can also choose a supporting subject based on their personal interests and future university degrees.

In 2018, CAIE introduced a version of the IPQ (Independent Project Qualification) which is more suitable for international students. The IPQ provides international students with an advantage in their applications to prestigious universities.

The IPQ has no specific subject limitations and does not involve any exams. It encourages students to choose the topic of their project according to their own interests. By carrying out the research for their project and writing the report, students gain the following benefits:

• IPQ grades can be used for undergraduate university applications worldwide;

• The IPQ counts for up to 28 Tariff Points in UCAS;

• Many universities prioritise or lower admission requirements for students with IPQ certificates;

• The IPQ can be used as supporting material for personal statements or university application essays.

During the IPQ course, King's places great emphasis on developing students' independent thinking, academic writing in English, public speaking skills, creative thinking, and project management skills. Through the IPQ, students lay a strong foundation for future study abroad, enabling them to adapt to university life more quickly, and to stand out among their peers more easily.