The Early Years are a critical stage of development for every child. During this time children develop rapidly physically, socially, intellectually and emotionally. The Early Years Foundation Stage is about building on what children already know and learning key skills such as listening, speaking, concentration, persistence and working together. It is also about developing the early communication, literacy and numeracy skills that prepare our pupils for Key Stage 1. Our Reception class (age 4/5) is led by a qualified Early Years teacher and supported by Teaching Assistants. The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of six areas of learning and development:

1. Personal, Social and Emotional development (PSED)
2. Communication, Language and Literacy (CLL)
3. Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy (PSRN)
4. Knowledge and Understanding of the World (KUW)
5. Physical development (PD)
6. Creative development (CD)

The curriculum in Year One (age 5/6) is being designed to progress smoothly from the Foundation Stage. It extends the pupils academically whilst ensuring breadth and balance in the activities on offer. Independent decision making and learning become areas focus at this stage. The children study a range of topics, which are linked to the National Curriculum, but also take into consideration the nature of an international school in Malaysia.

The pupils in Year Two (age 6/7) follow a curriculum that extends beyond the requirements of the New English National Curriculum to provide an exciting and interesting year. Research and presentation skills come increasingly to the fore.

During Year Two the children are encouraged to become much more independent in work and personal responsibility. There are a wide range of activities provided by fully qualified staff in a well-structured day that enable each child to reach his or her own potential. There is also be a full range of after school clubs on offer.

In both EYFS and Key Stage 1 specialist teachers enrich the curriculum for the pupils in such subjects as Mandarin, Malay, Spanish, Music, Drama and PE.

This Key Stage consists of Year 3 (age 7/8), Year 4 (age 8/9), Year 5 (age 9/10) and Year 6 (age 10/11). Teaching is based on the New English National Curriculum. The curriculum will also reflect the international nature of the school with Mandarin being taught to all. The Humanities syllabus also includes local study projects. In Years 3 and 4 the Form Teacher is central to the everyday education of pupils, though there is more specialist teacher input with more movement around the Preparatory School for lessons. Academic setting becomes more formal in Lower Prep.

Pupils begin to compete in internal and external sporting fixtures.

From Year 5, the pupils are set academically in English, Mathematics and Science. Each subject is now taught by a specialist with the Form Tutor taking more of a pastoral role. Emphasis is increasingly placed on preparation for entry to the Senior School.

Subjects:

English, Mathematics, Science, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Malay, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Design Technology, Drama, Information Technology (IT), Music, Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Physical Education (PE).

In preparation for entry to the Senior School, the ISEB Common Entrance Course is followed. This adds academic rigour beyond the National Curriculum. We continue to adapt and enrich our pupils’ studies according to the context of their education in an international school in Malaysia. For example, Mandarin Chinese is the major foreign language, and individual subjects may often include relevant local material.

Subjects:

English, Mathematics, Science, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Malay, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Design Technology, Drama, Information Technology (IT), Music, Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Physical Education (PE).

During these years pupils study towards externally assessed examinations known as International General Certificates of Education (IGCSEs).  At the end of the course each IGCSE is graded on a scale from A* to G. All pupils study the core subjects and then choose four option subjects.

Core subjects

English – Final examinations in English Language and English Literature

Mathematics – Final examinations in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (for top set pupils)

Science – Final examinations are either Double Science or separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Option Subjects.  Pupils choose four options.

Option 1 – Additional Language

Bahasa Malay – offered as First Language (GCE O Level) and Foreign Language IGCSE.

Mandarin – offered as First, Second and Foreign Language

French – Foreign Language

Spanish – Foreign Language

Option 2 – Humanity

Economics

Geography

History

Religious Studies

Option 3 and 4

Two of an additional humanity, another language or

Art

Computer Science

Design Technology

Drama

Music

Physical Education

In August 2014 MCM began the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with our first cohort of pupils. This is a coherent and balanced programme of study that maintains breadth but allows for specialisation.

The IB Diploma requires pupils to study one subject from each of five groups and one other, plus completing the core aspects of Creativity, Action and Service, the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.  Three of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level and the other three at Standard Level. At the conclusion of the courses each subject is given a points score, with 7 being the best down to 1. Extra points, to a maximum of 3 will be awarded for performance in the core aspects.  This gives a maximum possible score of 45 points.

Group 1 First Language (Literature)

Most pupils study English Literature.  We also offer Mandarin Literature, or pupils may choose to do a self study course in their mother tongue, although this can only be done at Standard Level.

Group 2 Foreign Language

There are two types of language course:

Language B – designed for pupils with prior proficiency in the language.  We offer Bahasa Malay (Standard Level only), English, French, Mandarin and Spanish.

Ab Initio – designed for pupils with little current knowledge or who are new to the language.  Ab Initio languages can only be taken at Standard Level. We offer Bahasa Malay, French, Mandarin and Spanish.

Group 3 Humanities

In this group we offer Business and Management, Economics, Geography, History and Psychology.

Group 4 Sciences

In this group we offer Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Physics and Sports Exercise and Health Science (Standard Level only).

Group 5 Mathematics

Pupils must do one of three Mathematics courses.  Higher Level Mathematics is for the most able, Standard Level Mathematics for those who will need some Mathematics for their degree course and Mathematical Studies Standard Level.

Group 6    Option

Pupils may select an additional language, another humanity, an second science, or one of Music, Theatre Arts or Visual Arts.

An example option choice for a pupil planning on studying Medicine at university may be Higher Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, together with Standard Levels in English Literature, Ab Initio French and Geography.  A pupil wishing to study Law could choose Higher Levels in English, History and Theatre Arts, together with Standard Levels in Bahasa Malay Language B, Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences and Mathematical Studies.