The Curriculum of Hope School Phnom Penh

Hope School offers an international core curriculum compatible with the Australian, New Zealand, North American and United Kingdom Education systems. The curriculum is objective led, being based upon clearly defined, progressive learning objectives. Such objectives have been developed using the expertise and experience of teachers from a range of educational backgrounds, in a range of English speaking countries. All disciplines are taught with a biblical worldview.

We are an accredited University of Cambridge International Examination Centre and offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Subsidiary Level Qualifications (AS Level) to our senior students.

Hope International School is also accredited with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Primary School curriculum

The Primary School curriculum has been recently reviewed and the Interact Curriculum was adopted in August 2010. This is a biblically based integrated curriculum which develops thinking skills, faith and character.

The Primary School curriculum includes:

  • Maths
  • English/ESL
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Physical Education
  • Computing
  • Music
  • Art and Design
  • Christian Perspectives
  • Khmer

High School curriculum

The High School curriculum continues on from the Primary curriculum with the following modifications:

  • French replaces Khmer
  • Geography and Global Perspectives are introduced in Year 10.

International certification

The High School curriculum provides the students with internationally recognized qualifications:

IGCSE

Commenced in year 10 and undertaken for two years.

AS Levels

Commenced in year 12 and undertaken for two years.

The High School curriculum is currently under review and as such is subject to change.

Quality teaching

Quality teaching instruction is delivered by Christians from a variety of nations, all of whom have a home country professional teaching qualification. Quality instruction includes planning, delivering, and assessing learning opportunities which will help to scaffold the next steps of learning for each child. It means addressing the needs of the whole child; academically, socially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Academic success is valued, but only alongside the goal of developing well rounded social beings. Students should experience a rich and varied learning environment as they move through the school. 

Assessment

Assessment is closely linked to the learning objectives, and clear criteria are given to make accurate judgments of ability.  This is done in a way which can be interpreted by professionals from different countries making transfer from Hope easier. IGCSE and AS level assessments are provided further in accordance with the stipulations of Cambridge University.

Biblical worldview

Biblical integration happens in two main ways, planned and unplanned integrative experiences. Teachers aim to reflect the love of God in their relationships with the students, and try to incorporate a biblical worldview into their teaching where appropriate. Students are encouraged to explore their faith and develop their personal worldview from a biblical perspective.

Instructional language

The school is English speaking, and students are expected to communicate in English at all times, unless instructed by their teacher.

 

English and ESL at Hope

Students who attend Hope School represent 31 different nationalities. Approximately 50% of students come from non English speaking homes, however 25% percent have achieved a level of fluency in English such that that ESL is no longer an issue for their learning.

Hope tries to protect this ratio as it impacts everyone, English speakers as well as English Language learners.

The policy in school is to encourage English as the language of communication, so students are expected to speak English in class and in the playground.

Targets are set for English learning, and regular assessments are made of progress.

 

Catering for individual needs at Hope

At Hope we believe that:

  • all children are created equal by God.
  • God has given us all different strengths and weaknesses which can be used by Him equally for his will.
  • all children should be provided with the opportunity to reach their potential academically, socially and spiritually.
  • children with Special Educational needs should be included within a mainstream setting wherever possible.
  • all the people working at Hope International School have a part to play in the education of the children.

 

Evaluating students needs:

  • Needs of the individual child are assessed using a variety of different tools after the teacher has voiced a cause for concern.
  • The content of the curriculum can either then be modified or supported by extra resource and documented in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for that area.
  • The IEP is revisited every semester and targets will be added or changed depending on the child successfully achieving those set previously by the teacher or special education coordinator.