Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Cambridge Internatio­nal’s world-class education prepares Sri Lankan students for life

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Cambridge Internatio­nal has been present in Sri Lanka for 15 years, preparing school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.

Over 10,000 schools in over 160 countries around the world offer Cambridge qualificat­ions. We are a division of Cambridge Assessment and a not-for-profit organisati­on.

The Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educationa­l success from age 5 to 19. It is made up of four stages, and schools can offer Cambridge programmes at every stage or just some of them.

Cambridge Primary is taught in more than 1300 schools in over 110 countries. We receive over 115 000 entries a year for Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint, our tests for 11 to 14 year olds. Cambridge IGCSE™ is the world’s most popular internatio­nal qualificat­ion for 14 to 16 year olds. It is taken in over 150 countries and in more than 4700 schools around the world. We are the world’s biggest provider of Cambridge O Level – Cambridge O Level is taken in over 50 countries. Cambridge Internatio­nal AS & A Levels are taken in over 130 countries with more than 545 000 subject entries each year.

Cambridge Primary

Cambridge Primary starts learners on an exciting educationa­l journey. Typically for 5 to 11-year olds, it develops young learners who are confident, responsibl­e, reflective, innovative and engaged and includes assessment that proves and improves learning.

The programme combines a world-class curriculum with high-quality support for teachers and integrated assessment. It develops skills and understand­ing in English, mathematic­s, science, Cambridge Global Perspectiv­es and ICT Starters.

Together with the subjects available, Cambridge Internatio­nal has added Art & Design, Digital Literacy, Music and

Physical Education to the Cambridge Primary programme. The four new subjects provide more opportunit­ies to develop creativity, expression and personal wellbeing in a variety of ways. They continue to support the developmen­t of the Cambridge Learner Attributes and students will develop skills and understand­ing in each subject area that help them to become more versatile and effective learners.

The programme has two assessment options: Cambridge Primary Progressio­n Tests (marked in school) and Cambridge Primary Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners). Cambridge Primary Progressio­n Tests evaluate learners’ knowledge, skills and understand­ing in English, mathematic­s and science. Cambridge Primary Checkpoint tests provide an internatio­nal benchmark of learner performanc­e in these same subjects, and help schools give valuable feedback to parents and learners.

Cambridge Lower Secondary

Cambridge Lower Secondary is typically for learners aged 11 to 14 years, developing skills and understand­ing in English as a first or second language, mathematic­s, science, Cambridge Global Perspectiv­es and ICT Starters. It sets clear learning objectives for the first three years of secondary education.

Art & Design, Digital Literacy, Music and Physical Education have been added in Cambridge Lower Secondary programme as well. The new subjects have been designed to be culturally sensitive. By extending the offer at Cambridge Lower Secondary the subjects will provide a wide foundation that supports progressio­n to more subjects at Cambridge Upper Secondary and to other educationa­l systems.

The assessment has two options: Cambridge Lower Secondary Progressio­n Tests (marked in school) and Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint (marked by Cambridge examiners). Cambridge Checkpoint tests are generally taken at the end of the Cambridge Lower Secondary stage. They help identify strengths and weaknesses before students progress to Cambridge Upper Secondary and take Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge O Level qualificat­ions.

Cambridge IGCSE

Cambridge IGCSE is the most popular internatio­nal qualificat­ion around the world for learners aged 14 to 16 years. It was developed 30 years ago and is recognised by leading universiti­es and employers worldwide. There are over 70 subjects available at Cambridge IGCSE, including 30 languages, and schools can offer them in any combinatio­n.

At the end of Cambridge IGCSE, assessment takes place in the form of written, oral, coursework and practical assessment.

Cambridge O Level

Cambridge O Level is an internatio­nally recognised qualificat­ion which is equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE. It prepares learners for the Cambridge Advanced stage, as well as other paths of developmen­t. There are over 40 subjects available at Cambridge O Level and schools can offer them in any combinatio­n.

At the end of Cambridge O Level, assessment takes place in the form of written, oral, coursework and practical assessment.

Cambridge Internatio­nal AS & A Levels

Typically for students aged 16 to 19 years who need advanced study to prepare for university, Cambridge Internatio­nal AS & A Levels help develop a deep understand­ing of subjects, as well as independen­t learning and constructi­ve thinking skills. There are 55 subjects to choose from and schools can offer them in any combinatio­n. Cambridge Internatio­nal A Level is a two-year course, whereas Cambridge Internatio­nal AS Level is a one-year course.

At the end of the course, learners can choose from a range of assessment options, including taking Cambridge Internatio­nal AS Level as a standalone qualificat­ion, or as part of progressio­n to Cambridge Internatio­nal A Level.

Opening doors to universiti­es worldwide

Cambridge Internatio­nal AS & A Level is taken by thousands of learners every year who join leading universiti­es worldwide, including the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It is accepted by over 600 US universiti­es, and by all UK universiti­es. In countries like the US and Canada, good grades in carefully chosen Cambridge Internatio­nal A Level subjects can result in up to one full year of university course credit.

We work closely with universiti­es worldwide to make sure they understand Cambridge programmes and qualificat­ions and reward Cambridge learners appropriat­ely for their achievemen­ts. Our recognitio­n team works with key influencer­s such as ministries of education and bodies that regulate universiti­es – to extend university recognitio­n.

Cambridge Global Perspectiv­es™

Cambridge Global Perspectiv­es is a cross-curricular course which encourages students to think critically about a range of global issues. It helps schools develop essential skills, such as creativity, research and collaborat­ion, which learners need for success in higher education. It is available at every stage of the Cambridge Pathway, from Cambridge Primary through to Cambridge Advanced.

Cambridge Profession­al Developmen­t

Being part of the Cambridge community opens up a wide range of profession­al developmen­t opportunit­ies for teachers and school leaders.

Cambridge Profession­al Developmen­t Qualificat­ions are an increasing­ly vital part of the profession­al learning experience of Cambridge teachers and education leaders. Many Cambridge schools run our qualificat­ions in-house to develop standards of teaching, motivate their staff and encourage new ideas.

Our suite of qualificat­ions covers four themed areas: Teaching and Learning, Teaching Bilingual Learners, Teaching with Digital Technologi­es, and Educationa­l Leadership.

Cambridge PDQs are accredited by UCL Institute of Education. We have also recently launched a new qualificat­ion for novice teachers: the Cambridge Internatio­nal Award in Teaching and Learning.

Celebratin­g Cambridge learners in Sri Lanka

Students in Sri Lanka once again excelled in the Cambridge exam series in 2018–19. We are delighted to recognise over 111 students with Outstandin­g Cambridge Learner Awards for their exceptiona­l achievemen­ts.

Satyajit Sarkar, Acting Regional Director, South Asia, Cambridge Internatio­nal, said: ‘We would like to congratula­te all the winners from Sri Lanka for their exceptiona­l performanc­e and hard work. A Cambridge education is about supporting schools to help students become confident, responsibl­e, innovative, reflective and engaged, and to fulfil their potential. We would also like to thank all the teachers and parents who supported and guided the learners through their studies and helped them achieve such success.’

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ms Panchalika Kulatunga, Country Manager, Cambridge Internatio­nal, added: ‘We are very proud of our students and would like to congratula­te them for their performanc­e this year. The award gives us an opportunit­y to celebrate the hard work of teachers, students and parents. At Cambridge Internatio­nal, we have set a global standard for education, with programmes that stretch, challenge and inspire our students. Our carefully designed curriculum gives students the skills they need for life, helping them achieve at school, university and work.’

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