Open House April 2023
Chatsworth International School offers the academically-rigorous IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13.

IB Diploma Programme

At Chatsworth International School, we offer the academically-rigorous IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Years 12 and 13, preparing students for life beyond high school and admission to universities around the world.

IB Diploma in Singapore

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is offered to students in Years 12 and 13 (Grades 11-12). It is a challenging programme that offers a broad and rigorous international curriculum and is the basis of study for the final two years at Chatsworth. The programme is designed to prepare high school students for further education at the tertiary level in Singapore, but is also a very valuable qualification in its own right. Recognised and respected by the world’s leading universities, the IB Diploma is an internationally recognised qualification for admission to universities and higher education.

The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core components, comprising the extended essay, theory of knowledge (TOK) and creativity, activity, service (CAS). High school students taking DP Course take six subjects and are required to meet all the CAS obligations. Interested in enrolling your child into an IB World School in Singapore? Get started in our application process today.

Visit the IBO Website for more information on the IB Diploma Programme and DP Course.

Chatsworth High School Diploma

All students who earn the requisite credits graduate from Chatsworth International School with the Chatsworth High School Diploma. Our high school diploma is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is widely accepted for admission to post-school programmes. In Years 12 and 13 students either take the DP Course or the IB Diploma pathway to enable them to earn credits for graduation.

IB Diploma Programme Assessment

In our IB Diploma Programme, students choose three Standard Level (SL) and three Higher Level (HL) subjects. SL subjects offer foundational knowledge whereas at HL students require both a deeper and broader understanding of the subject matter. Students receive semester grades on the IB 1-7 scale, communicated through end-of-semester reports made available to parents and guardians through Managebac, the school’s academic portal. These are supplemented by mid-semester progress reports detailing their ongoing performance in the programme. For DP students, these mid-semester reports include an overall 1-7 grade. Note that only semester grades are recorded in a student’s permanent record (ie. transcripts for Years 10 - 13). Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are scheduled  after the release of mid-semester progress reports so parents can address any concerns with their child’s teachers.

In terms of scoring, students can attain a maximum of 42 points from their six subjects. Two of  the core components - the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, contribute up to three additional points, making the maximum score 45. A minimum of 24 points is required to pass. Students need to meet the requirements of the third core component - Creativity, Activity, Service - in order to be awarded the IB Diploma.

In addition to achievement grades, students are also evaluated on five skill categories from the IB Approaches to Learning (ATLs): Communication, Social, Self-Management, Research and Thinking. The evaluation of these skills is conducted by subject teachers and feedback is  communicated through teacher comments on assessment tasks and reports. Students also self-assess their ATL performance in their reflections.

There are two Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (PTSCs) yearly to discuss reports, progress, and student goals. On PTSC days, regular classes are suspended to facilitate these discussions.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the school at any time to discuss the student’s progress or any concerns they may have.

IB Diploma Programme Subjects

Subject Groups

Subjects Offered

Group One: Studies in Language & Literature

  • Language A:  Language and Literature HL/SL

  • Language A:  Literature (School Supported Self-taught) SL

Group Two: Language Acquisition

  • English B HL

  • French B HL/SL

  • Mandarin B HL/SL

  • Spanish B SL (Pamoja, extra fees apply)

  • Spanish Ab Initio SL

  • French Ab Initio SL (Pamoja, extra fees apply)

  • Mandarin Ab Initio SL (Pamoja, extra fees apply)

Group Three: Individuals and Societies

  • Economics HL/SL

  • History HL/SL

  • Geography HL/SL

  • Psychology HL/SL (Pamoja, extra fees apply)

  • Business Management HL/SL (Pamoja, extra fees apply)

Group Four: Experimental Science

  • Biology HL/SL

  • Chemistry HL/SL

  • Physics HL/SL

Group Five: Mathematics

  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL/SL

  • Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL

Group Six: The Arts

  • Music HL/SL* 

  • Theatre HL/SL*

  • Visual Art HL/SL

*Either Music or Theatre will be offered subject to sufficient student numbers. The school will finalise this after reviewing student subject selections

Note: Subjects are offered subject to sufficient student demand. Chatsworth reserves the right to amend subject offerings at any time.

The Extended Essay (EE)

The Extended Essay (EE) is one of the core components of the IB Diploma Programme. It offers high school students the opportunity to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the IB subjects they are studying. The EE emphasises the importance of intellectual discovery and creativity, resulting in a 4,000-word research paper.

Students embark on the EE journey in Year 12 and complete it in Year 13, dedicating themselves to a topic that not only interests them but also aligns with their academic pursuits. Throughout this process, they develop skills in formulating questions, conducting comprehensive research, and structuring a coherent and scholarly piece of writing.

Examples of Extended Essays that our students have undertaken include analyses of literary works, investigations into historical events, explorations of scientific phenomena, and studies in economics and business. Students are supported by a supervisor who guides them in developing their research question and methodology. The commitment to their chosen topic is usually for at least six months, allowing them to delve deeply into their subject area and produce a substantial and reflective piece of work.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is at the heart of the IB Diploma Programme. It offers high school students an experiential learning environment through a range of different activities. CAS reflects the importance of having a balanced lifestyle that incorporates creative and physical pursuits in addition to helping others, especially the less fortunate.

Students are expected to be involved in CAS activities for 3 - 4 hours a week in a range of balanced activities. This provides a balance to the academic rigour of other subjects. CAS continues throughout Years 12 and 13 and all students must satisfy the requirements of CAS in order to be awarded the Chatsworth High School Diploma and the IB Diploma. CAS is organised around the three strands of creativity, activity and service defined as follows.

Creativity - exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance.

Examples of these creative activities that our students have been involved in are teaching art to young people, oil painting courses, learning a new language, learning or teaching dance, drama productions, singing, and creating newsletters or websites that are useful to others in some way. Students must show a commitment to a chosen creative project and involvement must be for no less than three months.

Activity - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

Examples of these physical activities that our students have been involved in are rock-climbing, figure skating, badminton, coaching teams, scuba diving. Students must show a commitment to a chosen action project and involvement must be for no less than 3 months.

Service - collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need.

Examples of these service activities that our students have been involved in are: Riding for the Disabled, Child at Street 11 (non-profit making school for low income families), Tabitha (Cambodia), Action for Singapore Dogs, Blue Dragon Children’s foundation (Vietnam), working with younger students at school both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) encourages students to explore and question the nature of knowledge and how we claim to know what we know. It is an interdisciplinary course designed to stimulate critical thinking and reflection, and challenges students to consider the role of knowledge in both the academic disciplines and the wider world.

In Years 12 and 13, students engage in discussions and inquiries that cross disciplinary boundaries. The course covers areas of knowledge, such as mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences, history, the arts, and ethics. Students explore ways of knowing, including language, sense perception, emotion, reason, imagination, faith, intuition, and memory.

The TOK course culminates in two main assessments: an essay on a prescribed title and an exhibition on a knowledge issue of the student’s choice. These assessments challenge students to apply their TOK skills in real-world contexts, thus fostering a deeper understanding of the nature and importance of knowledge in their lives and in society.

University Advising

Chatsworth International School believes in a student-centred approach to the university research and application process, ensuring that students take an active role in their post-secondary journey. They are responsible for exploring universities, submitting applications, adhering to deadlines, paying fees, registering for standardised tests, and making final acceptance decisions. While family involvement is crucial in decision-making, the initiative in researching and applying to universities primarily rests with the student.

Selecting the right university involves considering various factors like admission requirements, location, cost, available courses, teaching methods, and extracurricular opportunities to ensure a well-rounded experience. The University Advisor is available to guide and assist students so they can make well-informed decisions regarding their university applications.

University Visits and Fairs 

Chatsworth regularly hosts university visits and informs students and parents about upcoming education fairs at other international schools, convention centres, or institutions in Singapore. While we do not endorse specific colleges or universities, we welcome an array of global institutions to share their programmes. These visits are often university-initiated and scheduled based on availability. We support students in making well-informed decisions by exposing them to a variety of universities and their offerings, complementing their independent research.

Features of Chatsworth's IB Diploma Programme

  • Provides diverse experiential learning opportunities and a supportive environment where high school students fulfil their mandatory Creative, Action and Service requirement for the IB diploma.
  • Offers the opportunity to undertake and earn a Bilingual Diploma in Singapore.
  • Recommends and guides students to make a more informed decision in their search and application to universities through our university advising services.
  • A dedicated Student Services team supports students' well-being throughout their academically rigorous learning journey.
  • Provides opportunities for students to gain valuable life skills and insights from seminars by guest speakers, preparing students for life beyond high school.
  • Engages, motivates and supports students as part of our pastoral programme in which they develop attributes which will help them to succeed in the world after school.
DP students studying and interacting with each other