University of Cambridge International Examinations is the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds. We are a part of Cambridge Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge and a not-for profit organisation. We are the only international exams group in the UK owned by a university. We invest constantly in research and development to bring the values of the University of Cambridge, trusted for excellence in education, into classrooms worldwide.
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Panchalika Kultatunga, Schools Development Manager for University of Cambridge International Examinations in Sri Lanka, |
We understand education. More than 9000 schools in over 160 countries are part of our Cambridge learning community. Understanding learners’ needs around the world means listening carefully to our community of schools, and we are pleased that 98% of Cambridge schools would recommend us to others. Our mission is to provide excellence in education, and our vision is that Cambridge learners become confident, responsible, innovative and engaged. We work closely with schools in Sri Lanka to help them deliver the best possible education to students.
Cambridge programmes and qualifications are recognised and valued by the world’s universities and employers. They are carefully designed to engage learners and give them solid foundations to achieve high levels of academic and personal attainment. Our approach is flexible, so schools can offer Cambridge at every stage of education or focus on specific stages. This means schools are free to build a unique curriculum which reflects their values. Our programmes and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds include:
Cambridge Primary
Cambridge Primary is an established and successful programme, typically for learners aged 5 to 11 years. It is taken in 78 countries worldwide, and taught in over 550 schools. The programme combines a world-class curriculum with high quality support for teachers and integrated assessment. It develops skills and understanding in English as a First and Second Language, mathematics and science.
Cambridge Primary Progression Tests help schools monitor learner progress during the programme so student learning needs can be addressed. They provide an international benchmark for learner performance and are also a valuable tool to report to parents. At the end of Cambridge Primary, learners can take Cambridge Primary Checkpoint. This new testing service gives feedback on learners’ strengths and weaknesses in the key curriculum areas of English, mathematics and science. The tests are marked by Cambridge and every learner receives a statement of achievement and diagnostic report. We developed Cambridge Primary Checkpoint in consultation with schools, modeling it on our successful Cambridge Checkpoint tests which have been available for 20 years.
Panchalika Kultatunga, Schools Development Manager for University of Cambridge International Examinations in Sri Lanka, says the programme’s flexibility and integrated assessments are popular with schools. She said: “We have a dedicated website for Cambridge Primary where schools can download progression tests at any time, and analyse results using the Cambridge Progress Checker.”
Cambridge Secondary 1
Cambridge Secondary 1 is typically for learners aged 11 to 14 years. It starts learners on an educational journey for their first few years of secondary education, developing skills and understanding in English as a First and Second Language, mathematics and science. It gives learners a solid foundation for later stages of education and includes integrated assessments.
At the end of Cambridge Secondary 1, learners can take Cambridge Checkpoint tests. These tests are marked by Cambridge and provide comprehensive feedback on learner performance. They are very popular with schools – Cambridge Checkpoint entries in the November 2011 series grew by 46% on the same series last year. Both Cambridge Primary Checkpoint and Cambridge Checkpoint give learners experience of taking international exams at a young age, building their confidence for the future.
Schools following the national curriculum in Sri Lanka can adopt Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary 1. They are flexible programmes that can be offered alongside the national curriculum. Alternatively private candidates can enter Cambridge Checkpoint and Cambridge Primary Checkpoint tests through the British Council.
Cambridge O Level
University of Cambridge International Examinations is the biggest provider of O Levels in the world. Cambridge O Level is taken in 80 countries and recognised as a reliable record of attainment by universities and employers worldwide, equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE and the UK GCSE. We have designed Cambridge O Levels especially for an international audience. They are sensitive to the needs of different countries and for learners whose first language may not be English. The curriculum also enables teaching to be placed in a localised context, making it relevant wherever you teach it.
Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. University of Cambridge International Examinations was the first exam board to develop IGCSE, over 25 years ago, and it now attracts entries from 144 countries. Cambridge IGCSE develops skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving and is recognised and valued by universities and employers worldwide. In June 2010 the UK government announced that IGCSE would be made available to state schools in England. Since then the popularity of Cambridge IGCSE has been growing fast in the UK, and it is now taught in 650 UK schools. Many Cambridge IGCSEs are approved by the qualifications regulator, Ofqual, for teaching in UK schools.
Cambridge International AS and A Level
Cambridge International AS and A Level is typically for learners aged 16 to 19 years who need advanced study to prepare for university and higher education. It develops a deep understanding of subjects, as well as independent learning and constructive thinking skills – abilities which universities value highly. It is available in 55 subjects and taken in over 125 countries.
Every year tens of thousands of learners use Cambridge International AS and A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide, including the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Over 450 US universities, all UK and European universities, and other universities around the world accept and recognise Cambridge International AS and A Levels. In places such as 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.
Panchalika Kultatunga says: “As well as world-class international education, we offer comprehensive support to schools. We host face-to-face training for Cambridge teachers in Sri Lanka and work closely with schools. Teachers can also take part in our online training, or take Cambridge Professional Development qualifications to develop their thinking and practice.
“Every year, Cambridge learners in Sri Lanka excel in their exams – receiving our Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards – and Cambridge teachers play a large part in their success.”
To learn more about Cambridge in Sri Lanka, go to www.cie.org.uk/srilanka
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