High School (G9-12) - Dover Campus

In Grade 9 students will embark on an academic learning programme that consists of UWCSEA designed and assessed courses. Set within the UWCSEA holistic learning programme, we provide students with an academically challenging programme that allows them to pursue individual interests while engaging in transdisciplinary conceptual learning. The programme is designed to provide excellent preparation for the UWCSEA High School Diploma and the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12.

This balanced international curriculum is suitable for students of all nationalities and a wide range of abilities.The UWCSEA programme has been specifically designed with the IBDP expectations in mind: the IBDP is recognised by universities and employers around the world as evidence of academic ability. The academic programme is one of five interlinking elements of the UWCSEA learning programme which includes academics, activities, outdoor education, personal and social education and service. UWCSEA students are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the learning programme which gives them multiple opportunities to develop the qualities and skills of the UWCSEA profile. 

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English as an Additional Language (EAL)

All students are supported in developing academic language skills as part of our learning programme. Our EAL team co-plan with teaching teams to provide this universal support.

Within the Grade 9/10 Programme students who require additional support can access a scaffolded version of the UWC English course. Running both English classes concurrently allows students to transition between them as needed.

Students select an additional language. They are encouraged to take their first language, and/or they may select a foreign language course from the available options.
 

All students are granted a UWCSEA High School Diploma upon graduation at the end of Grade 12, provided they meet the requirements for the award, which are based on criteria linked with the UWCSEA learning programme. This means that to achieve the UWCSEA High School Diploma, our students need to have demonstrated a sustained commitment to service learning and outdoor education; made the most of opportunities offered through our activities programme; meaningfully contributed to personal and social education through their mentor groups; and met the minimum academic requirements.

In addition, the vast majority of students joining us in Grade 11 undertake the two-year IB Diploma. Respected by universities throughout the world, our IB Diploma Programme has been developed in close collaboration with the IBO for over 30 years.

UWCSEA Dover was the first school in Asia to offer the IB Diploma and has the most extensive offering of subject options available to students in a classroom setting in Singapore. IB Systems Transformation: Leadership for Change is an innovative new double standard level course, designed by UWCSEA in partnership with the IB, and is for students looking for further challenge and authentic, project-based experiences in their learning journey. This course will also help shift the IB Diploma worldwide towards a more flexible model with more real-world learning, more authentic assessment and greater student agency. 

While the majority of our students enrol in the full IB Diploma, UWCSEA also offers Certificate Courses and this is an excellent option for students looking for greater flexibility and choice.

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English as An Additional Language (EAL)

We offer both English A (first language) and English B (foreign language). Students select an additional language. They are encouraged to take their first language (Language A), and/or they may select a foreign language course (Language B) from the available options. If they choose to take Systems Transformation for SL they can opt to take either language A or language B.
For students who require additional or intensified support we offer short term language instruction. Additional first, home or heritage languages are offered through the Home Language Programme (HLP). 
 

Feedback and reporting

Students and parents are provided constructive feedback on all areas of the students progress and attainment with regular reports and opportunities for informal and formal feedback at scheduled times throughout the four years of High School.

Student musicians have the opportunity to participate in a number of music ensembles and perform in five or six concerts per year, which in the past has included annual concerts OPUS at the Esplanade Theatre, and the end of year .

The extensive Instrumental Teaching Programme offers access to music lessons outside the academic curriculum on a wide variety of instruments. Instrument hire is also available.

Dance performance opportunities include the annual student-led UN Night production in Term 1 which celebrates the diverse community of cultures on campus, and the High School Dance Show featuring genres such as Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock and Roll and Asian dance forms. These are auditioned performances and student performers and choreographers are supported by teachers from the Dance and Drama Departments.

Performance opportunities are plentiful through the number of drama and dance productions throughout the year. Students do not need to be taking Arts subjects to be involved in these performances, nor do they need to be on stage as there are opportunities to work behind the scenes on lighting, sound and costume design. Students are invited to audition for a number of drama productions throughout the year. The performances are supported by teachers from the Drama Department.

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Many other activities are designed to appeal to students with other talents and special interests such as audio engineering, lion dancing, creative writing and journalism, short film-making, photography and more. 

There are opportunities to participate in activities such as Model United Nations conferences (in Singapore and overseas) and the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA), which is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. There is also an array of formal and informal leadership opportunities for students.

Students will find a plethora of clubs and special interests available. These include inter-school debating, groups exploring subjects such as economics, history, mathematics and philosophy; creative writing, journalism and student publications.

The strong sports programme includes representative opportunities in badminton, basketball, climbing, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics (girls), hockey, netball (girls), rugby (boys), sailing, softball, swimming, tennis, touch football and volleyball. 

A number of other sports, such as martial arts and rock climbing, are offered on a recreational basis.

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In addition to developmental and recreation sports opportunities in the disciplines in which Dover Phoenix fields competitive teams, a number of other sports, such as fencing and ultimate (Frisbee), are offered on a recreational basis in addition to activities such as fitness, yoga, dance and meditation.

We offer a variety of choices, which take place during school holidays throughout the year. Students travel with their East Campus peers, our Outdoor Education specialists and accompanying UWCSEA staff. Past options have included:

• Diving in Indonesia or Maldives
• Eco-research in Borneo (Malaysia)
• Mountain biking in Thailand
• Sea kayaking off Sibu (Malaysia)
• Tall ship sailing in Australia or Malaysia
• Trekking in Ladakh (India), Bhutan, Hong Kong, Annapurna (Nepal), Chamonix (France), Wales (UK), Canada or Japan

Students participate in an expedition with their Foundation IB cohort, accompanied by UWCSEA Outdoor Education staff and their mentors and teachers. The trips involve both adventure and service components—previously, students have travelled to Pulau Tioman in Malaysia or Bintan in Indonesia. While the destination may change, students are given the chance to push themselves out of their comfort zones, and to celebrate their tenacity and resilience. 

The expedition is designed to help the cohort bond and to prepare them for the challenges of Project Week. 

Students are trusted to take themselves out of their comfort zone, giving them opportunities to gain invaluable life skills, greater independence and responsibility. 

Project Week involves students independently organising themselves to travel in small groups to undertake a service project or challenging activity, often outside Singapore. Many projects are linked with our Service programme and are planned to assist students fulfil their IBDP CAS requirement. 

Students are carefully prepared in advance through a months-long programme, and must demonstrate readiness to travel after following full participation in the extensive guidance and preparation training, which includes first aid instruction, risk assessment and travel and trip planning. WhIle away, students have access to 24-hour international medical and travel support services.

Some students in Grades 9 and 10 are able to elect to travel on a second expedition if additional spaces are available on the Grade 9 adventure programme.

Previously, a number of fully-supervised optional trips have been offered during the school holidays which are linked with the academic element of our learning programme. Running in alternate years these have included:

• Cultural immersion tours to China, Taiwan, France or Spain for students of Chinese, French or Spanish language
• History trip to Germany

Students support and lead other students undertaking their own service projects, provide sports leadership or coaching or work alongside their peers and younger students on environmental sustainability projects.They are responsible for organising community events, approving new Services, leading workshops, and up-skilling their peers. 

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Dover Campus has long standing partnerships with many Singaporean community organisations such as MINDS, Riding for the Disabled, ACRES, Beyond Services and H.O.M.E. Our High School students join one of more than 30 projects linked with our partners in the Singapore community, volunteering once a week after school for at least half the academic year in Grades 9 and 10, and for the entire academic year in Grade 11.

Students use their skills and interests to enrich the lives of local communities and vice versa. They investigate the needs of the community and take informed direct action. This provides invaluable connections with the local Singaporean community and builds empathy for the varied life experiences of Singaporeans. 

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Global Concerns Services give students the opportunity to build partnerships with grassroots non-government organisations (NGOs) whose influence or work outside of Singapore. 

Students are involved in researching, advocating, fundraising, and taking informed direct action, for example during Grade 11 Project Week and other optional service trips. These experiences give students the opportunity to listen and learn about new cultures and appreciate different perspectives on the challenges faced by NGOs and the communities they serve. 
 
Grade 11 students can also join the Initiative for Peace, spending a year planning and organising a conference that promotes international understanding and reconciliation between youths in Singapore, Timor Leste, or Thailand.

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