High School (G9–12)

Students joining the College in Grade 9 start the two-year International General Certificate of Secondary Education (I)GCSE programme which encompasses an exciting mixture of prescribed and free-choice subjects. Set within the holistic UWCSEA learning programme, we aim to ensure that students are extremely well prepared for the IB Diploma Programme. 

UWCSEA has selected the (I)GCSE courses we offer based on the relevance of course content to our students and its capacity to prepare them for the international nature of the IB Diploma programme and its assessment process. The programme has external assessments, and our learning programme is carefully designed to offer the necessary support and preparation to ensure success at the end of Grade 10 and into the next stage of schooling.

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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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The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is offered to students joining us in Grade 11 for their final two years of schooling. Importantly, students are also granted a UWCSEA High School Diploma should they meet the requirements for the award, which are based on criteria linked with the UWCSEA learning programme. 

Respected by universities throughout the world, the UWCSEA East IB Diploma Programme benefits from a number of senior contributors to IB curriculum development. While the majority of our students enrol in the full IB Diploma, UWCSEA also offers IB Diploma Programme Courses for students who meet our entrance criteria.

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Students have the opportunity to participate in a number of musical and vocal ensembles and perform in several concerts per year, even if they are not taking music as an elective subject. Some of the ensembles include High School Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo and Orchestra and Symphonic Band, the Pamberi All Stars African music ensemble, and several percussion groups focusing on drumming, marimba, mbira and more. 

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 CultuRama production in Term 1 which celebrates the ‘panorama of cultures’ on campus, and a Dance Showcase featuring genres such as Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock and Roll and Asian dance forms. 

Students are invited to audition for a number of drama productions throughout the year. They do not need to be taking drama as an elective subject to be involved—nor do they need to be on stage, as there are opportunities backstage such as costume and set design. The performances are supported by teachers from the Drama Department.

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Students with diverse interests and talents will find a plethora of clubs and special interests available, with previous offerings utilising our academic spaces such as the Design and Technology classrooms and the neighbouring Community Lab. This gives our students the opportunity to further their interests with like minded peers. Other previous activities have included digital arts, music technology and photography; cooking, robotics and more. 

Students have ample opportunity to develop leadership skills through participation in groups such as Student Council, Arts Council, Sports Council, the Service Executive Committee and Model United Nations (MUN) as well as the organising committee for the annual student-led MUN@UWCSEA. Other leadership activities available include College services such as coaching sports for Primary School 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 representative sports programme includes opportunities in badminton, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, netball (girls), rugby (boys), sailing, softball, swimming, tennis, touch rugby (girls) track and field, 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 the Dragons field competitive teams, a number of other sports, such as martial arts and rock climbing, are offered on a recreational basis.

We offer a variety of choices, which take place during school holidays throughout the year. Students travel with their Dover Campus peers. 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. 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 prepared in advance and must demonstrate readiness to travel 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.

There are also a number of fully-supervised optional trips offered during the school holidays which are linked with the academic element of our learning programme. Previously these have, for example, included:

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

East Campus also has also previously offered a number of Service focussed trips for High School students to visit NGO partners in the region and further afield. Previous trips have visited Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Based on the campus, these projects fall into three categories: Conscious Consumption, Conservation, and Permaculture. The initiatives provide our students an opportunity to create deep understanding using real life situations as they consider ways to protect, connect and nurture our planet. Students take part in a range of programmes and learn about many aspects of Singapore’s natural environment; for example: education about at risk endemic plant species in Singapore, organic cultivation and companion planting. 

UWCSEA has long-standing partnerships with Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) in Singapore. High School 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 can vary from computer skills training, to helping people with mental health issues reintegrate into society, to music therapy for people with dementia. These Services address local issues that focus on mental health, income inequality, the aging population, and inclusion for persons with disabilities. 

High School students also lead Focus Groups that raise awareness and advocate for human rights issues and social justice. Students partner with local and global organisations to organise awareness and advocacy campaigns. Past campaigns have focused on the refugee crisis, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and HIV Aids de-stigmatisation. 

Global Concerns Services give students the opportunity to build partnerships with grassroots Non-government Organisations (NGOs) outside of Singapore. 

Students are involved in researching, advocating, fundraising, and taking informed direct action 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.

To support the implementation of the High School Service and Sustainable Development programme there is a group of appointed student leaders. These students have a deep understanding of the Service learning process and tools. They are responsible for organising community events, approving new Services, leading workshops, and upskilling their peers.