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Secondary and Advanced

Education in our Secondary School is based on both the Cambridge and Russian state curricula. The Secondary School is divided into two parts: Lower Secondary, which includes Year 7 to Year 9 (ages 11-13), and Upper Secondary, which includes Year 10 to Year 11 (ages 14-15).

Students continue to study the same subjects as in Cambridge Primary:

  • English (first or second language)
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities
  • Global Perspectives
  • Digital Literacy
  • Physical Education
  • Music
  • Art

Each subject has a framework and programme of study and is supported by high-quality textbooks which are endorsed by Cambridge.

After joining the Lower Secondary School, students go through a period of adaptation and transition to subject learning. At this level of education, we focus on the development of independence, develop critical thinking skills in our students, as well as the ability to analyse, synthesise and interpret the information received.

Secondary School students get more opportunities to show leadership, but at the same time—more responsibility for their own learning. By the end of Year 9, students should be able to make an informed choice of subjects for the next stage of their education, based on their experience of studying the full spectrum of subjects in Lower Secondary School.

Cambridge Upper Secondary

Starting from Year 10, students get the opportunity to choose subjects from a fairly large number of options.

English, Mathematics and Science are considered core subjects, and therefore, it is the school’s decision that all students continue to study these subjects. At the same time, there are different levels for each of the core subjects, the choice of which is carried out both at the request of the family and according to the recommendations of the School teaching staff.

The remaining subjects are studied by choice, and each student can independently decide which disciplines to choose from options offered by the school in a concrete academic year. Based on the universal standard, for each student the examination minimum is 5 subjects. Given the simultaneous study of the subjects of the Russian programme, we do not recommend choosing more than 6–7 subjects at this level. The Cambridge International offers more than 70 different subjects at the IGCSE level, including a large number of foreign languages.

In addition to the choice of subjects at the IGCSE level students first encounter the concept of “study time”, during which everyone engages in individual and project work within the selected subjects, works on writing essays, creative tasks and research in areas designated by teachers.

The study programme of each subject covers two years (Year 10 and Year 11). The order of the course is decided upon by the teacher, who may make that decision based on previous knowledge of the class. Consequently, the transition from course to course at the end of the Year 10 can be difficult — most of the educational programme will already be covered by the group.

In Year 11 after the winter break, a series of mock exams takes place. This approach allows us to assess the level of students’ readiness, predict their exam results and identify topics that need to be reviewed and analysed in more detail before students encounter the real exam.

The choice of subjects begins at the end of Year 9, where the School acts as a mediator between family and child, giving its methodological recommendations based on the student’s previous successes, career aspirations and interests.

Cambridge Advanced

The Cambridge Advanced or A Level programme is the advanced, higher level of the Cambridge International programme, followed by Year 12 and Year 13 students (16-19 years). If they successfully fulfil all the requirements of the Advanced programme, graduates receive the globally recognised and highly regarded diploma, which is a certificate of international education that meets global standards. This programme enables students to fully understand the gist of any subject and develops independent thinking in them.

Heritage School follows a programme which is recognised and valued by the most prestigious universities around the globe and which develops students’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas:

  • a thorough understanding of any subject
  • independent thinking
  • application of the knowledge and understanding of new, as well as familiar, situations
  • logical thinking and presenting coherent arguments
  • making estimates and decisions
  • working and communicating in English

Upon successfully completing the Advanced/A Level programme (finishing Year 13), students can obtain the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma. The Cambridge AICE diploma is an invaluable passport not only to further development at the most reputable universities around the world, but also to jobs in leading companies worldwide.