The emphasis is on a broad curriculum that develops and nurtures talent. Most subjects follow a spiral curriculum, meaning that they keep coming back to similar ideas but that these are reinforced and increase in complexity as students move up through the school. There is a strong emphasis on what students are learning in the classroom, rather than what they are being taught, and students are encouraged to push their own boundaries and develop their own individual learning styles. In this way we hope to equip them with the skills needed to become lifelong learners.
In our new Primary School we have the commitment to offer our pupils every chance for an exciting, varied and challenging learning experience. The programme is founded on the National Curriculum for England, primarily delivered through the International Primary Curriculum and core subject planning: considering the needs of the individual and the development of the whole child.
The new location, in the residential area of Tanjung Bungah, allows us to provide excellent facilities in a welcoming open setting with bright well-resourced teaching areas and specialist facilities. Tenby International Primary School will be sharing the site with the well-established, successful and popular Tenby International Secondary School and the Sri Tenby Secondary School (Malaysian Curriculum) and will be planning linked activities with the Sri Tenby Primary School which remains on its current site on Macalister Road.
Additional Info
The first three years at TIS (Years 7-9) make up Key Stage Three. Students are exposed to a variety of different subjects that are all compulsory at this stage of the curriculum. Assessments take place throughout the year and are an integral part of the classroom experience. While students do sit formal examinations at the end of each year, these are used to reinforce the levels of attainment that will already have been communicated to both students and parents. It is a very important part of the system that students know what level they are working at and what they need to do to move forward to the next level. All major assessments are levelled according to the age of the student. The levels reported to parents and students range typically from level 3 to level 8. The minimum expectation for our students is that they attain a good level 4 by the end of year 7, level 5 by the end of year 8 and level 6 by the end of year 9.
Assessments form an important part of the curriculum. Students are assessed continually throughout the course and a level of attainment is awarded. Assessments may take the form of tests, but students are also assessed by a variety of other methods including investigations, essays, display posters and oral presentations. A formal examination is taken at the end of each year to confirm the attainment levels awarded. Cambridge Checkpoint Tests in English, Maths and Science are taken at the end of Year Nine.
Key Stage Four is a two year programme that follows on from Key Stage Three. Students are exposed to a variety of different subjects, some of which are compulsory and others which are optional. Students follow International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) courses offered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
The IGCSE programme has been designed specifically for 14 to 16 year olds and aims to prepare students for further academic success, including progression to A–Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and to equip students will the skills needed for immediate employment. IGCSE is equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and is recognised as evidence of ability by academic institutions and employers around the world.
IGCSE provides a broad study programme by drawing subjects from six areas: Languages, Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics and Creative, Technical and Vocational. Within the curriculum there is a balanced mix of practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
The IGCSE curriculum allows teaching to be placed in a localised context, making it relevant in different regions. It is also suitable for students whose first language may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination progress. However, it is essential to note that English is the language of instruction at Tenby International School Penang and as such students do require a set level of competency in this area in order to achieve their potential and to be able to access the programmes of study with ease.
Grading is on an eight-point scale (A* – G) and grades A to E are equivalent to O Level Grades A to E. In some countries, IGCSE qualifications will satisfy the entry requirements for university. In others, they are widely used as a preparation for A Level, AS, International Baccalaureate and US Advanced Placement courses. Grade C in IGCSE English satisfies the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other Anglophone countries.
Click on any of the subjects listed below for more details
Core subjects
Options subjects
*Students must choose at least one science subject.
** PE is a compulsory subject, but is not examined at IGCSE.
Bahasa Malaysia is compulsory for all Malaysians. It can also be taken by non-Malaysians who wish to work towards the IGCSE in this subject.
Students have a wide variety of subject combinations when they come to decide which options they want to take. There is no science and non-science stream.
Assessments take place throughout the year and are an integral part of the classroom. Students are assessed continually throughout the course and an equivalent IGCSE grade is given at the end of Year 10 following a formal end of year exam, and again after the mock examinations (which are sat in January of Year 11). Assessments may take the form of tests, but students are also assessed by a variety of other methods including investigations, essays, display posters and oral presentations. All students take IGCSE exams at the end of Year 11 and are entered for the International Certificate of Education (ICE), which is awarded if students attain at least a Grade C in six key subject areas. In some subjects, students can take their IGCSE at the end of year 10, at the discretion of the subject teacher.
For information about Tenby International School, please click here to download the infopack.
| Time | Day | Break Times |
| 8:00am – 3.45pm 8:00am – 2:00pm |
Monday to Friday (except Wednesday) Wednesday |
(Break 1) 9:40am – 9:55am (Lunch) 11:35am – 12:15pm (Break, except Wed) 1:45pm - 2:00pm |