Townshend International School is an academic secondary school or “Gymnázium” accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education. It is also a University of Cambridge International Examinations Centre offering courses leading to Cambridge University’s International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A Levels (Advanced Level examinations).
The school provides general and academic education from Grade 8 to Grade 13, enhancing the curriculum with its own enrichment programs. These offer students a clear ethical training and educate them in moral leadership. They are an excellent preparation for living in a world that is increasingly multicultural and internationally interdependent. The education offered at Townshend may be seen as covering three educational phases.
Grades 8 and 9
are part of compulsory school education in the Czech Republic. Students in Grade 8 and 9 study a broad range of subjects from the fields of Science, Humanities, Arts and Languages. The main aim of the curriculum in these classes is to complete a student’s compulsory education and to ensure that each student has the basic skills and fluency in English to undertake studies in Levels I to IV.
Grades 10 to 13 are considered post-compulsory education and are primarily a preparation for university. These classes are referred to as Levels I to IV.
Level I and II
are considered to be the completion of a student’s general education and are aimed at providing each student with the opportunity to undertake broad and balanced study in a range of subjects, acquiring knowledge and developing and applying practical and analytical skills. Students at the end of Level II will normally be entered for exams leading to the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Education) award from University of Cambridge International Examinations). Satisfactory completion of courses in these levels provides a foundation for higher level courses such as Cambridge International A and AS Levels and the Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) Diploma.
Levels III and IV
are a preparation for entry to universities world-wide. Students in these levels are given the opportunity to select and study subjects that more directly fit their interests and aspirations. They will be expected to undertake in-depth study of fewer subjects and may, by their choice of subjects, either keep their options open or specialise in the area that suits them. During Levels III and IV students will enter for Cambridge AS and A Level examinations perhaps leading to the award of AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education). These qualifications are recognised university entry qualifications in the European Union, North America, Australia, Asia and Africa.