The Chatsworth International School Grading System has been developed to provide a benchmark for different levels of student attainment and degrees of effort.
The grades, which appear on a Semester Report (issued in January and June), are the final grades for that semester, and represent the grades for the half credits for each subject, under the American High School Diploma Programme. Grades, which appear on the Advisory Grade Sheet (issued in November and April), are as the name suggests, ‘advisory’ only. They provide an indication of current progress and provide an early warning of any problems or deficiencies, and the need for remedial action, where appropriate.
Achievement Grades
| Attainment |
Descriptor |
7 Exceptional |
The student displays distinct mastery of the subject, is meticulous in his/her knowledge, skill and understanding, even in the most complex aspects of the course. |
6 |
Commendable performance with evidence of excellent knowledge, skill and understanding |
5 |
Evidence of good knowledge, skill and understanding in most areas. |
4 |
Evidence of good knowledge, skill and understanding in some areas. |
3 |
Knowledge, skill and understanding are basic or weak in some areas. |
2 Pass |
Knowledge, skill and understanding are weak in a range of areas - the student is in danger of failing. |
1 Fail |
Knowledge, skill and understanding are below the level required to pass the course |
0 No Credit Awarded |
The student has failed to meet the minimum attendance requirement for the American Diploma (High School only). |
Effort Grades
| Attainment |
Descriptor |
E |
Excellent |
VG |
Very Good |
G |
Good |
S |
Satisfactory |
P |
Poor |
U |
Unsatisfactory |
The subjects in High School are offered in such a way as to enable students to follow either the American or the British High School Programme - while studying together. The structure of these two systems is outlined below.
The American High School Diploma Programme
This system is based upon a system of credits, which students acquire in specific subjects during their time in the High School, before graduating to continue their studies in either Further or Higher Education.
The British IGCSE / International Baccalaureate Programme
This parallel programme aims to prepare students for a series of examinations that are specifically tailored for international students and which are set and marked by examination boards in the UK. Typically, students taking this programme will be either native speakers or fluent speakers of English as a second language. Students who do not meet this requirement are unlikely to be successful, as to understand and be able to answer the examination questions require a high level of fluency in English. In the subject listings, courses that can be studied for IGCSE are identified by 'G1' (the first year) and 'G2' (the second year). Similarly, 'IB' identifies the International Baccalaureate courses of study.
IGCSE Grading:
Students are assessed and awarded grades based on their achievement, using the Chatsworth grading system and occasionally the Cambridge IGCSE grading system. The external examination grades available
are : A*, A , B, C, D, E, F, G, U where all grades are a pass except U, which indicates the student has failed to achieve a satisfactory result.
An approximate comparison of the two grading systems is given below:
| Chatsworth |
Cambridge |
| Internal Grade |
IGCSE Grade |
7 Exceptional |
A/A* |
6 |
B |
5 |
C |
4 |
D |
3 |
E |
2 Pass |
F |
1 Fail |
G/U |
Although all grades are considered a pass, most employers/institutions are looking at the C grade as a satisfactory indicator of ability.
This programme typically takes students four years to complete and consists of two periods of two years’ study as follows:
a) The International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE):
In the first two years, students normally study eight subjects, in which they will be examined for the IGCSE qualification in each subject
b) The International Baccalaureate Programme:
Students study six subjects – three at higher level and three at standard level. Five of the subjects must be chosen from groups 1-5, and the sixth can be either Visual Arts or another subject from the other groups. In addition, students must participate in a programme of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS), a course called Theory of Knowledge, and write a 4000 word Extended Essay based on independent research in one of their subject areas.
Transfer Between Programmes
Transfer from the ESL Programme to the American High School Programme:
- This depends on sufficient fluency in English, as explained above.
Transfer between the British and American Programmes:Such transfer is possible due to the fact that each subject offered can be studied either for examination in the British system, or for a High School credit. However, the further a student continues in one particular programme it becomes increasingly difficult to transfer.
After the first two years, for example, transfer is possible, but after that it becomes problematic because:
a) A student in the British programme may have an insufficient number and variety of subjects to transfer to the American programme.
b) A student in the American programme may lack sufficient depth of study, in the fewer number of subjects necessary for effective transfer to the British programme.
To overcome these barriers to transfer, after the first two years of study in the High School, is possible - but only if a student has the time, the determination and the academic ability to make up the shortfalls in each case.
