The Secondary
School
A Global Perspective Grounded in the British Curriculum
Verita International School offers a rigorous and future-focused secondary education built upon the British curriculum while embracing a global outlook. Our school provides a seamless academic journey from Year 7 through Year 13, ensuring that students are well-prepared for university admission and success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Our secondary school follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, implemented through the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) in Years 7-9. This innovative curriculum promotes interdisciplinary learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. In Years 10 and 11, students transition into Edexcel International IGCSEs, internationally recognised qualifications that build strong academic foundations. In Years 12 and 13, students undertake A-Levels, the gold standard for university entrance worldwide, allowing them to specialise in subjects that align with their career aspirations.
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Families and Friends of Verita International School,
Our Secondary School has brought together a top-tier team of professionals to guide our students on their continued educational journey. Verita is committed to offering a comprehensive, university preparatory curriculum which is challenging and engaging and broadens the student’s academic and social-emotional competencies.
We continue our pedagogical commitment to providing education that is not solely about academics. Learning is a continuous and holistic process that engages the whole child. High-quality teaching supports students in their journey to discovering their place in the world and understanding their responsibility to contribute positively. At Verita, students engage in hands-on learning, design, exploration and innovation and are given a broad range of choices, enabling them to pursue their individual passions.
We see students as partners in learning and recognize that students have something to teach us:
- Students can teach us about their future hopes and dreams.
- Students can teach us how they learn best.
- Students can teach us about the conditions that support their learning.
- Students can teach us about their interests and areas of expertise as well as the personal experiences of race or otherness that shape their worldview.
- Students learn by teaching.
By listening to our students, we will help them grow as learners and achieve their goals while supporting their development into global citizens.
In addition to the wide range of academic courses, the Secondary School offers an extensive range of athletic and co-curricular options. Through participation in sports, clubs and activities, students will have the opportunity to grow and learn beyond the classroom, enriching their body of knowledge that supports their continuing education to university and beyond.
We invite you to join our Secondary School for a truly impactful learning adventure.
MIDDLE YEARS
Transitioning to Independence
(Years 7, 8 & 9, ages 11-14)
These are the years when curiosity deepens, identity unfolds, and students begin to navigate the world with greater independence and awareness. At Verita, we guide this transition with intention, clarity, and genuine care, creating an environment where early adolescence becomes a time of growth, confidence, and discovery.
Students at this age are ready for more complexity in ideas, relationships, and responsibilities. Our Middle Years programme meets them at this moment with rich academic experiences, inquiry-driven learning, and opportunities to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and engage with subjects in greater depth. They begin to refine their study habits, strengthen their organisational skills, and discover the satisfaction that comes from taking ownership of their learning.
Equally important is the emotional world of the adolescent. This is a stage when students need adults who see them clearly, listen closely, and help them make sense of the changes they are experiencing. Our teachers cultivate steady, supportive relationships that give students the confidence to stretch, question, reflect, and grow. Through advisory sessions, social-emotional learning, and a culture of respect, students develop emotional maturity and a stronger sense of who they are becoming.
At Verita, Middle Years students are not rushed through adolescence —they are supported through it. They leave this stage with stronger academic skills, growing independence, steady confidence, and a clearer sense of direction as they step toward IGCSEs, A-Levels, and the world beyond.
These are transformative years. With the right guidance, they become a period of real emergence where students learn not only more about the world, but more about themselves.
International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC)
The IMYC focuses on building skills that students will need as they move towards adulthood, enabling them to make sense of what they are learning, as well as connect and collaborate with others. The curriculum is based on neuroscientific research of what the adolescent brain requires by following a specific process of learning.
Each unit has a theme that helps students to engage with subjects from adaptability to identity, curiosity, tradition, and discovery. These Big Ideas challenge students to think broader and to connect subjects and themes together in new ways, preparing them for the critical thinking required in later studies.
UPPER SECONDARY
A Pathway for Real Readiness,
Real Choice and Real Growth (ages 15–18)
The Upper Secondary years are where students step into their future with purpose. This is a stage defined by increasing independence, deeper academic engagement, and the growing ability to shape one’s own direction. At Verita, we guide this transition with clarity and care, creating an environment where young adults feel supported, challenged, and empowered to take the next steps in their journey.
These years are anchored by the globally recognised Edexcel IGCSE and A-Level pathways — qualifications respected by universities worldwide for their depth, rigour, and academic integrity. Yet at Verita, these programmes are more than certificates. They are frameworks through which students learn to think critically, manage complexity, and develop the habits that define capable, confident young adults.
Students begin with the IGCSEs, where they strengthen analytical thinking, refine study skills, and build a solid academic foundation. IGCSE graduates worldwide are shown to transition into university more smoothly, thanks to the structured thinking and research skills these courses develop. As students move into A-Levels, they focus on the subjects they care about most, gaining mastery at a level that frequently overlaps with first-year university coursework. Top universities consistently affirm that A-Level students arrive exceptionally well-prepared because they already work with discipline, depth, and independence.
But beyond these academic advantages, Upper Secondary at Verita is a human experience. Students are guided by teachers who know them, who recognise when to challenge and when to support, and who help them build the confidence to speak clearly, think openly, and navigate increasing responsibility. They learn how to organise their time, communicate with intention, sustain effort, and remain curious even when the work becomes demanding.
These years invite students to discover who they are becoming. They explore their interests, reflect on their strengths, and make decisions that shape their academic and personal pathways. Our university counselling, leadership opportunities, advisory support, and close relationships with teachers ensure that every young adult moves forward with clarity and confidence.
Upper Secondary is not simply preparation for examinations.
Why Families Choose the Verita Upper Secondary Experience
Introducing Years 10–13 to Parents
From Year 10 onward, something important begins to happen. School is no longer just about learning about the world — it becomes the moment students start preparing to step into it. These years mark a transition into deeper thinking, greater independence, and real academic purpose. It’s where curiosity starts to turn into direction, and where young people begin shaping the future they want for themselves.
Years 10–13 are the gateway to the globally recognised IGCSE and A-Level pathway, a period where students discover what they care about, commit to meaningful learning, and develop the skills that set them apart. It’s a time when the work becomes more focused, the conversations become more adult, and the choices they make begin to open doors to universities around the world.
What makes this journey powerful at Verita is that no student walks it alone. Our teachers guide them with clarity and care, helping them organise their time, stretch their thinking, and stay grounded as expectations rise. They learn to take ownership of their work, find confidence in their strengths, and navigate challenges with maturity.
And where learning becomes a launchpad — not just for university, but for a future filled with choice, purpose, and opportunity.
Edexcel qualifications are accepted by over 95% of universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, the Russell Group, European research universities, and North American institutions.
iGCSE students typically achieve higher first-year university success rates compared to non-IGCSE peers due to stronger analytical and research foundations.
A-Level graduates enter university with subject mastery equivalent to first-year coursework in many programs.
2025-2026 IGCSE Achievement Highlights
A Year of Achievement, Determination, and Academic Strength
The inaugural IGCSE cohort at Verita has demonstrated strong academic performance, reflecting the effectiveness of our educational program and the commitment of our school community. These achievements are the culmination of diligent effort, expert instruction, and a commitment to academic rigor.
14
Students
Achieved excellence across multiple subjects.
9
Subjects
Achieved excellence across multiple subjects.
8
Grade 9’s
Achieved excellence across multiple subjects.
6
Grade 8s
Achieved excellence across multiple subjects.
Subject Area Achievements
Students demonstrated proficiency across three key academic domains, indicating broad capabilities and preparation for diverse academic and career trajectories. These outcomes underscore our comprehensive educational approach and our dedication to fostering adaptable, globally-aware individuals.
STEM Performance
- Mathematics: Grade 9
- Chemistry: Grade 9
- Physics: Grade 8
High-level analytical and scientific proficiency, with strong grades across core sciences, preparing students for advanced STEM pathways.
Language Proficiency
- Chinese: Grade 9
- Russian: Grade 9
- English: Grade 7
Humanities Outcomes
- History: Grade 7
- Literature: Grade 7
These outstanding results represent more than just numbers on a page. They embody the dedication of our talented teachers, the support of our engaged parent community, and most importantly, the hard work and determination of our exceptional students. As our first IGCSE cohort, these young people have set a remarkable standard for excellence that will inspire future generations.
A Deeper Dive: Excel iGCSE & A-Levels
IGCSE at Verita
A Strong, Clear, and Supportive Pathway into Upper Secondary – (years 10-11)
The Edexcel IGCSE programme is the academic bridge between early adolescence and young adulthood. At Verita, it is the moment students begin to take responsibility for their learning, discover what they care about, and build the skills that will carry them into A-Levels and university.
IGCSEs are internationally recognised qualifications designed for students aged 14 to 16. They focus on developing deep understanding, analytical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge across real-world contexts. The programme prepares students not only for academic challenges, but for the independence and maturity that the later years of schooling demand.
A Balanced Combination of Core Subjects and Personal Choice
Each student follows a structured programme that includes a blend of compulsory subjects and electives chosen according to their interests and future ambitions.
Core subjects typically include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Sciences (combined or separate sciences depending on ability and interest)
Electives may include:
- Business
- Economics
- ICT / Computer Science
- Art & Design
- Geography
- History
- Additional languages (Greek, French, Spanish, etc.)
This model ensures both breadth and depth — students explore widely while beginning to identify the subjects they may later specialise in at A-Level.
To join the IGCSE programme at Verita, students must demonstrate:
- a solid foundation in core literacy and numeracy
- readiness to handle increasing independence
- the ability to manage a structured workload
- a responsible and organised approach to learning
- emotional maturity appropriate for Upper Secondary
Transfer students may be asked to complete baseline assessments in English and Maths to help us place them appropriately and create a personalised support plan if needed.
These requirements are not gates to exclude students. They are guardrails to ensure each child enters the programme with a realistic chance of success and access to the right level of support.
The IGCSE Learning Environment at Verita
The IGCSE experience at Verita is designed to be rigorous yet human. Students receive:Our teachers understand adolescence well — they challenge students, but they also know how to keep them motivated, grounded, and connected.
Most importantly, IGCSEs teach students that their effort, curiosity, and habits can shape their future. It is a powerful time of discovery and growth.
A-Levels at Verita
Pearson Edexcel International A Levels
At Verita, our Upper Secondary students follow the A-Level programme, one of the world’s most trusted and respected qualifications for university entry. But the reason we chose Edexcel is not prestige for its own sake. It is the shape of the learning it creates.
A-Levels are the final stage of Upper Secondary and represent a major step toward adulthood. A-Levels ask students to go deep, not wide. They choose subjects they genuinely care about and study them at a level that builds real mastery. This matters. Young adults don’t thrive by juggling ten surface-level courses. They thrive when they can think, question, create, and commit.
Edexcel supports this beautifully. Its structure gives students clarity, focus, and ownership of their academic journey. Universities across Europe, the UK, the US, and beyond know exactly what an A-Level means: a student who can handle complexity, manage their time, and work with purpose.
At Verita, A-Levels unfold within a supportive and human environment. Students receive close guidance, strong relationships with teachers, and an atmosphere where they can take intellectual risks without fear. We see A-Levels not as exam preparation, but as a transition into adulthood — a chance for students to discover their direction and step into it with confidence.
Students typically choose 3 subjects
These are selected based on interest, university goals, and performance in IGCSE or prior studies. Common combinations include:
- STEM: Maths, Physics, Chemistry
- Business/Finance: Economics, Business, Maths
- Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Geography
- Creative/Humanities: Art & Design, English Literature, Media, Languages
A-Levels run across two years
- Year 12: Foundation, core concepts, first assessments
- Year 13: Advanced concepts, exam preparation, university applications
Students must show they are ready for the level of independence and depth required.
- strong performance in relevant IGCSE subjects (grade 5 or higher; for sciences/maths often grade 6+)
- ability to work independently and manage deadlines
- consistent attendance and engagement
- emotional maturity appropriate for pre-university study
- a clear interest in the chosen subjects
- placement assessments
- recent school reports
- a short interview to understand motivation and readiness
- a personalised support plan if needed
These criteria protect the student — A-Levels are not easy, and readiness matters.
The A-Level Learning Environment at Verita
The atmosphere is purposeful yet warm. Students feel supported, even as the academic expectations rise. This balance is what makes A-Levels so powerful here. It leads to stronger first-year performance at university and high acceptance rates to selective programs across Europe, the UK, and North America.A-Levels do not simply prepare students for university. They prepare them to become the kind of thinkers, learners, and young adults who thrive once they get there.
University Counseling Services
Supporting Futures With Insight, Care, and Personalised Guidance
Choosing the right university is one of the most important steps in a young person’s life, and at Verita we take that responsibility seriously. Our University Counselling Services guide students through every stage of this journey with clarity, confidence, and genuine care.
At the centre of our program is an experienced counsellor who works closely with each student to understand their strengths, interests, aspirations, and values. The approach goes far beyond grades, taking into account academic programs, campus culture, geographic preferences, financial considerations, and personal wellbeing.
The aim is simple: to help each student find a university where they can thrive both academically and personally.
Understanding who you want to become is just as important as choosing where to study. Through workshops, career assessments, and personalised sessions, students explore a range of future pathways. These experiences help them imagine possibilities, recognise their strengths, and see the future as a landscape full of opportunity.
When it is time to apply, our counsellor helps students present their strongest, most authentic selves. Support includes guidance on personal statements, interview preparation, and developing applications that reflect each student’s achievements, ambitions, and unique character.
Students benefit from:
- Personalised feedback on essays and statements
- Interview preparation and application review
- Advice on how to highlight strengths and experiences effectively
Our counselling office maintains strong connections with universities across Europe, North America, and beyond. This network keeps our guidance current and opens doors to opportunities such as scholarships, internships, summer programmes, and other enrichment experiences that help students grow and strengthen their profiles.
A Partner for the Journey Ahead
University counselling at Verita is a relationship built over time. Our counsellor is a mentor, advocate, and guide who walks alongside students as they make some of the biggest decisions of their lives. With this personalised support, every young person graduates from Verita with the confidence, skills, and clarity to take their next steps with purpose and excitement.Join an Exceptional Learning Community
Choosing Verita International School means joining an institution that values academic excellence, personal development, and global citizenship. Our commitment to high standards, innovative teaching methodologies, and international inclusivity ensures that our students are prepared for a successful future in higher education and beyond.
We invite families to explore the outstanding opportunities that our secondary school offers. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about how Verita International School can help shape your child’s future
