National & International OL’s

We have great pleasure in welcoming you to the G.C.E. Ordinary Level section of Bishop’s College. Our section embraces the responsibility of training young minds to successfully face true academic competitiveness, while preserving the holistic nature of their educational experience.

The G.C.E. Ordinary Level section spans over grades 9 through 11, with a total of 15 classes. Instruction takes place in both Sinhala and Tamil medium, and students also have the choice of opting to follow some subjects in the English medium. Academic achievement is of high priority to us as we prepare students to face their first national examination. We want each child to experience a high quality education that helps them achieve their full potential. We also want them to become thoughtful citizens who respect each other, value their local community and recognize their place in the wider world.

The school benefits from a strong team of well experienced and talented teachers, led by Head teachers for each Grade. Special seminars as well as special examination review sessions are organized for Grade 11 students in an effort to provide optimal preparation prior to the final examination. As a result, while more than 160 students sit for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level exam from Bishop’s College annually, we have been successful in maintaining a pass rate exceeding 95% in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

We value the input from the parents as we believe this is essential for the teachers to be able to provide both academic and emotional guidance to our students at this critical age. In order to facilitate this interaction, we organize parents’ days and open days throughout the academic year.

Bishop’s College has always been an institution that provides ample opportunity for our students to participate and excel in a variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. We truly believe that these activities, together with a sound academic foundation, are imperative in developing well rounded personalities, capable of facing the challenges of modern society.

Established in 2023, Our International Ordinary Level section offers students a globally recognized academic program: The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (IG) examination.

Commencing with 23 students, it has now expanded into a thriving student body of 80. The curriculum is designed to foster conceptual understanding, encourage critical thinking, and promote the practical application of knowledge across a broad spectrum of subjects, including English Language, Mother Tongue, Science, Commerce, and Information and Communication (ICT), among others.

With a focus on academic excellence and adherence to international standards, the program is designed to equip students aged 15 to 16 with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the International A Levels. Our inclusive and multicultural environment fosters global awareness and personal development, providing an ideal foundation for higher education and future careers on a global scale.

Qualifications

This section presents a wide range of subject combinations for our students. Each student is permitted to select one subject from each subject basket. Students are required to pursue a minimum of seven subjects, including three mandatory and four basket subjects).

In keeping with the ethos of our school, we are implementing a mandate for the subjects, Mother Tongue and Religious Studies, in the curriculum.  Aesthetic subjects from the national curriculum are offered during the course to enhance students’ knowledge. However, participation in the final examinations for Religious studies and aesthetic subjects is not mandatory.

Mandatory Subjects (IGCSE) :

• Mathematics (Specification A )
• English Language (Specification B)
• Sinhala / Tamil

Basket Subjects (IGCSE):

• Accounts/ Physics/ History
• Economics/ Chemistry
• Business / Biology / English Literature
• Psychology / ICT / Human Biology

Religious studies (National curriculum):

• Christianity / Buddhism /Hinduism / Islam

Aesthetic Subjects (National curriculum) :

• Oriental Dancing / Western Music / Oriental Music/ Carnatic Music / Baratha Natyam

Faculty

The staff consists of 20 educators who are well qualified with years of experience, receive specialized training for the IGCSE examination through various programs organized by Pearson Edexcel, ensuring they stay up to date with the curriculum.  

Parent Involvement

Recognizing the vital role of parental involvement in a child’s education, the international OL fosters effective communication between parents and teachers by organizing a Parents’ Day each term. This provides the parents with an opportunity to discuss their child’s overall academic progress.

Bishop’s College has long been recognized as an institution that provides abundant opportunities for students to participate in and excel across a diverse array of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. We are firmly committed to the belief that these experiences, alongside a solid academic foundation, play a crucial role in nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared to face the challenges of contemporary society.