Opening August 2026 | RDF International School
A World-Class Pathway Rooted in Cultural Richness & Modern Research Excellence
A Message from the Programme Director
Dear Parents,
As a parent myself, I understand that choosing your child's educational pathway is one of the most significant decisions you will make. You seek an education that challenges them academically while nurturing their character—one that prepares them for global opportunities while honouring their Chinese heritage.
This Cambridge International Programme represents a thoughtfully designed bridge between educational excellence in China and the competencies required for success at the world's leading universities. It is not about replacing one system with another, but about creating a powerful synthesis where the rigor of Chinese academic discipline meets the critical thinking and interdisciplinary application of the world's most respected international curriculum.
Our mission is to cultivate integrative thinkers—young scholars who can synthesize knowledge across traditional boundaries, apply rigorous analysis to complex global challenges, and carry their rich cultural heritage with confidence into international arenas.
I invite you to explore how we support your child's complete development—academically, linguistically, culturally, and personally—on their journey to becoming a confident global citizen.
Sincerely,
Dr. JS
A-Level Programme DirectorWhy Choose RDF’s Cambridge Programme?
| For Your Child's Success | For Your Peace of Mind |
| Proven Pathway: A clear, 3 to 4-year track from IGCSE to top global universities. | Expert Leadership: Led by Dr. JS, an international program administrator with over 20 years of experience teaching Chinese students. |
| Guaranteed Support: The 3-Tier English system ensures no child is left behind due to language. | Cultural Continuity: We celebrate Chinese heritage while building global competence—your child won’t lose their roots. |
| Future-Ready Skills: Focus on interdisciplinary projects (PBL) and research, not just exams. | Transparent Communication: Regular parent portals, workshops, and meetings keep you informed and involved. |
| Founding Cohort Advantage: Small classes, personalized attention, and priority in shaping the programme. | Investment in Potential: We develop the resilient, adaptable character needed for lifelong success, not just a test score. |
Depending on the student's grade level and background, RDFIS offers different lengths of schooling: four-year, three-year, and two-year programs.
Pathway 1: The Complete Cambridge IGCSE Journey (4 Years)
For students completing Chinese Grade 8 (Entering Year 9)
This pathway provides comprehensive, supported immersion into the Cambridge system, building robust skills in English, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary application.
G1 (Year 9) Curriculum (2026-2027): Building the Foundation
| Subjects | Core Content & Skills | Interdisciplinary Links |
| Mathematics | Advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, probability. Focus on multi-step problem-solving and real-world application. | Data analysis projects linked to Science. Financial modeling connected to Business concepts. |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) | Academic reading, writing, listening, speaking. Vocabulary acquisition, grammatical accuracy, coherent argumentation. | Research and writing for all subjects. Presentation skills through Global Perspectives and Science projects. |
| Combined Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) | Co-ordinated study of Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Strong laboratory component (20% of assessment). | Example Project: Sustainable Technology: Investigate environmental issues using scientific principles, mathematical modeling, and persuasive writing. |
| Humanities & Global Perspectives | Critical thinking, research methodology, analysis of global issues from multiple perspectives, reasoned argument development. | Core hub for interdisciplinary research. Multiple projects that build key academic and research skills. |
G2 (Year 10) Curriculum: Building the Foundation
| Subjects | Depth & Examination Preparation |
| Core IGCSE Subject Learning and Examination | Complete the study of core IGCSE subjects and take the Cambridge IGCSE examinations in May/June each year. |
| Additional Electives | Academic reading, writing, listening, speaking. Vocabulary acquisition, grammatical accuracy, coherent argumentation. |
| Enhanced Academic English | Discipline-specific writing styles (scientific reports, business cases, historical analysis). |
| Capstone Interdisciplinary Project | Year-long investigation requiring synthesis across subjects. |
For students completing Chinese Grade 9 (Entering Year 10)
This accelerated pathway is designed for academically mature students prepared for focused skill development before A-Level studies. While following the same subject structure as Pathway 1, it focuses on A-Level readiness rather than IGCSE certification.
Year 10 Curriculum (2026-2027): A-Level Preparation Focus
| Subjects | Core Content & Skills | Interdisciplinary Links |
| Mathematics | Intensive coverage of advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics. Emphasis on problem-solving and mathematical reasoning at A-Level standard. | Data analysis projects linked to Science. Advanced modeling connected to Business concepts. |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) | University-level academic writing, complex text analysis, advanced presentation skills, and sophisticated argumentation. | Research and writing for all subjects. Presentation skills through Global Perspectives and Science projects. |
| Combined Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) | Deep exploration of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics concepts with emphasis on experimental design, data analysis, and scientific methodology. | Project example: Sustainable Technology: Investigate environmental issues using scientific principles, mathematical modeling, and persuasive writing. |
| Humanities & Global Perspectives | Advanced research methodology, source evaluation, ethical reasoning, and analysis of complex global issues from multiple viewpoints. | Core hub for interdisciplinary research. Multiple projects that build key academic and research skills. |
Students who have completed their first or second year of high school in China or have completed the IGCSE examination at other A Level schools can start the two-year A Level courses directly (AS and A2 years). In these two years, students complete the AS Level exams in the first year and the A2 Level exams in the second year (AS and A2 combined as a full A Level grade). Our students usually take exams in May or June, with results announced in early August.
Upon entering the two-year A Level course, students from the four-year and three-year programs can also freely choose the following courses.
Courses offered in AS, A2 year:
| Garde | Compulsory | Electives | Other |
| AS | English | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics,History, Geography, Psychology, Art &Design, Biology, Computer Science, Drama, Business, Sociology, etc. (Choose 3-4) | Physical Education, University Counselling Seminars, etc. |
| A2 | Chinese language and culture, Music, Physical Education University Counselling Seminars, etc. | Physical Education, University Counselling Seminars, etc. |
