Redhill is currently the only school in the country to offer students a choice of graduating with either an Independent Examination Board (IEB) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme qualification.
Each of these programmes has its own features and merits, and either is capable of being a suitable qualification for further study at university either in South Africa or abroad.
The Independent Examination Board (IEB) bases its curricula around CAPS, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement, which provides detailed guidelines of the content and assessment requirements in a subject.
In Grade 12 our students write their final examinations, which the IEB sets for the school-leaving National Senior Certificate, or NSC.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous, demanding, yet highly rewarding two-year course of study offered in Grade 11 and 12.
Redhill is proud of the firm educational foundation that has been built at our school and we hope that the DP will instil within our students an increased sense of open-mindedness, broader intercultural understanding, and the desire to become leaders for change in the community and beyond.
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) aims to develop critical thinking and understanding of knowledge across different disciplines. TOK explores questions such as: What is knowledge? How is it acquired? How do we evaluate and justify knowledge claims? Students engage in discussions, analyses, and reflections on various areas of knowledge, including the natural sciences, mathematics, history, ethics, and the arts. Through TOK, students develop skills to critically examine knowledge claims, consider different perspectives, and recognize the limitations and biases inherent in the acquisition and application of knowledge.
The Extended Essay (EE) is a research-based academic project which allows students to explore a topic of their interest in depth and develop skills in research, critical thinking, and independent study. The EE requires students to choose a subject from one of the six IB subject groups and formulate a research question. They then conduct extensive research, analyse and interpret their findings, and present their work in a formal academic essay. The EE provides students with an opportunity to delve into a specific area of study, apply academic methodologies, and develop transferable skills that are essential for higher education. Through the EE, students develop their research and writing skills, learn to manage their time effectively, and gain a deeper understanding of their chosen subject.
The course is presented as six academic areas and three interdisciplinary courses. Students study two modern Languages, a Humanities or Social Science subject, an Experimental Science, Mathematics and an Arts. Students may opt to study an additional Science or Individuals and Societies subject instead of the Arts.
Students will take three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope, but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at Higher Level.
The compulsory interdisciplinary courses reinforce the International Baccalaureate Organisation’s emphasis on developing the “whole person”. These subjects are Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) involves experiential learning – learning through experience, including a process of reflection and critical analysis. CAS is intended to provide a framework and opportunities for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment, and enjoyment. It includes three strands:
A student following the IEB Programme must select a minimum of seven subjects, comprising both compulsory and elective subjects.
The four compulsory subjects offered are:
The elective subjects offered are:
*Further Studies Maths are also available
In Grade 12 our students write their final examinations, which the IEB sets for the school-leaving National Senior Certificate, or NSC.
At Redhill we offer the following subjects in each academic area:
Group 1 – Home Language:
Group 2 – Language acquisition:
Group 3 – Individuals and Societies:
Group 4 – Sciences: Maximum 2 subjects:
Group 5 – Mathematics:
Group 6 – The Arts:
Redhill School’s progressive student leadership structure, the Redhill Student Council (RSC), is based on a fundamental, student-empowering strategy.
At Redhill School, prioritising the social and emotional wellbeing of our Senior School students is at the forefront of everything we do. We understand the unique pressures they face, including the demands of final exams and the ever-changing landscape of the world they are preparing to enter. By fostering a supportive environment that promotes mental health, resilience, and adaptability, we empower our students to navigate these challenges with confidence and prepare them for a successful future.
