CAIRO: Four students from El Alsson British International School are among the top 10 students in the world for their results in Edexcel A/S Art and Design, GCSE Art and Design and A/S Physics. This week they received a letter from the chief examiner of Edexcel, London, congratulating them on their exceptional performance. "Gillan Amr El Shanoubi (A/S Art and Design and A/S Physics), Shahd Ibrahim Omar (A/S Art and Design) Salma Mohamed (A/S Art and Design) and Nada Sherif Khalifa (GCSE Art and Design)were amongst the top 10 worldwide international students who achieved the highest overall grades in GCSE and A/S. We would like to offer our congratulations on this excellent performance, said Ross Hall, director of Edexcel International. Soumaya Amr, one of the co-founders and directors of El Alsson British International school, said "We have always enjoyed excellent GCSE, A/S and A-Level results in El Alsson but this is the first time we have had four students in the top 10 in the world. "All of the students have done incredibly well, but Gillan getting two places in the top 10 students in the world for Art and Design and Physics is really exceptional, Amr added. According to Jo Clemens, head of the art division, the world approach to art and design has chanced. "Students now have to read and research, experiment and develop their skills, not just paint pretty pictures, said Clemens. "Doing a full two-year Art and Design GCSE foundation course rather than trying to cram everything into a one year IGCSE makes all the difference, she added. "Once they have understood how to approach the subject at GCSE level, they are then ready to go on and really do well at A/S and A-Level. El Alsson stopped teaching the one-year IGCSE courses in 2002 and replaced them with the full two year GCSE programs and two year A/S and A-Levels, the school said in a press release. "GCSE is so much better than IGCSE , said Colin Rogers, one of the co-founders and directors of the school. "Parents think that four subjects in one year are easier, but it simply isn't true. Not only do our students do well and achieve excellent grades, by studying over two years they have time to enjoy the courses, learn how to think and develop their ideas and personalities, and have a life. Gillan, Shahd and Salma are now studying in AUC and Nada is in school doing her A/S's including Art and Design. Their work will be on display in El Alsson's "Whole School Art Exhibition, held annually at the British Council from Nov. 16 to 21.
