CURRICULA GUIDE

Students build on their early years education to study subjects in greater depth. The primary national curriculum is divided in to 2 key stages. Key stage 1 covers years 1 and 2 (ages 5 to 7 years old), and key stage 2 covers years 3 to 6 (ages 7 to 11 years old).

Subjects that the Primary National Curriculum cover include:

• English

• Maths

• Science

• History and Geography

• Art, design and technology

• Music

• Physical education

• Computing

• World languages

• Personal, social and health education (PSHE)

• Citizenship

Your child will expand their international education, following the IB Primary Years Programme. A theme-based approach to learning will help them to understand how different subjects of study relate to each other and to their world.

The six transdisciplinary themes emphasised in PYP are:

• Who we are

• Where we are in place and time

• How the world works

• How we organise ourselves

• Sharing the planet

• Science

Through these themes, your child will develop skills, knowledge and understanding in:

• Social Studies

• Physical, social and personal education

• Arts

• Languages

• Mathematics

• Technology

By experiencing a theme-based curriculum, they’lll discover how to apply their learning to a range of real-life situations.

The IPC gives students international learning goals with a view to them fostering a global mindset. In this way, they’re guided towards a worldview that is multicultural and sophisticated. By the end, students will be thoughtful young people with a keen awareness of morality, cooperation, and respect.

As a flexible, interdisciplinary programme focused around subject, personal and international learning goals, the IPC offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through exciting and meaningful units of work. 

Students gain knowledge of several core subjects including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Art, Society, Geography, History, Technology, Music and Physical Education.

Key stage 3 begins in secondary school, where students continue to develop their skills and knowledge in a stimulating and challenging learning environment. Building upon their experience from key stage 1 and 2, students study a wide variety of subjects. At age 14 they move into key stage 4 as they prepare for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams.

Subjects include: 

• Art and Design 

• Citizenship 

• Design and Technology  

• English (including Drama)   

• Geography 

• History 

• Information and Communication Technology  

• Mathematics 

• World Languages 

• Music 

• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

• Physical Education

• Science covering Physics, Chemistry and Biology 

GCSEs and IGCSEs are a set of exams designed for students aged 14–16, although they can be taken at any age. They are a sturdy launchpad for any student’s future as they forge a pathway to either A Levels, or the IB Diploma.

The MYP is considered one of the finest middle school curriculum offerings in the world. It places a strong focus on developing attitudes and values, in addition to skills. This concept-based curriculum explores subject-specific content through six global contexts. 

In essence, the programme doesn't just offer facts and knowledge, but a deep understanding of how to learn and how to apply that learning. 

Grades 6 to 8 lay the foundations for future study, honing skills in self-management, research, creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. 

In Grades 9 to 10 your child gains more responsibility and develops in-depth research projects that allow a demonstration of understanding. 

The IMYC focuses on building skills that students will need as they move toward adulthood. This curriculum enables them to make sense of what they are learning, as well as to connect and collaborate with others. Each unit has a theme, which helps students to engage with subjects from adaptability to identity, curiosity, tradition and discovery. These Big Idea challenges push students to think more broadly and to connect subjects and themes together in new ways. 

The IMYC is based on neuroscientific research of what the adolescent brain requires by following a specific process of learning that helps your child to become a better organiser and planner. Your child will be set learning goals that will develop knowledge, skills and understanding, personal goals that help them connect and grow, and international learning goals that give students a clearer sense of their place in a global community. 

The American curriculum offers a broad and balanced educational approach supported by a wide range of co-curricular activities, providing students a unique environment for developing the skills they need to become well-rounded students capable of excelling in all subject areas.

Schools offering the US-style curriculum, commonly known as American Schools, place a priority on high standards of achievement, resulting in this curriculum being one of the most popular curriculums in international schools. The diploma is not only accepted for entry at all US universities, but also increasingly by universities around the world.

The CBSE is a reputable programme offering a challenging and rewarding education. While it’s widely considered tougher than state boards, the CBSE is also seen as more student-friendly, because it immerses them in more interesting and interactive learning methods.

The CBSE Curriculum prioritises student wellbeing, and is designed to reduce pressure and increase interest in learning. The curriculum includes a range of extracurricular activities which not only balance the academic rigour of the syllabus, but also teach vital life skills. Students are encouraged to pursue a sport, educate themselves about other cultures, and broaden their horizons.

Students who achieve at least five GCSEs may proceed to study A Levels, which are subject-based qualifications like GCSEs, but more focused on specific fields chosen by the pupils, normally based on what they would like to study in higher education or the field they would like to pursue in their future careers.

AS-level exams (Advanced Supplementary Level) are taken at the end of the first year (sometimes called lower sixth or year 12) and A Levels at the end of the second year (called upper sixth or Year 13). They are well respected and widely accepted for entrance to universities around the world.

This qualification is widely recognised by the world’s top universities and grounded in the philosophy that students should apply critical thinking skills to the world around them.

Subjects and structure

The IB curriculum is split into six groups. Students must study one subject from each of Groups 1–5, and another from either Group 6 or one of the original five. Three subjects must be studied at Higher Level, and three may be studied at Standard Level (although the student may opt for more than three subjects at Higher Level if they wish).

• Group 1 (Studies in Language and Literature) is usually taken in the student’s native language

• Group 2 (Language Acquisition) involves learning a second language

• Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) subjects include Economics, Geography, History

• Group 4 (Sciences)

• Group 5 (Mathematics)

• Group 6: (The Arts)

Students must also complete the following three core elements, designed to broaden their horizons:

• Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is an opportunity for the student to reflect on what constitutes evidence, how theories can be applied in the real world, and the nature of learning itself

• The Extended Essay is an in-depth, 4,000-word thesis on a subject of the student’s choosing,

• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) sees students participate in a variety of personally challenging activities designed to prepare them for life as a responsible global citizen.

Subjects are divided into two categories:

• Category 1: three humanities, three sciences, and an art

• Category 2: three languages (two Swiss languages plus English), mathematics, and two optional subjects chosen in collaboration with the school.

The Swiss Maturité is easily adapted to fit a scientific, literary, or economic focus. In this way, students leave school eminently prepared to study a specific subject at a high level.

Students usually choose from three subject options when studying for The French Baccalaureate.

• Literary is based on literature, philosophy, and foreign languages, and is aimed at students planning on careers in law, literature, or languages. A modern language is usually chosen as a speciality.

• Economic and Social balances social sciences, languages, and mathematics, and is aimed at students interested in careers in economics or law. Mathematics is usually added as a specialist subject.

• Science and Mathematics is geared towards tomorrow’s doctors and scientists, and is considered the most rigorous of the three series.

Read more about Advanced Placement here: ap.collegeboard.org