Secondary School

Our secondary school continues the educational journey that began in primary school. We use the English National Curriculum as our foundation with enhancements befitting an international school.

Our secondary school weaves BSKL’s values into the curriculum and our student-centered approach to pastoral care ensure that student happiness forms the foundation of learning. 

This attention to each child as an individual learner drives student success. In fact, the British International School of Kuala Lumpur’s academic results compare favorably with the best schools in the world and our graduates go on to study at the world’s leading universities.

Our Secondary school consists of seven year groups, based on age, and following the English National Curriculum naming conventions.

Sometimes Years 7-9 are collectively referred to as Key Stage 3, Years 10-11 are collectively referred to as Key Stage 4, and Years 12-13 are collectively referred to as Sixth Form or Key Stage 5.

• Year 7 (age 11 by September 1 of the school year)
• Year 8 (age 12 by September 1 of the school year)
• Year 9 (age 13 by September 1 of the school year)
• Year 10 (age 14 by September 1 of the school year)
• Year 11 (age 15 by September 1 of the school year)
• Year 12 (age 16 by September 1 of the school year)
• Year 13 (age 17 by September 1 of the school year)

Years 7-9 (Key Stage 3)

The academic programme is based on the English National Curriculum but with key enhancements to provide an innovative, challenging and creative curriculum that develops the core knowledge, skills, and understanding required to embark on the higher learning in our IGCSE programme.

Pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Drama, Music, Art, Graphic Design, Digital Technology and PE. In addition, they choose to study two Modern Foreign Languages from a choice of Spanish, French or Mandarin. 

Where appropriate, instruction is enquiry based and geared towards problem solving. Each subject is taught by a subject specialist, most of whom are British trained and hold a UK teaching qualification.

The opportunities for independent learning increase throughout Key Stage 3. Pupils are encouraged to assess their own work and to formulate their own next learning steps.

Pupils are encouraged to think critically and take risks in the classroom in order to develop problem-solving skills, because we believe that making mistakes is a vital part of the learning process.

Project work is an essential component both individually and in groups. There is also a range of opportunities for pupils to pursue their areas of interest in greater depth both in school and through relevant enrichment experiences beyond the classroom.

IGCSE Exam Years 10-11 (Key Stage 4)

In Years 10 and 11, pupils work towards obtaining IGCSE qualifications offered by the Cambridge, Edexcel and AQA examination boards. The two-year IGCSE programme is academically rigorous and recognised to be amongst the best in the world for this age group. 

Many of the subjects have specific international elements and content, developed by specialists to make the subject matter relevant to students worldwide.

Students at BSKL will typically earn IGCSEs in nine or 10 subjects, a number that allows them to be well prepared for the next stage of education whilst leaving time to continue to develop other interests.

BSKL students take IGCSE exams in four core subject areas: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics or Further Mathematics, and Science. They then choose four subjects from a range of options that might include Geography, History, PE, Computing, Modern Languages, and more.

The choice of subjects is an important one, both in order to build on a students’ strengths and interests and with a view toward a future career. The School provides students (and parents) with plenty of information in advance about options to ensure choices are well informed.

Learning remains enquiry based and focuses on problem solving. Students learn to become more independent and start to develop a more clearly defined sense of direction for the future. Information and guidance about A-level options and careers becomes a key focus both academically and pastorally.