Lower Secondary (Years 7, 8 & 9 / Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Our Lower Secondary curriculum takes the content from the Key Stage 3 English National Curriculum and delivers it using the concept-focused approach of the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC).
The subjects studied include English, mathematics, science, geography, history, visual art, ICT, design technology, P.E., performing arts (dance, drama and music), Spanish and SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning). While each of these is taught by specialist teachers and most of them are studied as discrete subjects, the IMYC approach provides our students with the opportunity to connect and blend those subjects in a holistic way by linking learning to the Big Idea.
How will my child learn?
Each term, students are provided with a new Big Idea which is introduced through an engaging entry point activity which encourages students to start to assess their understanding of that Idea. Throughout the term, students continue to explore, assess, refine and deepen their understanding through journaling and interaction with the Big Idea in each of their subjects. At the end of the term, students display their understanding of the Big Idea through an exit point project.
How will my child be assessed?
Students are assessed using a Mastery Approach that allows each teacher to skillful plan an appropriately challenging curriculum for each individual student. Gone are the days where students are “taught” content with the hope that some of it is learned; at BISW each learner is set challenging, non-negotiable aspects to learn, based upon their current ability in a subject. In that way, it is possible to extend the learning of ALL students, not just the ablest. At BISW we believe in having a growth mindset; with resilience and hard-work, and with skilled instruction from teachers, there is no limit to what students can achieve.
Further external reading can be found here:
English KS3 National Curriculum
International Middle Years Curriculum
Upper Secondary (Years 10 & 11 / Grades 9 & 10)
BISW’s Upper Secondary curriculum is based around the Cambridge International General Certificate of Education (iGCSE) and is designed to not only prepare our students for their post-16 courses, but to provide an externally assessed set of qualifications that are accepted throughout the world.
The iGCSE is the most academically challenging course currently on offer to 14-16 year old students and is internationally respected. The full two-year programme features a combination of coursework and exam work. Students are required to independently prepare and monitor their own progress and study several subjects in depth. They must also demonstrate competency in reading and writing.
How will my child learn?
Students will generally take ten courses and upon passing are awarded qualifications in a full range of subjects. Top universities around the world look to these qualifications as an extra benchmark of performance when considering applications.
While examinations in American schools may vary depending on the state and curriculum, the iGCSEs provide a mark of quality which is understood and appreciated globally.
All BISW students take courses in English language, English literature, mathematics, sciences (biology, chemistry & physics),
Students also choose from three elective iGCSE courses (history or geography, enterprise or global perspectives, french or spanish) and a non-iGCSE elective (visual art or design & technology or performing arts) and all students take physical education and SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning).
How will my child be assessed?
Students are continually assessed against each subject’s individual assessment criteria and Expected and Potential grades are reported once each half-term to ensure that students are continually being challenged and supported to make progress.
All of the iGCSE qualifications are designed and examined rigorously Cambridge International Examinations.
Further external reading can be found here:
Cambridge iGCSE
Curriculum