Key Stage 3 follows the English National Curriculum and all students will be expected to study the following subjects: Art, Drama, English, Geography, History, Computing, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (French and a choice of Arabic, Spanish or German), Music, PSHE, Physical Education, and Science.
At the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9) students choose their options for Years 10 and 11 where they study IGCSEs / GCSEs, refining their learning experience to suit their own interests and goals.
The curriculum at Key Stage 4 leads to a two-year course of study leading to external International / General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE / GCSE) examinations. These courses are assessed and graded by coursework and external examination, set by London Examinations (EDEXCEL) Board.
All students study the following compulsory courses: English language, English literature, PSHE, Mathematics, PE, and Learning for Life (L4L). It must be noted that PE, PSHE and L4L do not lead to a formal qualification.
In addition to the above, students make 6 option choices from the following subjects: Arabic (1st language speakers), Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Drama, Geography, History, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Mathematics, Arabic (MFL), French, Spanish, German, Music, Physical Education and Physics. The combination of subjects studied as compulsory and those elected to be studied from the optional list, means that students study 9 subjects that lead to a formal qualification.
Parents' Evenings, PSHE sessions and Careers Guidance help both students and families to make these important subject choices. Individual help can also be sought at the Careers office or with Heads of Key Stage.
Careers information involves face to face meetings as well as the use of interactive software and personality tests.
The IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in Languages, Humanities, the Experimental Sciences and Mathematics.
The programme, which is taught over two years, has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities, is offered by some 3000 IB World Schools in about 130 different countries.
Since the late 1960s, the programme has:
- provided a package of education that balances subject breadth and depth, and considers the nature of knowledge across disciplines through the unique theory of knowledge course.
- encouraged international-mindedness in IB students, starting with a foundation in their own language and culture.
- developed a positive attitude to learning that prepares students for university education.
- gained a reputation for its rigorous external assessment with published global standards, making this a qualification welcomed by universities worldwide.
- emphasised the development of the whole student – physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.