Our aim in the secondary department is to provide a broad, balanced and enriching curriculum. Teaching is in English, with the exception of foreign language subjects which operate in their own language. The subjects of the Spanish national curriculum are taught in Spanish according to the law.

We strive for our curriculum to be:

1. Based on the content and distinctiveness of the UK curriculum, without being constrained by it.
2. Designed to develop in our students a high level of linguistic competence in the English language.
3. Creative, engaging and fun for learners of all abilities to reach their full potential.
4. Supported and enhanced by the use of digital learning technologies that create responsible digital citizens.
5. Designed to encourage our students to think beyond their own reality and develop a global appreciation and understanding of the world and its issues.

Our classes are made up of a maximum of 25 pupils per class from Year 7 to Year 11 with children of the same age. In English, Maths and Science they are taught in ability groups up to Year 11. The optional A Level subjects (during the sixth form years) are noticeably smaller due to the number of options available for these blocks. Wherever possible we follow the British curriculum, but local requirements mean that we must also teach Spanish Language and Literature and Social Studies from Year 7 to Year 11. The secondary department takes charge of children from the age of 11, and builds on the foundations achieved in primary education.

The school operates with 35-period weeks (7 periods per day from Monday to Friday), with each period lasting 55 minutes. In order to help maintain a strong and well-balanced curriculum, there is a 50-minute tutorial every Monday.

Between Year 7 and Year 9 (ages 11 – 14) pupils will learn the same range of subjects as in Primary, with the addition of French or German from Year 7 onwards. National law requires that we also teach Spanish Language and Literature and social studies between Year 7 and Year 11. Students who do not speak Spanish as their first language will be taught Spanish as a second language until they reach the level where they can follow the first language group.

Our classes are made up of a maximum of 25 pupils per class from Year 7 to Year 11 with children of the same age. In English, Maths and Science they are taught in ability groups up to Year 11. The optional A Level subjects (during the sixth form years) are noticeably smaller due to the number of options available for these blocks. Wherever possible we follow the British curriculum, but local requirements mean that we must also teach Spanish Language and Literature and Social Studies from Year 7 to Year 11. The secondary department takes charge of children from the age of 11, and builds on the foundations achieved in primary education.

Options

Between Year 10 and Year 11 (ages 14 – 16) pupils will have to choose subjects from a number of groups. Students should choose these subjects during the second term of Year 9 after being informed of the options available to them. An optional subjects fair is organised during the second term of Year 9, and there will also be a meeting with parents in March to inform them about the relation between optional subjects and external exams. The option blocks are usually constructed based on the decisions of the parents and pupils, making every effort to give as much satisfaction as possible.

Options

Lengua y literatura

Sociales

English

Mathematics

Physical Education

Ciencias Coordinadas

3 Options

IGCSE examinations are taken towards the end of Year 11. Most Science students will sit IGCSE Coordinated Science at the end of Y11, with a small number sitting IGCSE Combined Science and a reasonable number sitting IGCSE Physics, Chemistry and/or Biology. Native Spanish students take IGCSE First Language Spanish at the end of Year 11 and complete the full A-Level in Spanish during their VI Form Studies.

From term 1 of Y11, pupils are engaged in the Educational Internships Scheme. This takes place at the end of the academic year, and the school has been running this program for over 5 years, and it has always been a successful and fruitful experience for the pupil. The program aims at making the pupil aware of the world of labor as it is today. In practical terms this means that the pupil will have to do voluntary work in a firm chosen and he/she will search for an appropriate company where they will take part in voluntary work. The program includes writing and presenting a final report to reflect on the experience. The firm that accepts the pupil and the school sign a written agreement by which the pupil will carry out the tasks described in the agreement. During January pupils are instructed on the steps to take and are given deadlines to present an offer from a firm to do voluntary work. We believe this process is as important as the final internships as during this period the pupil fosters independence and organizational skills.