Our Curriculum

At the British Schools of America we provide high quality British style of international education in the United States.

We begin an academic programme at age 3 when children join us in the Nursery class. Children in Nursery & Reception (Foundation Stage), aged 3-5 years old, follow the Foundation Stage based on the British Government's Early Learning Goals. Pupils aged 5-16 follow the National Curriculum which is organized into four Key Stages and applies to all pupils aged 5-16 years old. Pupils 16 years old and above follow courses leading to the award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The British Schools of America, although basing its curriculum largely on the UK model, also reflect our US locations. We provide an appreciation of the different cultures and religions from which our children come. During our assemblies, children share their talents and experiences and parents are warmly invited to watch and participate.

Age Information

The UK Foundation Stage

At the British Schools of America the Foundation Stage Curriculum is followed for pupils in the Nursery and Reception classes (ages 3-5) and is organised into six areas of learning:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Mathematical development
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Creative development

The Early Learning Goals establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of the Foundation Stage, but are not a curriculum in themselves. They are organised into the six basic areas and provide the basis for planning throughout the Foundation Stage, so laying secure foundations for future learning. It is a curriculum that not only acts as a transition between home and school but also starts children off with the learning habits necessary to access education at a later age.

French is taught to pupils from 3 years old (Nursery).

Further details on the Foundation Stage can be found at http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_5984.aspx

The National Curriculum (England)

The National Curriculum forms the basis of study for all pupils in Years 1 through Year 11. The National Curriculum sets out the most important knowledge and skills that every child has a right to learn.

It is a framework given to the teachers by government (England), so that all school children are taught in a way that is balanced and manageable, but difficult enough to challenge them.

It gives standards that measure how well children are doing in each subject ­ so teachers can plan to help them do better.

Pupils follow the National Curriculum through to the end of Year 11.

The complete National Curriculum (England) can be accessed at www.nc.uk.net.

International Primary Curriculum

The International Primary Curriculum is an enrichment and a different way of delivering some areas of the National Curriculum. Because of our diverse school communities, it is important to heighten the international dimension of our curriculum. It is also now a requirement to include an international dimension within the National Curriculum and as a result the IPC has been introduced into schools in the UK and globally.

Literacy, Numeracy, Science, French, Latin, Music and PE continue to be taught as directed by the National Curriculum. History, Geography, ICT, Art and Design and Technology are delivered through IPC topic units which incorporate an international dimension. With the IPC, children focus on one of these subjects for a period of days rather than changing from subject to subject each day. They may, for example, cover History for 2 weeks, then Art for one week etc. This will depend on the topic unit that they are covering. Over the course of the term the subjects will balance out.

One of the advantages of the way the IPC is planned and delivered is the focus on pupil's preferred learning styles and the development of multiple learning intelligences. Another advantage is that the children are able to maintain their enthusiasm for a subject as they build on activities day by day rather than having to put things aside until next week's lesson.

Complete details can be found at www.internationalprimarycurriculum.com

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)

The Key Stage Four (14-16 years old) curriculum consists of 10 GCSE courses taken across two years. All pupils take GCSE courses in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (dual award) and a foreign language and choose from a range of options for the remaining four subjects. All pupils in Year 10 and 11 take non-GCSE courses in Physical Education and Citizenship.

Traditionally, these courses lead to assessment at the end of Year 11 (16 years old) and the award of GCSE certificates at grades A* to G. However, it may be possible to take some GCSE examinations early, at the end of Year 10 (15 years old), if this is considered appropriate.

Further information on GCSE syllabi may be obtained from Qualifications Curriculum Authority ( www.qca.org.uk ) or our awarding bodies, EDEXCEL and AQA ( www.edexel.org.uk and www.aqa.org.uk ).

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Pupils in Years 12 and 13 take courses leading to the award of International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Pupils must complete one course from each of six academic areas - Language, Second Language, Individuals & Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Arts & Electives. In addition, all pupils take a Theory of Knowledge course, complete the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme and write an extended essay. Assessment in the six academic subjects is by a combination of terminal examination papers and coursework.

The IB Diploma is currently offered at the British School of Washington and the British School of Houston. The British School of Boston gained IB Accreditation in 2007 and will begin offering the Diploma Programme in Semtember 2008.

Complete information on the IB Programme can be accessed at www.ibo.org