Curriculum policy

 

 

1. Scope

 

This policy will reflect and guide the educational experience and personal development needs of our students.  The aims give focus to the value of the school and emphasise what we are trying to achieve through the curriculum.  IBSB’s curriculum principles are underpinned by the assurance of equality of access and opportunity to learn and to progress.  They promote simultaneously academic achievement and personal growth.

 

 

2. Aims

           

IBSB is an International British school which practises equality of opportunity and aims to:

           

AIM HIGH     

  • Challenge students and staff to aim for and achieve excellence in all areas of school life. 

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERYTHING THE SCHOOL OFFERS

  • Provide the best possible learning opportunities for students through the extended curriculum.

DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS

  • Develop intellectual, social and physical skills. 

 RESPECT EACH OTHER

  • Provide a safe, caring and tolerant school community.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS

  • Value and develop self-confidence and responsibility.

WORK TOGETHER.

  • Develop co-operative and teamwork skills.

GET INVOLVED

  • Involve parents and the community in a partnership for education.
  • Extend learning through involvement in the CAS programme.

ENJOY YOUR LEARNING

  • Recognise the importance of fun and positive enjoyment in learning.

GIVE YOUR VIEWS AND INFLUENCE DECISIONS

  • Involve students in decision-making about their own learning and school life. 

PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE

  • Prepare young people to participate fully and successfully in further learning and in adult life.

 

 

3.  Responsibilities      

 

IBSB will provide a curriculum which is broad and balanced, within international constraints. The school strongly values the place of the arts and creativity and aims to sustain their place within the curriculum.

Citizenship will be promoted within PSHE, in special citizenship days and also across the curriculum.

A flexible timetable widens the choices available to students and enables them to follow a curriculum which is best suited to their interests, skills and needs in the Secondary School.

 

We will continue to meet the curricular needs of all those students who have special educational needs or English as an Additional Language needs.

 

Fundamental to the curriculum is the quality of teaching and learning. We will look for ways to continually improve the quality of teaching, based on a British model of quality and a reflective, collaborative approach. To improve the quality of learning we will run a comprehensive INSET / training programme and share good practice with other schools. The school also aims to develop regular external staff training opportunities, including staff attending relevant international conferences. 

 

Early Years

 

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage within the PreSchool & Reception classes and, in the first term, Year 1, where necessary. Assessment is made and reported using the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile.

 

Key Stages 1 & 2

 

The Primary School follows the curriculum developed by the Cambridge Primary Programme for Literacy & Numeracy, augmenting the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies. The curricular taken from CPP are linked / cross referenced with the Primary Strategy for Literacy and Numeracy. Summative assessment will be completed annually using the Cambridge Progression Tests in the final term in Key Stage 2. Y3 - 5 complete tests in Literacy and Maths, Y6 in Literacy, Maths and Science. In Key Stage 1 QCA KS1 SATs tests are completed in the summer term by the children in Year 2.  There are no formal tests in Year 1.

 

The curriculum for the foundation subjects is based upon the recommendations of the QCA Schemes of Works, although it is adapted for the international nature of our school. Terms are themed so that we can teach in a cross curricular manner to give the learning environment more relevance and support the ‘enjoy and achieve’ outcome of ECM.

 

Key Stages 3 & 4 & 5

 

The Key Stage 3 & 4 curriculum is based on Cambridge International Examination programme, including the Lower Secondary Programme, Checkpoint, IGCSE and A level courses.

 

 

5.  Review

To be reviewed annually or as required

 

6.  References to other school documentation:

Primary and Secondary School Long Term Plans/ Curriculum Overviews

Medium Terms/ Schemes of Work

DOS section of school website (options, timetabling etc.)