Having seen how the British Curriculum is structured, it is important to understand how this system can benefit your child. Each education system provides unique benefits to learners based on the explicit and implicit goals of the educational framework.
Let’s take a look at the main benefits of studying the British Curriculum:
A Globally Recognized System
The British Curriculum, established in 1988, is one of the most widely taught educational systems in the world. The education is student-centered and well balanced, providing both breadth and depth of subject matter. Students are assessed through regular benchmarking, which ensures they have mastered the content and are prepared for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A level qualifications.
A Focus on Both Breadth and Depth
The British Curriclum structures learning in a way that guides students through a variety of subjects including not only ‘core’ subjects such as maths, science, and literature, but also the arts, humanities, and more. Starting in the early years, students focus on the fundamentals of their subjects, and as students progress, the curriculum dives deeper into these subjects, exploring not only the more nuanced and complex aspects of the subjects, but also how they relate to other areas of study.
Well-defined Key Stages Provide Clear Understanding of Progress
Unlike the American Curriculum, which does not explicitly define the stages of education, the British system is organised in well-defined blocks known as ‘Key Stages’. The first stage is the Early Years for students from 2 years old through 5 years old. Once the student enters primary level, they start with Key Stage 1 (KS1), from ages 5 to 7, before moving on to KS2, which lasts from age 7 to 11. After completing the primary Key Stages, students begin the secondary stages with KS3 and KS4, which are for ages 11-14 and ages 14-16, respectively. Students who plan to continue to university may then begin the pre-university KS5, where they will study from age 16 to 18. Since the stages are explicitly defined and students are assessed at the end of each Key Stage, the stages provide a simple, clear overview of the progress a student has made.
Schools Encourage Growth Beyond the Classroom
As a curriculum which aims to develop well-rounded individuals who not only understand the core principles of their subjects, but also how to use this knowledge in real-world situations, the British Curriculum places a high priority on extracurricular activities such as team sports and performing arts, which help students develop skills in leadership and teamwork and to understand the intricasies of competition and camaraderie. Schools that follow the British Curriculum also encourage students to participate in activities that deepen their understanding of academic subjects such as Model United Nations, Debate, or STEM activities like robotics or maths competitions.
