Facts to Know About British Curriculum Education
The British curriculum is well known and used in many international schools around the world. Below a few facts to know about the British-based curriculum.
British Schools Overseas Have to Be Accredited
There is a voluntary inspection scheme from the British government, which inspects all the British schools overseas. Schools have to meet set standards before they can be accredited, which ensures that students acquire the skills and qualifications that are needed. The inspection is done every three years. It assesses the extent of the British character in the school, teaching, curriculum, pupil’s achievements, and care for the pupils. There is also an alternative quality assurance system, which is called The Council of British International Schools.
The Pupils Pick Subjects Their Subjects
The awarding organizations such as OxfordAQA design the syllabi in a way that it matches the national curriculum but with an international influence. There is a group of primary and secondary subjects, such as sex and religious education, encompassed in the syllabus. The subjects have corresponding standards that schools have to meet. The pupils can choose the subjects that they will be examined in for the final exams like A levels and GCSEs.
The Curriculum Is Exam-Based
The British education system is a lot more exam-bound compared to the US education system. The GCSEs and A-Levels are the main end-of-school assessments. For a pupil to proceed to the A-Level, he has to achieve a minimum of five GCSEs with grades above C. The A level is a subject-based qualification, which can lead the pupil to university, training, or employment. A pupil can study more than three A-Levels in two years.
The British System Has Five Stages
The five parts that make up the British education system start with the early years for ages three and four, and then primary education for ages five to ten. The secondary education comes next, for ages 11 to 15, followed by the sixth form for age 16 and 17. Finally, the student goes for higher education at age 18 or higher. The ages are not restrictions but rather guidelines of what is expected.