British Curriculum
The British curriculum is globally recognised by more than 160 countries as a high quality, modern world curriculum with a proven heritage. It is used by the vast majority of schools in England and by thousands of British Curriculum schools all over the world, over 30,000 schools in total. It was first launched in 1988 and has been developing consistently since then, so is a very well-established and recognised curriculum.
The National Curriculum
The British (for which read ‘English’) National Curriculum is often characterised by the terms ‘broad and balanced’ as, up to the age of fourteen, students study the full breadth of subjects that are needed to help them develop into well-rounded citizens of the future. The curriculum focuses on delivering high academic standards whilst at the same time being truly ‘21st century’, ensuring that students also develop the wider life skills that are so crucial for applications to top universities and life in the future.
The National Curriculum ensures that students receive a good education in a broad range of subjects and specifies the standards students should reach in each subject. It also ensures children in both Primary and Secondary schools are learning the same things.
The huge strength of the national curriculum is that it is highly structured, from the Early Years to age 14, with progress measures throughout this time, so that teachers and parents know exactly how well a student is achieving, and how well s/he is being taught. Students’ progress is benchmarked against the expectations from the curriculum.
After the age of 14, students enter two years of preparation for the (International) General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination, taken at age 16. This is one of the only curricula which has internationally- recognised qualifications in every single subject at this age, and these are accepted by the best schools in the world. Because students become accustomed to examinations at this stage, they are very well-prepared for study beyond the age of 16, as they enter the Advanced Supplementary (AS) and Advanced Level (AL) programmes. IGCSE is therefore widely accepted as an excellent foundation for this next stage.
Universities and employers across the world recognise the British education system and hold it in high regard. The ongoing development of the curriculum to encompass skills that employers are seeking, such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, global awareness, digital literacy, breadth of thinking and creativity give the National Curriculum high standing when compared to more linear ways of learning.
The National Curriculum also places a premium on Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) which, alongside the framework of academic excellence, respect and good manners which typifies the system, ensures personal development is also at the heart of education.
Because of the flexibilities offered to be creative within an academically rigorous framework, and the mission of the National Curriculum to nurture students not just academically but also morally, culturally, spiritually, aesthetically and physically, it does provide for students to achieve the goal of true 21st century global citizens in a quite unique way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the British Curriculum?
The British Curriculum is an academic programme that has been used in the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries. It is a comprehensive system that includes subjects such as mathematics, English language, history and geography.
What are the benefits?
- A Globally Recognized System
- A Focus on Both Breadth and Depth
- Well-defined Key Stages Provide Clear Understanding of Progress
- Schools Encourage Growth Beyond the Classroom
Is the British Curriculum Right for Your Child?
The British curriculum will be right for your child if you value education as a journey, not a destination. In general, if your family is coming to the United Arab Emirates or plans to move there in the future, the British Curriculum is a great choice in our school, This is because it is:
A broad and balanced curriculum
Child-centred and personalised
Organised into Key Stages
Globally recognised qualifications
The Curriculum Journey at SRS
The School of Research Science complements the National Curriculum’s core subjects and requirements with programmes in Arabic, Islamic studies, sports and outdoor education that go far beyond the minimum requirement. UAE social studies and moral education is also an embedded feature of the programme.
As students progress through the years, the curriculum’s focus shifts.
Learning is based on play and a structured programme of knowledge acquisition in literacy and mathematics in the Early Years (ages 3 to 5). Through active, playful activities, supported by structured teaching sessions, children learn their first concepts of numeracy and literacy. Most children have basic reading and maths skills, as well as a strong foundation in personal, social and emotional development (PSED), by the end of the Early Years.
The emphasis in primary school (ages 5 to 11) is on developing strong fundamental mathematical and English language skills which support students in accessing the rest of the academic curriculum. Science, Technology, Humanities, and Art are all covered through direct subject-based teaching supported by projects and multidisciplinary topics.
Lower Secondary (ages 11 to 14) the curriculum is subject-based and academic, focusing on developing students’ ability to work independently and critically. At this point, the focus is on exposing students to a variety of opportunities in a variety of subjects so that they can begin to form ideas about their areas of interest. This happens as a result of developing a good understanding of subject-based concepts, and strengthening connections between the knowledge acquired in different topics.
Upper Secondary students take GCSE/IGCSE (14 to 16 years old) and A-Level/AS Level courses. Students study English, maths, sciences, and Arabic at GCSE, as well as four or five additional subjects from an options list. Students specialise even more at A-Level, selecting three or four subjects from a variety of options.
Digital technology plays a key part in how we deliver the curriculum. Acquisition of subject-based knowledge is the fundamental building block of our curriculum; its delivery and assessment is strongly supported by IPAD technology.
Using the research-based High Performance Learning (HPL) approach helps us to systematically build the cognitive competencies that lead a young person to thrive not only academically in school but also provides our students with the skills and attributes they will require to be successful in higher education and their future careers.
An Education for Life
The National Curriculum for England provides students with an education that is recognized and held in esteem around the world. Acknowledged for its high academic standards and its well-rounded approach to education, the curriculum provides students with transferability and the opportunity to gain access to reputable universities, worldwide. Students from SRS School have been accepted to prestigious universities around the world.
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