Our pupils follow the English national curriculum until the end of Secondary, when they progress to our unique BiBac® (Bilingual Baccalaureate) programme. This is complemented by classes of Spanish Culture (Geography and History), Language and Literature, taught in Spanish.
In their final year of Secondary, students take IGCSE/International GCSE exams. The Spanish Ministery of Education recognises the results of IGCSE/International GCSE exams as equivalent to the Spanish Title of Graduation in Educación Secundaria Oblogatoria (ESO).
What is the English national curriculum?
The English national curriculum is a structure that schools use to make sure teaching and learning are balanced and consistent.
It defines:
- the subjects taught
- the knowledge, skills and understanding required in each subject
- the level of ability pupils are expected to achieve in each subject
- the way pupil´s progress is assessed and reported.
Within this structure, schools are free to plan and organise teaching and learning in the way that best meets the needs of their pupils.
What are key stages and how do they compare to Spanish stages?
The national curriculum is split up into ‘key stages’. Teachers formally assess pupil's performance at the end of each key stage.
| British Council School | Spanish system | |
|---|---|---|
| School year (age) | Key stage (section) | Stage |
| Pre Nursery (2-3) | Foundation (Early years) | Pre infantil |
| Nursery (3-4) | Foundation (Early years) | 1 curso infantil |
| Reception (4-5) | 2 curso infantil | |
| Year 1 (5-6) | KS1 (Primary) | 3 curso infantil |
| Year 2 (6-7) | 1 curso primaria | |
| Year 3 (7-8) | 2 curso primaria | |
| Year 4 (8-9) | KS2 (Primary) | 3 curso primaria |
| Year 5 (9-10) | 4 curso primaria | |
| Year 6 (10-11) | 5 curso primaria | |
| Year 7 (11-12) | KS3 (Secondary) | 6 curso primaria |
| Year 8 (12-13) | 1 curso secundaria | |
| Year 9 (13-14) | 2 curso secundaria | |
| Year 10 (14-15) | KS4 (Secondary) | 3 curso secundaria |
| Year 11 (15-16) | 4 curso secundaria |
Our BiBac® (bilingual baccalaureate) programme for 16 to 18 is unique to the British Council School (Colegio Británico de Madrid en Somosaguas).
| 1º Bachillerato (16-17) | BiBac® (bilingual baccalaureate) | Year 11 |
| 2º Bachillerato (17-18) | Year 12 |