Our programmes are based on the British National Curriculum, modified where necessary to allow for our particular position as an international school in France. We also take into account other educational initiatives underway in Britain, such as the National Primary Strategy for Literacy and Numeracy.
Outline of the British Education System
The British government formulated the National Curriculum to provide a broad and rigorous programme for all school children. It suggests balanced coverage of the arts and sciences, expressive arts and physical education, ensuring that pupils develop a wide range of skills and techniques together with creativity and physical well-being.
In the National Curriculum, the years are divided into Key Stages of learning and development. You can pinpoint your Key Stage in the table below.
Key Stage and Age Guide Level of School | Key Stage (KS) | School Year | Child's Age |
Pre-Junior | Foundation Stage | Nursery and Reception | 3 - 5 |
Junior | KS 1 | Years 1 - 2 | 5 - 7 |
Junior | KS 2 | Years 3 - 6 | 7 - 11 |
Senior | KS 3 | Years 7 - 9 | 12 - 14 |
Senior | KS 4 | Years 10 - 11 GCSE | 15 - 16 |
Senior | Sixth Form | Years 12 - 13 A Levels | 17 - 18 |
Qualifications
GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education
The GCSE programme offered at the British School of Paris is excellent. It will bear comparison with the curricula offered in other national and international schools. There is a broad, diverse and stimulating curriculum available, and GCSEs provide excellent preparation for the A Level courses.
GCSE courses mean a deeper and more challenging approach to the subjects studied. Success in these courses will depend not only on a pupil’s ability to work hard in class, but also on the willingness to study independently. Many of the specifications demand that pupils prepare coursework – this is evidence of personal study skills rather than just a test of the ability to memorise material. Much of this work will be assessed under controlled conditions in class.
Sixth Form
The qualifications we offer lead to University entrance worldwide. The courses are all designed for specialists, and are therefore excellent preparation for the rigorous demands of top-class Universities.
Our students gain admission to a large number of Universities, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. At the British School of Paris we are pleased to be able to offer a large variety of subjects to Advanced Level. Students progressing into the Sixth Form follow a rigorous schedule and helping them to reach their academic potential is one of our primary aims.