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Types of
Curricula

The British

Curriculum

Mrs. Catherine
Carden-Brown,
Director of Admissions
and Higher Education,
Epsom International
Boarding School,
provides an overview
of what students can
expect to find in the
British Curriculum.

he overarching aim of the British National Key Stages 2 and 3
Curriculum up to IGCSE is to provide pupils Pupils move into Year 2 aged 6 to 7 years and enter
Twith an introduction to the core knowledge that Key Stage 2 aged 7 to 8 years. They move through
they need to be educated citizens. At A Level, pupils Key Stage 2 and progress in their learning which will
specialise in depth, opting for three to four subjects. incorporate testing of science in addition to English colleges with an indication of the pupils’ abilities. For a Personal and Social Education Programme and
This curriculum aims to ‘embody rigour and high reading, grammar, spelling and Mathematics. Pupils applications to study at university, IGCSEs represent extracurricular (sports, drama, house competitions)
standards’ and create coherence in what is taught. leave Primary (Prep) School at the end of Year 6 and the only externally assessed results available upon and super curricular (debates, public speaking,
It ensures that all children are taught the essential begin Secondary (High) School. They enter Key Stage application – any other results will be predictions symposia, presentations, academic clubs) activities.
knowledge in the key subject disciplines. Pupils are 3 in Year 7. During Key Stage 3 pupils continue to of performance. Pupils then progress to Key Stage These programmes seek to build resilient, thoughtful,
encouraged to be reflective, independent of thought, learn a wide range of subjects and begin to identify 5 in Year 12 whereupon they commence their GCE confident and responsible future adults ready to take
confident and inquisitive. where their strengths lie academically. There are no Advanced Level exams (or A Level). Most students up their place in the world and have a positive impact
externally assessed exams for this age group. will study three subjects, some very high achievers within their community. The world is changing rapidly
The Early Years and Key Stage 1 may opt for four. In most cases universities require and therefore, many of the positions that pupils will
The British Early Years curriculum for pupils in Towards the end of Year 9, aged 13 to 14 years, three subjects at A Level. occupy in their future careers may not even exist yet.
the Primary (Prep) School is mainly delivered pupils make their IGCSE option choices. Some The wider curriculum equips learners to be adaptable
through games and play. The areas of learning are: subjects are compulsory. These include English A Level both academically and interpersonally.
communication and language, physical development, (EAL for some international students), Mathematics, At A Level, pupils specialise and study their chosen
personal, social and emotional development, literacy, triple science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), and subjects in great depth. Pupils can complete an Candidates should make informed decisions about
mathematics, understanding the world, expressive Bahasa Malaysia for Malaysian nationals. Other Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – a pupil- which A Level subjects to study as university courses
arts and design. Pupils leave the Early Years phase subjects are optional and pupils will choose up to led research project that replicates a first year may require specific subjects (for example, to study
and join Year 1 aged 5 to 6 years. Year 1 marks four subjects which include Geography, Mandarin undergraduate or university task and seeks to develop Medicine, Chemistry A Level is required). Students
the beginning of Key Stage 1 and pupils learn the (native and non-native), Physical Education, Spanish/ desired essay writing skills for higher education. EPQs considering the A Level are expected to have five
following subjects and lessons begin to take a more French, Business Studies, Accounting, History, Design are recognised by universities and can be deemed to IGCSE grades at ‘C’ or above. Some A Level courses
formal approach: English, Mathematic, Science, Technology, Art and Computer Science. be the equivalent of 50% of an A Level. specify a ‘B’ grade as a solid understanding of the
Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art and IGCSE topics and that is required to be able to access
Design, Music, Physical Education (PE), including Key Stages 4 and 5 A Personal and Social the A Level course (for example, Mathematics and
Swimming, Computing, Foreign languages (Bahasa Entry into Year 10 marks the start of Key Stage 4 Education Programme Natural Sciences).
Malaysia, Mandarin, French). Any assessment at this and pupils begin their IGCSE courses which they Similar to the International Baccalaureate (IB)
age focuses on English reading – with a focus on complete in the summer of Year 11. IGCSE results Learner Profile, British Curriculum schools provide For more information, please visit
phonics, English grammar, punctuation, spelling and are important as they provide universities and experiences to develop the whole person through www.epsomcollege.edu.my
Mathematic.

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