Educational stages
Our curriculum programme is organised in 6 stages
Early years
(Foundation Stage)
The Early Years and Reception classes have a dedicated class teacher, supported by a team of teaching assistants and specialists.
Our approach is essentially play-based, allowing children to engage in meaningful and enjoyable experiences while developing essential skills and knowledge.
We follow the Early Years Framework, focusing on the 7 areas of Learning and Development.
Through play, young children explore their world, solve problems, develop their imagination, and build social and emotional competencies. Play-based learning involves the use of materials and activities that are developmentally appropriate, open-ended, and allow for exploration, discovery, and creativity.
Teachers and caregivers play a crucial role in facilitating play-based learning experiences by providing a safe and stimulating environment, guiding children’s interactions with materials, and promoting social interactions and language development. Overall, play-based learning is a valuable approach to support children’s holistic development in the early years.
Primary
(Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2)
In primary, we develop the individual using our own personalised approach.
Through our focus on our key values of resilience, respect, adaptability, kindness, honesty, responsibility, teamwork and international mindedness, we help students develop high levels of self-esteem, problem-solving skills and a sense of pride in all they do.
Each year the group has a dedicated class teacher and is supported by a team of specialists and teaching assistants. Learning is tailored to the needs of individual students, allowing them to grow and flourish and preparing them for the challenges presented by secondary and the wider world.
We follow the National Curriculum for England. All students learn Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Information Technology, Physical Education, Music, Art, Forest School and Personal, Health and Social Education.
Students learn Spanish from Year 1. They learn Spanish, Catalan and French from Year 2.
Some subjects are taught discretely. Others under the heading of Topic. Wherever possible, we align subject content thematically to make learning more effective and interesting for the students.
Secondary
(Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4)
Our secondary programme builds on the skills, knowledge and competencies acquired in the Foundation and Primary Stages. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which provides our
students with solid academic knowledge, develops a broad range of skills, encourages their creativity
and participation of all aspects of school life and the wider community.
We build on the key values of our primary programme (resilience, respect, adaptability, kindness, honesty, responsibility, initiative and collaboration) to develop active learners and empathetic, internationally minded young people who are ready to meet the challenges of the modern world.
Key stage 3 (Year 7-9)
Students study a broad range of subjects – English, Maths, Sciences, Geography, History, Art, Music, Computer Studies, Spanish, Catalan, French, Physical Education
Key stage 4 (Year 10-11)
Students follow an International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme. All students study the core subjects: English, Maths, Science, Spanish and Catalan, History & Geography of Spain , Physical Education andPersonal, Social and Health Education. They also choose two further subjects such as Double Science, Business Studies, Art, History, Geography, Information and Communication Technology.
At the end of year 11, students complete International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations.
Once they have received their certificates, they can also apply for the Spanish certificate of secondary education ‘Título de Graduado en Educación Secundaria’. With IGCSEs, students can enroll in A-level courses.
A-Levels
(Key Stage 5)
A-levels are accepted for entrance to university in most countries worldwide including Spain. The “selectividad” is not required. For courses in high demand, a further entrance test may be required as for students who have completed bachillerato or other qualifications.
Students need a grade 5 or 6 at IGCSE (or ESO) to study an A-Level Course. The course is two academic years. It is assessed by examination. Students study 3 or 4 subjects from the following: English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Spanish, Business Studies/Economics, Information Technology. 3 good passes are required for university entry.
Spanish Curriculum Validation
ESO certificate
Students who have successfully completed years 8-11 with us, including Spanish and Catalan, and also gain four passes at IGCSE can apply for the Spanish certificate of secondary education ‘Título de Graduado en Educación Secundaria’. The school will support students with this process.
University Access
A Level examinations are internationally recognised university entrance exams. Our guidance counsellor will support students through the process of selecting and applying to the university of their choice.
Apply for admission
Open enrolement
Our easy and straightforward admissions process is designed to help you get in touch with us quickly and comfortably by completing this simple contact form. Please read on for information that will help you in the process of applying and/or finding out more at International School Costa Brava.
