Key Stage 3 (11 to 14)

This key stage includes Years 7, 8 and 9.

Students who go on to Year 7, do so at approximately 11 years of age and, during this stage, they are taught by teachers who specialise in each subject. A tutor is responsible for the academic progress and personal development of the students in their group.

The areas taught in this cycle, which are the same for all the students, are as follows:

In addition to those listed, as part of the Spanish studies, the following subjects are also offered: 

(*) Non-Spanish speaking students take Spanish language classes only and follow a specific learning programme for foreign students.

In this stage, students receive three marks at the end of each term of the school year and a year-end evaluation. These reports include both information on the student's academic progress and information on their attitude towards each of the subjects (Level and Grade).

The distribution of reports is preceded by a parents meeting where individual meetings are held with tutors and teachers of each area to discuss pupil progress throughout the term. Equally, communication with parents is constant throughout the term and they are informed via meetings or via the diary provided to the students for school/parent communication at the beginning of the year of any aspect relevant to school life.

Key Stage 4 (14 to 16)

This key stage is composed of two years: Year 10 and Year 11. It is the final stage of compulsory education and is the equivalent of the two final years (3º and 4º) of the Spanish Secondary Compulsory Education System (ESO).

The main objective of these two most vital years of secondary education is preparation for the IGCSE examinations (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), which students must take at the end of Year 11.

The subjects that the students must study in this cycle are divided into common and elective subjects. It is necessary to have passed at least five areas (C or above) at this level to be able to go on to the following stage, which includes the studies equivalent to the Spanish Secondary Education Certificate (Bachillerato). (Three of them from amongst English Language, Mathematics, Co-ordinated Sciences and Spanish as a 1st Language). The subjects passed and the mark will determine the choice of subjects in the following cycle (A Levels).

Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE): To establish the subjects offered in this cycle (Key Stage 4), we have set the objective of all our students being able to obtain the International Certificate of Education (ICE) awarded by the University of Cambridge at the end of Year 11. This guarantees the possibility of offering our students a wide range of subjects and a balanced, yet challenging Curriculum. To obtain this qualification, the student must take at least seven subjects, including two languages, in addition to at least one subject from each of the following groups (the areas we have selected from each group to be chosen by the student are also listed):

• Group I: Language: English (First language or second language), Spanish (First language), French (Foreign Language)
• Group II: Humanities and Social Sciences: Geography, History, Literature (English), Literature (Spanish).
• Group III: Sciences : Co-ordinated Science (Double award)
• Group IV: Mathematics : Mathematics
• Group V: Creative, Technical and Vocational : Art and design, Information Technology (ICT)

The students choose their subjects at the end of Year 9 (Key Stage 3) and keep them throughout all the following stage.

Based on the design of this stage and the above details, the distribution of the compulsory and elective subjects for Year 10 and Year 11 is as follows:

Common and elective IGCSE Subjects

Common subjects

(*) English-speaking students may take the English area as the first language; otherwise, they will take English as a second language.

IGCSE elective subjects  (Three chosen from those offered in sections I, II, and III )

In addition to those listed, and as part of the Spanish studies, the following common subjects are offered: 

(*) Non-Spanish speaking students take Spanish language classes only and follow a specific learning programme for foreign students.

Students who pass and obtain the ICE (International Certificate of Education) qualification with a mark of MERIT (there are three possible marks: pass, merit, distinction) will be allowed to opt for the following stage of the specific study programme for obtaining the Cambridge AICE Diploma in the following stage, which comprises Year 12 and Year 13.

Communication between school and parents continues to be of vital importance for a correct academic and personal development. This communication is also constant throughout the key stage and parents are informed via occasional meetings or through the school diary of any aspect relevant to the pupil’s school life.