Key Stage Two

 Secondary

 Further education

 University

The Secondary Curriculum covers Years 7 to 13. This is divided into three ‘cycles’ or stages, called Key Stages in the English National Curriculum. Years 7 to 9 make up Key Stage 3, with end of Key Stage tests in English, Maths and Science, taken at the end of Year 9. In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) pupils study a number of compulsory and optional subjects, preparing for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations taken at the end of Year 11. Pupils then choose a number of options in Year 12, taking the new Advanced Subsidiary Courses (AS) of Cambridge International Examinations, which have replaced the traditional Advanced levels. In Year 13 pupils can continue with the same AS subjects or take on new ones, or study the higher level A2 syllabus of subjects already studied and passed at AS level. As is explained below, Spanish studies can also be undertaken, guaranteeing entrance to Spanish universities.

Subjects in Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3)

Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Spanish, French, Art, Computers, Music, PE and Games, Religion or Citizenship.

Pupils take the English National Curriculum’s Standard Assessment Tests at the end of Year 9 in Mathematics, English and Science. Many Year 7 pupils also take the Cambridge English as a Second Language PET examination and Year 9 pupils the First Certificate English examination. In the last two years the French department have introduced the Alliance Francaise CAF tests, achieving some outstanding results. As pupils at ISM start French in Year 5, a high level of French can be reached, pupils having the possibility of being proficient in three languages, English, Spanish, French, as well as having the opportunity to learn German.

The Key Stage Three coordinator delivers the CAT tests to help to evaluate pupil progress in KS3.

Subjects in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4)

Pupils are prepared for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) offered by Cambridge International Examinations in a number of subjects shown below.

Compulsory subjects : Maths, Co-ordinated Sciences (double award), English (Second Language English taken in Year 10), with English as a First Language and English Literature as IGCSEs which can also be taken, Spanish (Foreign Language Spanish in Year 10, First Language Spanish, and Spanish Literature as IGCSEs which can also be taken in Year 11), and Foreign Language French (increasingly taken in Year 10). First Language French can also be taken in some cases. PE and Games.

Optional Subjects. Pupils choose three: History, Computer Studies or English Literature; Art or Economics; Geography or French.
Religion or Citizenship (or Ethics in Year 13 is taken one lesson per week.

Pupils are entered for the Core (maximum C grade) or Extended (all grades) examination in some IGCSE subjects at the discretion of their subject teachers. Some subjects do not have the two levels. Spanish pupils need to obtain a minimum of four IGCSE passes (C or higher) to validate Year 11 (4º de E.S.O) and one more for Y12 validation. At least two passes must be in Spanish, Sciences, English or Mathematics. Most pupils take between seven and eleven subjects. The school aims for the highest academic standards, but does not discriminate by ability, aiming to help all pupils reach their maximum level of achievement. Other IGCSEs offered by Cambridge such as Chinese, Portuguese, German, Italian or Arabic can also be taken on an individual basis. Tuition for these is arranged privately.

German has been introduced as an extra curricular activity and some pupils are preparing for the IGCSE in German Language.

Studies in Years 12 and 13

The Advanced Level studies are equivalent to the Spanish 1º and 2º Bachillerato, and take place in the last two years of school. For this reason subject choices, made at the beginning of Year 12, are very important, determining to a great extent the pattern of further education and career options which will become available to pupils. Subject choices are made bearing in mind views of parents, teachers and the pupil concerned, and IGCSE results are an important guideline. Teachers and staff responsible for Careers guide pupils throughout the year to discover strengths and weaknesses, and personal characteristics, and possible further education and career paths.

More detailed information about IGCSE, Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary Level, and validation of studies is clearly explained in the ‘Information for Parents’ document and which is available at school. Briefly though, studies at ISM fully prepare students for universities in Britain (A and AS levels), Spain (‘Selectividad’) and other countries, such as US Universities and Colleges, through the PSATs and SATs. As some of our students go to Spanish universities, our preparation for the ‘Selectividad’ exam starts in Year 10, with extra Spanish being given, complemented in Year 13 by Spanish specialists for the Selectividad options (‘Historia del Mundo Contemporáneo’, ‘Matematicas I y II’, ‘Física’, ‘Química’ y ‘Biología’ and ‘Dibujo Técnico’). ‘Historia del Arte’, ‘Filosofía’ and ‘Geografía’ are taught internally.