KS 5

Secondary School
Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)

The final stage in a student's education is Key Stage 5. Students will be able to choose from a wide range of Post 16 advanced level courses which form the final stage before moving into either employment or university. Students who stay at BSB are already familiar with the school and the way it operates. They will have a programme of study that has been developed from their previous courses and these guided pathways are important for continued success. The teachers know the students and can respond to individual needs and this is aided by being taught in small groups where they will receive personal attention.

Developing independent learning is a vital skill at Post 16 level. Here at BSB we prepare students not only for public examinations, but also for the transition to learning in higher education and for employment. Independent learning is an important aspect of life in the Sixth From. Students may have study periods; lessons which are unsupervised by teachers. It is expected that they would use the Resource Centre, the ICT facilities and the common room to carry out private study.

To be able to proceed on to advanced level studies, students must first have followed the IGCSE courses in Key Stage 4. Students will need to achieve at least 5 IGCSE passes at C and above, and obtain the grades specified in their chosen advanced level subjects. All advanced courses run over 2 years and are broken down into Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced (A2) courses. Students are recommended to choose between 3 and 5 AS subjects. At the end of Year 12 they will be assessed on what they have learnt and will be awarded certificates for those subjects. Students must pass AS courses to move onto A2. This is the time when students have to make their final course choices within the school. We recommend students pursue 3 of the original subjects (and in exceptional cases 4) to A2 level. This is when they will extend your knowledge of a chosen subject in preparation for university study.

Should students wish to take up another AS subject to study in the final year, there is the option to do so. This option may be more suited to students who find A2 subjects difficult and need to accumulate points for university entry. It is also possible to take additional IGCSE examinations either as a new course or as a re-sit and the opportunity to do so will be subject to availability.

Entering Key Stage 5 an exciting transition and it is very much up to the individual student to plan his/her programme and extra-curricular activities. We want students to enjoy their time at BSB and to take away a wealth of academic and extra-curricular skills. Sixth Form life acts as the focus for the academic, sporting and social life for sixth formers at BSB. We will expect students to play a role in the school community acting as a role model to younger students and contributing to the success of the whole school. They will be encouraged to get involved and to find their niche in the school. We will provide opportunities for student involvement but it is what they put into this that will make a thriving Sixth Form. There will be opportunities to organise activities; to take a lead part in the House system, becoming House Monitors. They could participate in helping to run house events, be involved with helping younger students through peer mentoring and take on supervision responsibilities. Joining the Sixth Form is also an ideal opportunity to participate in the International Award scheme, running charity events and organising social events. Sixth Form life is voluntary, and students can put in as much time as they feel able to. Contribution to Sixth Form life will be recognised in the application process when students move into either higher education or employment, as the information they are able to give about their developing personality and character will form the basis of their personal statements and curriculum vitae.

Assessment and target setting

Throughout Key Stage 5 all students will undergo formative assessment based on National Curriculum grades. Formative assessments at advanced level study is ongoing and will take a variety of formats including essays, written and verbal tests, projects, presentations and examination style questions. These assessments provide indicators for both students and teachers of where the student is at a moment in time and what they need to aim for. They are able to set targets for improvement. Students will sit both internal and external examinations throughout the year. Students must pass examinations at AS level to proceed to A2.

Reporting and Teacher/Parent Meetings

In November all students will receive a target setting review which looks at where the students are at this point in time. Teachers will set targets for the students to work towards in the pursuit of improvement. All students will receive a second report after their examinations which take place during the year.

Meetings will be held with parents in November and after examinations have been taken and reports have been issued. Teachers at BSB understand the importance of Key Stage 5 students not falling behind in their studies. If we feel a student may be struggling or not working at their full potential, we will extend invitations to parents to discuss individual progress at anytime throughout the academic year.

KS5 entry dates

Year 12 entry for children aged 16 by 31st August
Year 13 entry for children aged 17 by 31st August

The international nature of the students may mean relocation and a change of school. Our advice to parents and students is to try not to move schools once they have started their Key Stage 5 studies. Often other international schools, and even those who offer the National Curriculum, will offer different option subjects, use other examination boards, or will not necessarily teach a course in the same order which may result in repetition or gaps in teaching the content. Keeping students within a key stage or enrolling them in another school that offers the England and Wales National Curriculum will help reduce any conflict in continuity that may occur. Continuity during a Key Stage will give the students the best opportunity for success.

We want to give every student the best opportunity to succeed in their chosen course of study.

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