Lessons are taught by subject specialists with the class tutor having the important pastoral role of coordinating all aspects of the pupils’ academic, as well as social, development.

Studies from 11 to 14 (Years 7 to 9)

In National Curriculum Years 7 to 9 specialist teachers deliver a balanced programme broadly based on the English National Curriculum, but with additional factors such as the immediate introduction of the three separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and the availability of two modern languages (French and Spanish).

Students of non-Spanish nationality study Spanish as a second language. Students of Spanish nationality vaildate their studies by following courses in Spanish Language, Literature and Social Sciences, according to the curriculum set by the Spanish Ministry of Education.

As in England, assessment based on National Curriculum levels continues to be used and students progress monitored accordingly.  King's College keeps abreast of all curriculum developments in progress in the UK and pursues those policies best suited to the students' needs.

 

Choices at 14-16  (Years 10 to 12)

The curriculum for age 14-16 is fundamentally the same as in English schools. All students study up to nine subjects in preparation for the award on the International General Certificate of Secondary Education. IGCSE is a highly regarded qualification which is accredited by the University of Cambridge (www.cie.org.uk) and approved by the Joint Council of British Universities.

All students are required to study English Language, Mathematics, Science and Spanish. In addition, they have a certain freedom to choose those subjects which they prefer and which will be most useful for their future career.

Students of non-Spanish nationality will normally study 9 academic subjects, as would be the case in most schools in England and in other international British schools.

Spanish nationals, or other students requiring official Spanish validation of their studies, will study slightly fewer subjects in order to include within their academic programme the necessary courses required by the Spanish Ministry of Education: (a) Spanish Language & Literature, and (b) Social Sciences.

 

On to "A" Level (Year 12 and Year 13)

Access to the Sixth Form to begin preparation of Advanced Subsidiary (AS) examinations in Year 12, and General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A2) examinations in Year 13, is open to those students who have passed a required minimum of subjects at (I)GCSE with good grades.

Students take five subjects in their first year (Year 12). One of the five subjects will be Spanish A Level or, for those students who intend to study for their degrees in Spain, Convalidation Studies.

In their first year our A Level students take four or five subjects from the wide range offered at Kings College. These include:

• Maths
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geography
• History
• English
• Economics 
• Art and Design
• ICT
• French
• Spanish (compulsory)

In addition, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Physical Education (PE) form part of each student's timetable. 

At the end of the year, students sit an Advanced Subsidiary examination in their chosen subjects. This examination is set at a level of difficulty halfway between (I)GCSE and A Level and will count towards students university entrance. More importantly at this stage it will give our students and their teachers the opportunity to see how they are progressing.

Students may then choose which of their subjects they wish to continue studying to A Level standard in their second year. Most students sit A Levels in 3 or more subjects at the end of Year 13.

Success in the A Level examinations gives access to university education worldwide.

At the same time, Spanish students equally have access to universities in Spain with their English qualifications and are entered for the "Selectividad" university entrance examinations. The same is the case for non-Spanish nationals who may wish to enter Spanish universities.

King’s College is justifiably proud of a consistently high pass rate in official examinations leading to an excellent record on University entry.

 

King’s College Sixth Form Academic Mentoring Program

What is the Sixth Form Mentoring Program?

The sixth form mentoring programme is a voluntary programme set up by the sixth form students led by Victoria Sonksen that matches younger students in Years 7 to 11 to a subject student expert in the Sixth Form.  Through this relationship, student peer mentors provide advice and support on difficult topics, and act as an additional support to departmental ´clinics´.

The aim is to provide students with alternative strategies to make improvements in their class and homework and hence increase their achievement and academic performance.

Who refers the students to the mentoring programme?

Referrals are made by the Academic Coordinators to the Head of Sixth Form.  Tutors and teachers refer names of underperforming students to their academic coordinator. Before the mentoring starts, a meeting between the student and academic coordinator takes place to explain the process.

At the end of a mentoring session, sixth form mentors provide some comments to the sixth form coordinator, and information is shared with the other academic coordinators, so there is coordinated and informed support for the student.

How often does the student meet with their mentors and where?

Sixth form mentors are matched with a referred mentee and meet with their mentee as regularly as is necessary (please see list of student mentors by subject) 

• Individual support, once a week, arranged during lunchtime (2.25-3.00pm) – refer to the mentoring list of days, time and location.

Location: Available rooms in History and Geography corridor.

What type of help is offered by the student mentors?

The types of help offered:

• Help developing exam revision techniques and tips to help prepare for exams.
• Recap theories taught in class and making it understandable to the student.
• Help with organisation of class notes.
• Build confidence and encourage positive thinking in the subject.
• Improve motivation and develop aspirations.

What should the student mentor NOT expect to do?

The Mentor should NOT expect to:

• Replace the role of a teacher.
• Prepare extra resources for their student; it is the responsibility of individual teachers who have highlighted underachieving students to supply extra work as necessary to the student, whose responsibility is then to take it to their mentors for support.
• Providing learning support.
• Counselling.

 

 

Validation

Since King’s College is legally registered in Spain as a Centre for Foreign Studies, validation with the equivalent academic years in the Spanish educational system up to and including the last year in the Junior Department, is automatic.

Upon entry to the Senior School, validation is obtained by studying, as a time-tabled option, the minimum number of Spanish subjects required by the Spanish Ministry of Education.