SECONDARY
Educational key stages
Overview
EYFS
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
Overview
Curriculum
Secondary life at King’s Oak British International School
Secondary School is an important and challenging time in a student’s life. Therefore, it is our intent to deliver a rigorous and nurturing education to our learners. During their time at King`s Oak Secondary, students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects and activities to ensure that they are better prepared for the expectations placed upon them by a continuously changing world. We are committed to an inclusive educational model that supports all learners in becoming skilled innovators, critical thinkers, and problem solvers!
Secondary Year Groups
Our commitment to the personal development of our pupils is maintained by a set of initiatives carefully designed to promote our core values of independence, decency, courage, awareness, presence, self-discipline, leadership, and teamwork. All our Secondary staff take an active role, and each member of the team is a designated Form Tutor responsible for the class whom they meet with on a daily basis.
Teenagers in particular face multiple challenges as they mature. The strong positive relationships that exist between pupils and staff at King`s Oak British International ensures that their well being is closely monitored and supported.
A key focus of our staff is to encourage all pupils to value academic and personal achievement as the reward for hard work and perseverance. A positive ‘can-do’ attitude is encouraged in every member of the community in order to achieve their aspirations.
KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is built on the best of global and UK standards, and features the English National Curriculum and Cambridge Secondary programmes. All subjects are taught discretely with English, Science and Mathematics following Cambridge Secondary schemes and other subjects delivered through developed programmes based on the English National Curriculum. ICT contributes to learning and teaching in all areas and is integrated into subject teaching throughout the curriculum, as well as being taught as a discrete subject.
The Key Stage 3 Programme aims to provide all our students with an extended variety of experiences, to provide an environment where they can learn to become responsible independent learners, and to provide them with a solid academic base from which to commence their two-year IGCSE programme in Year 10.
The following subjects are studied in Key Stage 3:
- English (language and literature), Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Spanish, Music, Drama, Art, Design and Technology, Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Physical Education (PE).
- The English National Curriculum promotes enquiry to develop thinking skills and encourage intellectual engagement. Reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills are about developed.
- Mathematics is presented in six content areas: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Measure, Handling Data and Problem Solving. The first five content areas are all underpinned by Problem Solving, which provides a structure for the application of mathematical skills. Mental strategies are also a key part of the Number content.
- Science covers four content areas: enquiry, biology, chemistry, and physics. Scientific enquiry covers evaluating evidence, planning investigative work, and recording and analysing data. The scientific enquiry objectives underpin biology, chemistry, and physics, which are focused on developing confidence and interest in scientific knowledge. Environmental awareness and some history of science are also part of the curriculum.
- There are several day trips and residential trips offered throughout the year, including the Start of Year Residential Trip to help the students bond and the End of Year Residential Trip to celebrate the end of the year and all that has been achieved.
KS4 (Years 10 and 11)
Key Stage 4 curriculum features the internationally recognised IGCSE Cambridge programmes and qualifications. It is designed to engage students and give them solid foundations to achieve high levels of academic and personal attainment.
Our Year 10 students start the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the world’s most popular international qualification. The two-year IGCSE programme is academically rigorous and provides excellent preparation for Cambridge A Levels and for progression to other educational systems. Many of the subjects have specific international elements and content developed by specialists to make the topics relevant to students worldwide.
Our students choose their IGCSE subjects from different subject areas giving them a broad subject base. This allows them to be well prepared for the next stage of education whilst leaving time to continue to develop other interests. The choice of subjects is an important one, both to build on students’ strengths and interests and to introduce students to a future career.
Every IGCSE student takes the core subjects English, Literature, Mathematics and Coordinated Science. Students also follow a language course in Spanish. In addition, students choose three subjects from a range of options which may include: History, Geography, ICT, Computing, Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music.
Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 continues to emphasise the development of students’ general academic and intellectual skills. Learning remains enquiry based and focused on problem solving. Students are expected to become increasingly independent in their learning as they broaden and deepen their knowledge in each subject.
KS5 (Years 12 and 13)
AS/A-LEVEL Students will normally take 3 subjects in Year 12 and continue these to Year 13.
AS and A-Levels are British qualifications taken when students are normally aged 16-18 before they go to university. AS stands for Advanced Subsidiary. An AS-Level is a qualification normally obtained after a one-year course. It constitutes the first half of an A-Level course, but is a qualification in its own right. A stands for Advanced. An A-Level is a qualification normally obtained after two years of study. Modules studied in the second year of A-Level study are referred to as A2 modules. Normally three good grades at A-Level are required for university, although four A-Levels will increase the likelihood of a student gaining entry to a top university or a course for which there is a high demand. A* grades are necessary for the very best universities.
A prior pass at IGCSE grade is generally required for entrance to a particular subject. Students are expected to have 5 IGCSEs at A* to C (9-4) which should include English Language and Mathematics.
AS/A Levels are academic courses that involve: theory; clear, well-thought out essays; identification and expression of different points of view; analysis of concepts; and the testing of generalisations. Independent study is very important and background reading and research is expected.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global framework that encourages young people to dream big, celebrate their achievements, and positively impact their world. By developing transferable skills, increasing fitness levels, nurturing a sense of adventure, and engaging in community volunteering, the Award helps young individuals discover their purpose, passion, and place in the world. Operating in more than 130 countries, it serves as an inspirational platform for millions of young people.
This Award is a personal challenge rather than a competition against others, pushing participants to their individual limits while recognising and celebrating their achievements. Beyond the classroom, the Award plays a crucial role in students’ development, emphasising communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Participants undertake four critical sections in the Award: Service, Skill, Physical, and the Adventurous Journey. In each section, students are encouraged to focus on areas of personal interest, discover ways to contribute to others through service, acquire or enhance a skill, stay active through physical challenges, and plan and navigate challenging terrains. These activities foster personal growth, self-reliance, a sense of responsibility to themselves and others, and a commitment to community service.
The House System at King’s Oak British International School
The House system has its roots in 19th-century British boarding schools, where students were divided into separate boarding houses. In these houses, students slept, ate, and were looked after by House parents, creating a close community.Over time, the concept evolved and became a vital part of pastoral care, fostering a sense of loyalty and camaraderie among students.
At King’s Oak British International School, we proudly uphold this tradition. Our fourhouses—Peles (Green), Corvin (Yellow), Bran (Blue), and Rasnov (Red)—are named after Romania’s most iconic castles, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of our host
country.
Students from various year groups are assigned to different houses, promoting unity, friendly competition and a strong sense of belonging. This system encourages students to support one another and participate in a variety of house activities and events, enhancing their overall school experience and fostering lifelong friendships and teamwork skills.
The Houses compete against each other in a friendly and encouraging environment.We place our trust in the House Captains and senior students to mentor and guide the younger members, fostering a culture of care and inclusivity. The teamwork and efforts are celebrated at the end of the academic year, when the winning House is awarded a House Cup, proudly displayed in the school throughout the following year. This tradition not only honours excellence but also inspires every student to strive for better results and embody the values of unity, perseverance and leadership.