Programme of Study
This programme is complemented by the Spanish programme at the following levels:
- Years 1, 2, and 3 – Spanish Language
- Years 4 to 11 – Spanish Language and Humanities;
- From Year 6 onwards the students study French;
- From Year 9 onwards the students have two lessons of Maths as well as the full British Maths programme;
- In Years 12 and 13 the programme changes to the Spanish system, although the students continue to receive instruction in English with approximately seven lessons per week.
Within the international teaching setting in English, we seek to:
- Promote each pupil’s constructive self development potential.
- Prepare him or her for the challenge of an increasingly more complex and demanding society.
- Develop an awareness of worldwide co-operation to inspire peace and harmony.
This is why our educational task concentrates on the following dimensions:
- Intellectual
- Social
- Emotional
- Physical
- Ethical & Moral
Following the principles of the Montessori philosophy all classes include tasks which cover basic subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Cultural Themes, Environmental Studies, Sensory/Motor skills, and tasks related to everyday life.
Infant (three to six years)
- Dynamic and personalised education.
- In addition to the teachers, there are assistant support teachers
- The classroom setting contains all the elements required to encourage pupil development at this fundamental stage, following the principles of the Montessori Philosophy.
- All classes cover a broad range of subjects, offering students a wide ranging education.
Junior (seven to eleven years)
- Education at these levels takes place in spacious, well equipped classrooms. We pursue the objectives of the English National Curriculum, as well as those of the Montessori Philosophy. These cover English Language, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, ICT, Art, Music and Physical Education.
- Pupils also study Spanish Language and Social Sciences in Spanish, achieving the same levels as Spanish schools in these areas.
Senior (eleven to eighteen years)
- Teaching at this stage is aimed at achieving the pupil’s best physical and mental potential, in order to lay the foundations required for his or her later development.
- Our teaching staff is comprised of British and Spanish university graduates. In addition to encouraging academic achievement, teachers concentrate on the pupil’s well being, training him or her to be able to reason and to take an interest in research, following the principles of the Montessori Philosophy.
- These are guidelines during this phase of maturing, in such fundamental matters as decision taking and seeking solutions to the problems which are commonly experienced in daily life.
External Examinations
- At the end of Years 6 and 9 students sit the SATS exams (Standard Attainment Tests) in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science.
- At the end of Year 11 students sit the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Education) exams in, generally, nine subjects.
- At the end of Year 12, students sit the AS level in English Literature, French and Spanish.
- In Year 13 students sit the Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency exam, depending on their level. They also sit A levels in English Literature and Spanish. Those pupils who do French sit the B1 and B2 level DELF exam.
Convalidation
Each year of school up to and including Year 10 at The English School Madrid is validated with the Spanish Educational System. The importance of this is that a students entering or leaving the school can transfer to the equivalent level in any other school. This is, of course, subject to the individual competency of each student.
At the end of Year 11, which is the final year of compulsory education, pupils must fulfil the following requirements in order to convalidate their studies with the Spanish educational system:
- Pass 4 IGCSE’s at C level
- Pass Spanish Language and Spanish Humanities
- Pass the school year (globally)
