“KEY STAGE 3” (11 to 14)

This key stage includes Years 7, 8 and 9.

Students who go on to Year 7, do so at approximately 11 years of age and, during this stage, they are taught by teachers who specialise in each subject. A tutor is responsible for the academic progress and personal development of the students in their group.

The areas taught in this cycle, which are the same for all the students, are as follows:

In addition to those listed, as part of the Spanish studies, the following subjects are also offered:

• Spanish Language and Literature (Lengua y Literatura)
• Enviromental Awareness (Conocimiento del Medio)

In this stage, students receive three marks at the end of each term of the school year and a year-end evaluation. These reports include both information on the student's academic progress and information on their attitude towards each of the subjects (Level and Grade).

During the academic year there are also parent - teacher evenings where individual meetings are held with tutors and teachers of each area to discuss pupil progress throughout the term. Equally, communication with parents is constant throughout the term and they are informed via meetings or via the diary provided to the students for school/parent communication at the beginning of the year of any aspect relevant to school life.

Year 9 students also have the opportunity to sit the examinations to obtain the Cambridge“First Certificate in English”.

“KEY STAGE 4” (14 to 16)

This key stage is composed of two years: Year 10 and Year 11. It is the final stage of compulsory education and is the equivalent of the two final years (3º and 4º) of the Spanish Secondary Compulsory Education System (ESO).

The main objective of these two most vital years of secondary education is preparation for the IGCSE examinations (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), which students must take at the end of Year 11.

To continue study in the next stage of education (Key Stage 5), every pupil must pass at least five subjects (with a grade "C" or above). All pupils must pass the IGCSE of English Language and Mathematics.

The subjects passed and grades obtained, determines the choice of subjects to study in the next educational cycle (Key Stage 5)..

Common subjects

Optional subjects:

I) Geography or History
II) Art and Design or ICT

Communication between families and the school continues to be essential to achieve the necessary academic and personal development of each student. This communication is constant throughout this stage and keeps families informed of any matter relevant to the student. Communication will either take the form of a meeting, a letter, or a note in the student agenda.

"KEY STAGE 5" AS/A Levels (16 to 18)

The English School of Asturias offers its students the possibility of finishing their studies by obtaining the Advanced Level Examinations from either the Cambridge Examination Board or EDEXCEL. The students use these qualifications to access universities in Spain, the United Kingdom, and in a variety of other countries around the world.

This stage comprises OF two years: Year 12 and Year 13.

The subjects in this stage (GCE-General Certificate of Education examinations) are divided into two parts which, in general, with a few exceptions, are studied in order during the first and second year, respectively. In year 12, pupils study the first part of the Advaced Level qualifications called Advanced Subsidary Levels (AS); in year 13, pupils study towards the Advanced Levels (A2) of the corresponding subject, thus completing an A Level. The Advanced Subsidary Level qualifications (AS) can be considered separately from the Advance Levels (A2), and so it is possible for a student to finish an AS in year 12 and not continue with the Advanced Level of this subject in year 13. As for recognition towards university admission, two Advanced Subsidary Level qualifications (AS levels) carry an equal weighting as one Advanced Level qualification (A level)

In this stage, students must complete a minimum of two Advanced Level subjects at the end of Year 13. The Advanced Levels qualifications are much more specialised than in European higher secondary education, specifically Spanish higher secondary education, and prepare the subjects in much greater depth. They are recognized worldwide and are accepted by all universities in Spain and the United Kingdom, as well many other countries, as entrance qualifications.

GCE A level Subjects):

• AS/A2 APPLIED ICT
• AS/A2 ART
• AS/A2 BIOLOGY (HUMAN)
• AS/A2 BUSINESS STUDIES
• AS/A2 CHEMISTRY
• AS/A2 ECONOMICS
• AS/A2 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
• AS/A2 FRENCH
• AS/A2 GEOGRAPHY
• AS/A2 MATHEMATICS
• AS/A2 PHYSICS
• A2 SPANISH

The Cambridge Advanced and Cambridge Proficiency Qualifications

To further ensure that our pupils are fully prepared for their future careers, we also offer the opportunity to study towards the Cambridge Advanced and Cambridge Proficiency qualifications. The programme of study for the Cambridge Advanced covers all the necessary areas to ensure thorough preparation for the exam which takes place in June of year 12 and builds on those skills learnt and tested for the First Certificate in Year 9. For those pupils who have been successful in the Cambridge Advanced, we will also make every effort possible to offer classes for the Cambridge Proficiency qualification in year 13, however, as has been the case in previous years, timetabling issues can affect the availability. The Cambridge Proficiency examinations take place in June of year 13.