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A Comprehensive Guide to the British Education System

a student attending online school

If you’re a parent, you should focus on providing a quality schooling experience to your children. If you’re a student, you should also ensure that you follow an advanced education system that helps you secure top grades.

The British education system is considered the most robust, advanced, comprehensive, and prestigious education system across the globe. Students who study the esteemed Cambridge curriculum secure A*s and As and attend some of the most exceptional universities across the globe, including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, John Hopkins, Columbia, Princeton, and the like.

By switching to the British education system, students significantly improve their future academic and job prospects. In this blog, we’ll offer a closer look at the British education system. Keep reading, take notes, and feel free to ask us questions towards the end. Let’s begin.

1. Four Schooling Stages

The British education system is divided into four segments:

Across each stage, students are taught a balanced, well-rounded, and interdisciplinary curriculum. Known for its academic breadth and depth, the Cambridge curriculum covers greater ground than conventional curricula. Students develop a nuanced understanding of their lessons and become proficient in their respective subjects.

This level of comprehensiveness and robustness is unmatched. The British education system also stands out for its strong focus on skill-building. While academic growth is important, skill-building, personal growth, social development, and extracurricular progression are also imperative. Students who receive a British education enjoy complete growth across different facets of their life.

At CHS Online, our MA/MSc/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers help students develop essential soft and hard skills. While students secure top grades, they also develop critical skills that improve their capabilities, increase chances of acceptance in top universities, and achieve rapid career progression.

Recommended Read: 3 Useful Soft Skills Students Develop Through Online Schooling

2. Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (Ages 7 to 10)

a mother guiding her child about her upcoming online classes

The Cambridge Primary Prep stage focuses on a range of subjects for 7 to 10-year-old students: Math, English, Science, Topic, Languages and Cultures, and Art, among others. The curriculum is designed to build on children’s previous learning and allow them to become creative, critical thinkers.

At CHS Online, we use advanced audio-visual technology to make the lessons fun, engaging, exciting, and retentive for young students. Owing to a high level of curricular comprehensiveness, pupils build a strong foundation that enables them to transition to advanced academic stages with ease.

3. Lower School/Key Stage 3 (Ages 11 to 13)

The Cambridge Lower School stage helps students develop a deeper interest in their favourite subjects. At this point, students have learned the fundaments. They begin to discover their passion for different topics, subtopics, themes, and concepts.

Students also develop valuable skills that prepare them for IGCSEs. Key Stage 3 subjects include Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, History, Latin, French, and Spanish.

4. Upper School/IGCSEs (Ages 14 to 16)

a student attending online school

As the second-most critical academic stage, the IGCSE junction carries immense importance. The IGCSE and A Level grades collectively determine which university a student attends. If a pupil secures A*s and As, they have a high chance of getting accepted to a prestigious university. However, poor grades serve as an obstacle to an enriching university experience.

At the IGCSE stage, we help students develop proficiency in their selected subjects. Our MA/MSc/PhD qualified teachers provide individual attention to each student to develop a good grasp of their academic strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and overall performance. This helps our teachers personalise their teaching approach and help each pupil improve their performance.

Did You Know: In June 2021, 86% of Cambridge Home School’s IGCSE students secured A*s and As in their target subjects.

5. Sixth Form/AS & A-Levels (Ages 17 to 19)

The most rigorous and critical learning stage, Sixth Form helps students develop mastery in their subjects. Students who complete their A Levels receive world-class preparation for university. At CHS Online, we use an independent curriculum to help students achieve immense academic growth and secure top grades.

We also provide each student with access to our eLibary. Pupils can explore thousands of quality, carefully selected resources like videos, PowerPoint presentations, books, previous catch-up lessons, worksheets, activities, study guides, and more. Once A Level students complete their classes for the day, they can use these resources to complete their homework and revise better.

The A Level examinations require excellent preparation, exam confidence, and time management skills. At CHS Online, we equip our students with the teaching expertise, tools, support, and guidance they need to ace their examinations.

As you navigate the British education system, you’ll reap the benefits of a wide skillset, expansive knowledge, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and excellent practical skills. The transition to university will be seamless.

Did You Know: In June 2021, 83% of Cambridge Home School’s A Level students secured two As and a B or higher, as requested by top universities. Moreover, all students who applied received offers from some of the best universities across the globe.

6. Cambridge Home School Online

a student attending online school

If you’re considering switching from conventional schooling to online schooling, Cambridge Home School Online should be your top selection. Established in 2002, our institution has been providing a quality Cambridge online education to students for over 20 years.

Presently, we’re accepting applications from students living in the UK, Europe (including Western Russia), South Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Explore the following pages for more information about our programs, policies, philosophy, and fee structure:

We’re excited to have you on board! If you have further questions, please feel free to contact our team. We’re always happy to help. You can also open our live chat box to receive prompt support from our experts.

As one of the most trusted, experienced, and esteemed online British international schools, we help our students become high achievers and enjoy multi-faceted success. Let’s take the first few steps towards a brighter, better future.

FAQ

What are the four schooling stages in the British education system?

The British education system comprises four key stages:

  • Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 10)
  • Lower School/Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13)
  • Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16)
  • Sixth Form/AS & A-Levels (ages 17 to 19)

Each stage offers a well-balanced and interdisciplinary curriculum that caters to students’ academic and personal development.

What advantages do students gain from following the British education system?

Students who engage with the British education system have a better chance of academic success and improved job prospects in the future. This system is globally recognised for its comprehensiveness, robustness, and focus on both academic and skill-building activities.

How does CHS Online help in academic progression?

CHS Online employs highly qualified teachers with MA, MSc, or PhD degrees. These subject specialists assist students in developing both soft and hard skills. Personalised teaching approaches are utilised to identify and improve upon students’ academic strengths and weaknesses.

What resources are available for students at CHS Online?

Students at CHS Online have access to an eLibrary that contains a variety of resources such as videos, PowerPoint presentations, books, worksheets, and study guides. These resources help students complete homework and improve revision techniques.

What kind of examination preparation support is provided at CHS Online?

At CHS Online, students receive thorough preparation for their A Level examinations. The support includes teaching expertise, tools, and guidance that help students build exam confidence and improve time management skills.