STUDY PLAN

At The British School of Málaga, we offer our students an educational experience that combines British academic excellence with personal development, providing a well-rounded education that prepares them for the challenges of a globalised world. Our curriculum follows the guidelines of the UK education system, which allows us to offer a high quality education, taught by qualified professionals committed to the holistic development of our students.

The UK curriculum is structured in several stages which guide students from their first steps in formal education through to preparation for university and working life. The keys to our method are as follows.

• The educational project: We prepare people, not just students. We prepare for life, not just for exams. We grow, learn and progress together.
• Double qualification: Students obtain both British and Spanish certification and can access any national or international university.
• The language of the world: English. It is our language and we teach it as it would be taught in the UK, from 3 to 18 years old, with native teachers.
• The skills: Our system encourages practical skills and our core values focus on their development.
• The opportunities: Extra-curricular life, international exchanges, public speaking and many opportunities for students to develop their lives beyond the classroom.

Educational stages in the UK education system

The British education system is divided into several stages, each designed to meet the specific developmental needs of pupils.

British Curriculum

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides a safe and stimulating environment where young children can learn through play and exploration. Pupils aged 3-5 years develop basic language, maths, social and emotional skills. At this stage, they are encouraged to be curious, creative and develop self-confidence. 

Our pupils begin to learn English at this age, when they have high innate language skills.

Primary (Key Stage 1 y Key Stage 2)

In Primary Education, which covers ages 5 to 11, students begin to consolidate basic academic skills. This stage is divided into two parts: Key Stage 1 (from 5 to 7 years) and Key Stage 2 (from 7 to 10 years). During this phase, the curriculum includes subjects such as mathematics, English language, science, history, geography, art and physical education. In addition to the acquisition of academic knowledge, emphasis is placed on the development of interpersonal skills and teamwork, preparing pupils for future challenges.

Secundary (Key Stage 3 y Key Stage 4)

The Secondary stage runs from 11 to 16 years of age and is divided into Key Stage 3 (11 to 14 years) and Key Stage 4 (14 to 16 years). In Key Stage 3, students broaden their knowledge in core subjects, including literature, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and technology. In Key Stage 4, students prepare for GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations, choosing subjects that will enable them to pursue their areas of interest, such as science, humanities, the arts and modern languages.

Sixth Form – A Levels

The Baccalaureate stage (16-18 years) is known as the Sixth Form and is designed to prepare students for university or further study. At this stage, students choose from a wide range of subjects, called A Levels, which allow them to specialise in the areas they are most interested in and in which they wish to focus their academic and professional future. 

We offer subjects in fields as diverse as the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), the humanities (history, geography, philosophy), mathematics, economics, and the arts. The curriculum is designed to develop students’ research, critical analysis and problem-solving skills.

Validation of Spanish studies

At The British School of Málaga, British teaching is complemented by Spanish subjects. In fact, the Spanish Department has a strong emphasis in both Primary and Secondary and, of course, in the equivalent stage of the Baccalaureate.

Students study their British subjects as they would in any English school in the world and, in addition, a key selection of Spanish subjects make our school a truly bicultural institution in the heart of Malaga. The Spanish subjects are: Language and Social Studies during the Primary stage; Language and Literature together with Geography and History when they enter Secondary; and finally, they have a choice of different Spanish Baccalaureate subjects on offer, of which they choose and take 2 depending on each student’s academic pathway and future academic future.

This model of British curriculum complemented with Spanish subjects gives us a unique advantage: they obtain both the British qualification and the ESO and Spanish Bachillerato, the double qualification. When they finish their education at The British School of Málaga, students decide whether they want to go to British, international or Spanish universities, in all cases through a direct route.

We have a department dedicated to the homologation and comprehensive support of Spanish studies. The Director Técnico of the Spanish Currculum is responsible for coordinating all compulsory Spanish Language and Culture studies, both in Primary and Secondary, as well as managing the relevant authorisations and documentation with the Education Delegation of the Andalusian Regional Government.

Another task carried out by the Director Técnico is the homologation of British studies to the Spanish equivalent. At the end of Year 11, the homologation of the ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education) qualification is processed, and at the end of Year 13, the homologation of the Spanish Bachillerato qualification.

At The British School of Malaga, the same department is responsible for managing direct access to Spanish universities for all those students who wish to apply for places at both public and private universities.

Differences between the British curriculum and the Spanish curriculum

The British curriculum differs from the Spanish education system in several fundamental aspects. One of the most notable differences is the pedagogical approach. While the Spanish system focuses more on the memorisation of content, the British curriculum prioritises the development of critical thinking, creativity and problem solving.

Another significant difference is the structure of the curriculum. The British system is divided into Key Stages, which allows for a more detailed monitoring of student progress and an adaptation of the content according to their needs. In contrast, the Spanish system has a more homogeneous structure, with a generalist approach up to the end of Baccalaureate. In the British curriculum, students have the opportunity to specialise in specific areas at an earlier age, allowing them to deepen their interests.

At The British School of Málaga, we believe in the importance of preparing our students not just to pass exams, but to be engaged citizens who are well prepared to face the challenges of the future. The British curriculum provides a unique balance between the acquisition of academic knowledge and the development of personal skills, so that our students acquire an education that will enable them to succeed in the future.