Students in Key Stage 3 follow the National Curriculum for England and Wales. This includes the following subjects: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, ICT, Music, Art, Drama, Design Technology, PSCHE, Physical Education, and a Modern Foreign Language - French, German or Spanish.
Students are also given the opportunity to study their native language and the school currently offers French, German, Greek and Romanian.
A small number of students study English as an additional language. This is offered to those pupils who are new to the school and find English difficult.
Teachers engage students by using a wide range of lively activities; lessons are interactive and challenging, extending students' understanding and their ability to develop critical thinking. BSB offers an extensive range of subjects and lesson delivery is complemented by the resources available. Class teachers make use of the whiteboard and the portable laptops, there are fully equipped Music and Science rooms, and the sports facilities have been revolutionised by the addition of the dome.
The secondary school bases its principles on a positive behaviour strategy which is an extension of the programme operated in the primary school. Good work is rewarded through individual merit points, congratulatory postcards and letters, and certificates. Contribution to school life is awarded through the house point system where students are given points which then go towards the end of year trophy for the house with the most credits. Running parallel to this is a sanctions system whereby poor or unacceptable behaviour is noted and an accumulation of strikes will result in a punishment. The rewards and sanctions are clearly explained to students at the beginning of the year and this forms encouragement and sets boundaries in which they are able to work.
All students in secondary school are offered a range of extra-curricular activities that range from academic programmes to sporting and fun activities.
Throughout Key Stage 3 all students will undergo formative assessment based on National Curriculum levels. These assessments take place every half term and take the form of essays, written and verbal tests, projects and presentations. They provide indicators for both students and teachers of where the student is at a moment in time and what they need to aim for. They are able to set targets for improvement. In May of each year, students will sit end of year examinations and the results of these help inform teachers of individual progress in preparation for the following year. In Years 7 and 8, students will sit option SATs papers in English, Maths and Science and these are marked internally. In Year 9, students will also sit SAT papers and these will be externally marked in the UK
In November all students will receive a target setting review which looks at where the students are at this point in time. Teachers will set targets for the students to work towards in the pursuit of improvement. All students will receive a second report after their examinations which take place throughout the year.
Several evenings are arranged over the course of the academic year whereby parents have the opportunity to meet teachers. The secondary school holds several information evenings regarding transition, IGCSE options, and Post 16 education. There is also a consultation evening in November following the target setting, and one after year groups have completed examinations and the reports have been issued. Over and above this, parents are welcome to meet with teachers to discuss their child's progress at any time throughout the year, though we do ask you make an appointment through the office.
BSB is an accredited testing centre for the American School Assessment Test (SSAT). Children relocating with their families to the USA can take their test with us prior to their departure.
Year 7 entry for children aged 11 by 31st August.
Year 8 entry for children aged 12 by 31st August.
Year 9 entry for children aged 13 by 31st August.
