Curriculum | Senior School | The British School of Amsterdam

Curriculum

The Senior School at The British School of Amsterdam follows the National Curriculum used in England. Our structured academic pathways provide globally recognised qualifications, allowing our students' education to travel with them anywhere in the world.

IN THIS SECTION

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9)

Student engaging in a classroom lesson
Up to the age of 14, all students follow a broad and balanced core curriculum designed to build strong academic foundations and spark intellectual curiosity. This stage includes:
Core Curriculum
English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Computing, Physical Education, Music, Art, Drama, and PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education).
Language Selection
Students choose two languages to study from French, Spanish, and Dutch. For our native Dutch students, we offer a dedicated Native Dutch language course.
EAL Support
Comprehensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided to ensure non-native speakers can access the curriculum with confidence.
Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4 / GCSEs (Years 10 and 11)

Student engaging in a science activity
Key Stage 4 is a rigorous two-year programme leading to external GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and IGCSE qualifications. This provides the standard academic benchmark required for advanced global study.
Compulsory Core Subjects
English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Elective Options
In addition to the core curriculum, students select four elective subjects from our diverse offerings, including Business Studies, Media Studies, and all subjects studied in Key Stage 3.
Key Stage 5

Key Stage 5 / The Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13)

Students sitting in class

In our increasingly competitive and globalised world, our Sixth Form empowers young adults to reach their fullest academic potential. A Levels remain the absolute gold standard in secondary education, opening the doors to premier universities and career opportunities worldwide.

Our Sixth Form culture is built on collaboration, collegiality, and personal responsibility, creating an inspiring environment where students flourish through talent and hard work. The programme is built around three key components:

The Academic Pathway
Students select up to four subjects to study in Year 12 (AS Level) from our diverse range across the Arts, Languages, Humanities, Sciences, and Mathematics. In Year 13, students narrow their focus to three subjects (A2 Level) to complete their full A Levels. Courses are modular, assessed primarily by end-of-year examinations, with coursework components where appropriate.
The Compulsory Core
A structured program of Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) designed to support student wellbeing, leadership skills, and ethical growth during these transitional years.
Electives & Critical Thinking
Elective subjects and projects designed specifically to build independent study methods, critical thinking, and advanced problem-solving skills.