British Secondary - IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

World Class Curricula

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP)

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have transitioned into the IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) which is an exciting and dynamic international curriculum framework which ensures students have a strong academic foundation alongside the personal skills central to success as learners. The IB programmes of study have been chosen because of their close alignment to the TES vision and mission which permeate throughout life at the school. We take pride in the way we create the environment in which internationally minded, curious young people who are socially able and academically driven can flourish.

Concept-based learning is at the heart of the MYP and research-based contemporary education more broadly. By ensuring conceptual understanding is in each unit of work, learners go further than memorising facts to develop an application of their learning that allows them to make connections between topics and subjects to further their understanding.

The IB MYP will have full replaced the IGCSE programme from 2026 onward, as introduction has been on a rolling basis since introduction began 2021-22.

The IB goal is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will allow them to think critically, reflect upon their choices and respect others in the global and local community. The programme provides opportunities to connect classroom practices and content to broader issues and the world outside through the Concepts and Global Contexts. In essence, they support the questions: ‘why are we learning this?’ and ‘why is this learning important?’.

Concepts

A concept is a ‘big idea’ or principle which allows students to learn beyond the subject matter or context of any particular topic. Concept-based learning is at the heart of the MYP Programme and research-based contemporary education more broadly. By ensuring conceptual understanding is in each unit of work, learners go further than memorising facts to develop an application of their learning that allows them to make connections between topics and subjects to further their understanding. Each unit of work will explore one overarching Key Concept which frames the inquiry, in addition to two or more Related Concepts rooted in the subject discipline.

Global Contexts

The six Global Contexts form a framework which ensures that learning is always set in a context which is relevant to the students. They form a common language between all of the subject areas and aim to ensure that student learning is connected to what is happening in the real world. Each unit of work that the students engage with will be rooted in one of the Global Contexts: Identities and relationships Orientation in space and time Personal and cultural expression Scientific and technical innovation Globalisation and sustainability Fairness and development.

Find out more about the programme in the MYP Curriculum Overview Booklet.

IGCSE - International General Certificate of Secondary Education

The two-year IGCSE programme commences in the first year of High School. All students have access to enriching learning opportunities designed by teachers to prepare them for the IB Diploma Programme and, ultimately, entry to some of the world’s best universities and courses.

IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Each IGCSE subject is a qualification in its own right and most students finish their second year of High School with up to 10 internationally-recognised qualifications.

Some subjects are prescribed, whereas others are chosen. The breadth of study is a key element which helps students to make more informed choices about their IB subject options. Find out more about the different subjects in our IGCSE Curriculum Overview Booklet.