Why a Broad Curriculum is Best for Your Child

At Network International School, we are deeply committed to providing an education that not only meets but exceeds global standards, ensuring every student is fully prepared for university and successful careers. Our broad curriculum and the expectation that students complete a broad academic profile for IGCSEs are not just school policies, they are key strategic advantages designed to unlock your child's full potential. 

Cultivating Well-Rounded Global Citizens

Our commitment to a broad, balanced curriculum in the Secondary years is deliberate. It ensures that students retain an understanding of a wide range of subjects, from the sciences and humanities to the arts, before specialising later at A Level. This approach offers several profound benefits. Firstly, it ensures holistic development, as it nurtures the intellectual, creative, and critical faculties across diverse domains, fostering a well-rounded individual ready for the complexities of the modern world. Secondly, it allows for informed future choices. By studying a variety of subjects, students gain a genuine understanding of where their passions and aptitudes lie, leading to more informed and successful choices when they select their A Level subjects and their undergraduate degree beyond.

Setting High Expectations

We hold high expectations for our students because we know they are fully capable of this level of achievement. The number of IGCSEs a student takes is a key indicator of their commitment, work ethic, and ability to manage a demanding workload. The average number of GCSEs taken by students at UK independent schools is between 9 and 10. By offering our students the same, they are competitive with UK students and highly desirable applicants for the world's top universities. Furthermore, achieving nine strong grades provides universities with powerful evidence of capability, demonstrating your child's academic stamina, intellectual breadth, and ability to excel under pressure: all qualities essential for success in higher education.

Direct Routes to British University Success

Our curriculum is meticulously designed to offer a seamless pathway to top British universities, with specific subjects providing a critical edge. Achieving a strong grade in English as a First Language is a key route into British universities as it meets or exceeds their rigorous English language proficiency requirements. This qualification is universally accepted and immediately positions our graduates competitively against applicants from the UK. In addition, the study of English Literature is invaluable for building cultural capital. By engaging with classic and modern literary texts, our students gain a shared body of knowledge that enriches their world view and prepares them for the academic culture of a UK university. Studying the same foundation texts as their peers in the UK means they arrive at their degree course with a shared, deep understanding of canonical works, making for a smoother and more confident transition to undergraduate study.

Assurance of Quality: BSO-Accredited Excellence

We are proud to be BSO-accredited (British Schools Overseas) by the UK Department for Education. This accreditation is a highly significant external validation. The BSO inspection confirms that the quality of education we provide, including the curriculum, teaching, pupil welfare, and leadership, is comparable to the best independent schools in the UK, offering a comparable UK experience. For you as a parent, BSO accreditation provides the assurance that your child is receiving a high-quality British education that is recognised and respected internationally and meets guaranteed standards.

At Network International School, we are not just preparing students for examinations; we are forging resilient, knowledgeable, and internationally competitive young adults. Our broad curriculum and IGCSE pathway are essential parts of this successful journey.

At the start of Options Week 2025, parents of our Year 9 students are all invited to talk with teachers about all elements of our broad curriculum, including each and every one of our wide variety of subjects, at the Options Fair on Wednesday 26th November. Students then submit their preferences for option subjects and we build our timetable around those preferences each year. At Network International School, there are no dictated pathways for subject combinations, we cater to our students’ needs, creating timetable blocks that provide the best possible opportunities for each individual student.