“Leadership & Learning Are Indispensable To Each Other”
John F. Kennedy
Our secondary school curriculum has been designed to meet the requirements of current national guidelines and our commitment to providing a wide range of subjects, including modern languages and vocational training options. Students are grouped differently depending on the needs of the subject.
Secondary school - key stage 4 (years 10 & 11)
At the end of this key stage, students take the national assessment tests GCSEs (GCSEs are the standard national qualifications at this age in England and Wales).
General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations (GCSEs) were introduced in 1986 (they replaced GCE ‘O’ Levels and CSEs).
Internationally students sit GCSEs and IGCSEs. IGCSEs were introduced in 1988 and are internationally recognised qualifications. The I in IGCSE means international. The difference between the two (GCSE and IGCSE) is simply that international contexts are used with IGCSEs (so that the studies are not UK centric and difficult to access for students that have not lived in the UK).
The content is similar in GCSEs and IGCSEs and they are equally challenging and valued.
Worldwide, students in British curriculum schools can sit IGCSEs and GCSEs examinations.
At BSL, we will offer a combination of GCSEs and IGCSEs.
I/GCSEs (used to mean GCSEs and IGCSEs) are a two year course and students will sit their I/GCSEs at the end of Year 11.
Students will study, and be examined in, a broad range of subjects.
The norm is for students to take between 8 and 10 GCSEs and this will be the case at the British School of Lisbon (with more academically able students taking 10 I/GCSEs).
The compulsory national curriculum in Years 10 and 11 contains the ‘core’ and ‘foundation’ or ‘optional’ subjects.
Students have some choices of subjects studied in Years 10 and 11 and at this key stage there is the option to study some new subjects.
The norm will be for students to take I/GCSE English Language and I/GCSE English Literature. English as a Second Language students might take I/GCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) instead of both I/GCSE English Language and I/GCSE English Literature.
All students will take a language other than English.
All students at BSL will study Mathematics. Some students will also study an extension Mathematics course.
Most students will study two Sciences as a minimum at BSL (from Biology, Chemistry, Physics). There will be the option of studying all 3 Sciences.
To learn more about our Key Stage 4 (I/GCSE) curriculum, including the full range of subjects offered, please click below to view our I/GCSE Curriculum Booklet.
Secondary school - key stage 5 (years 12 & 13)
A Levels – The Gold Standard of British Education
The Sixth Form at the British School of Lisbon (BSL) will represent the pinnacle of a truly British international education. Our AS and A Level programme is designed to inspire ambition, independence and excellence, giving students the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed at leading universities worldwide.
While other schools offer A Levels in the Lisbon area, the experience at BSL will be distinctive - defined by our small classes, exceptional teaching, personalised mentoring and our forward-looking ‘University Track’ enrichment programme.
A Levels at BSL – Depth, choice and excellence for the leaders of tomorrow
At BSL, students will benefit from a learning environment that combines academic rigour with genuine care and individual attention. Our teachers are subject specialists who will guide each student to explore their intellectual passions in depth while developing the curiosity and self-discipline needed for life beyond school.
We will be offering modular International A Levels, allowing students to gain qualifications at both AS Level (Year 12) and A Level (Year 13), which provides flexibility and a more balanced assessment structure than the linear model used in the UK. Linear A Levels also differ in this way to the IB Diploma, which has all its terminal examinations taking place at the end of Year 13.
Studying A Levels at BSL
Studying A Levels at BSL will be about more than subject mastery - it will be about personal growth. Our ‘University Track’ programme will extend far beyond the traditional curriculum, combining academic study with leadership, community service, work experience and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This holistic approach will ensure that students leave BSL not only with excellent qualifications but also with the confidence, independence and real-world experience that universities and employers value.
Why A Levels may be better for some students than the IB Diploma
While both the A Level and IB Diploma are internationally respected qualifications, A Levels provide greater flexibility and depth for students who wish to focus on their individual strengths. The IB Diploma is well suited to “all-rounders” who enjoy maintaining a broad range of six subjects, whereas A Levels allow students to specialise in the three or four disciplines they are most passionate about and best equipped to excel in. With approximately 360 teaching hours per subject, A Levels promote genuine subject mastery, analytical thinking and academic confidence, the ideal preparation for success at leading universities in the UK, Europe, the US and beyond.
The BSL approach
BSL’s Sixth Form will combine a strong academic foundation with enrichment opportunities that nurture leadership, creativity and resilience. Students will be supported through tailored university guidance, one-to-one mentoring and access to world-class resources at our BSL Restelo Campus. We believe this combination of challenge and support will prepare students not only to gain top university places but to thrive once there.
To learn about our curriculum in more detail, including subjects offered and entry requirements, please click below to view our AS Level / A Level Curriculum Booklet.