1. What are the school hours?
9.00 am to 4.30 pm
2. How many pupils are there at British School of Alicante?
1086
3. How many pupils are there in each class?
On average there are 25 pupils per class and three classes per year group.
4. What is the ratio of international students at the school?
75% Spanish and within the 25% foreign we have 40 nationalities including pupils from UK, China, Russia, United States, Italy, Germany, Denmark, France, Holland and others.
5. Which curriculum does the school follow?
The English National Curriculum.
6. Are the teachers British?
All academic staff teaching the English National Curriculum are qualified British teachers or, in the case of French, native speakers. Those teaching Spanish language, Spanish validation, Bachillerato and Valencian language are qualified native Spanish teachers.
7. Does British School of Alicante accept students with little or no English?
We take children with no English between the ages of 3 and 4 years. There are a limited number of places for non-English speaking Primary pupils between the ages of 6 and 9 of proven academic ability. From the age of 10 onwards new pupils must have a high level of English to enter the school.
8. What language do the children speak in the playground?
On the whole most of our students speak Spanish in the playground. Because of this, we find that new children joining the school with little or no knowledge of the language pick it up very quickly.
9. Will my child learn Spanish at British School of Alicante?
All students at British School of Alicante study Spanish. Spanish pupils are required to take a minimum number of Spanish classes per week, the frequency and number depending on their age. Non-Spanish speakers receive specific Spanish as a foreign language classes in addition to the Spanish Curriculum.
10. What other languages are available?
French and German to GCSE and GCE A Level; Chinese and German (as Optional activities)
11. Is religion part of the curriculum?
As a multicultural school we introduce our students to different religions and cultures and teach them moral values based on the western Christian tradition but which tend to be common to all religions. At Christmas we celebrate Christian activities such as Christmas plays and Carol singing.
12. What sports are available?
The British School of Alicante is able to offer a wide range of sporting activities including football (7 and 5-a-side pitches), basketball, tennis, volleyball, hockey, gymnastics, badminton, athletics, and swimming. There are also optional classes which take place after school (4.35 – 5.35 pm) and include amongst others tennis, ballet, judo etc.
13. How much homework is set?
This depends on the age of the pupil. As a general rule, in Early Years children will start to bring home reading and number homework during Reception.
In the Key Stage One children will be expected to read regularly at home (English and Spanish), they will have weekly spelling words to learn and will be set some basic maths homework, much of the homework will be set using online resources.
In Key Stage Two pupils use a homework diary to note down any homework tasks they need to remember. As in Key Stage One, children are expected to read regularly (English and Spanish), they will have weekly spelling words to learn and will be set maths and Spanish homework, much of the homework linked to the British Curriculum will be set using online resources. On occasion children will also be set project homework linked to the topics being studied.
In the Secondary Department pupils are set purposeful, relevant homework tasks on a regular basis. In years 7-9 pupils should expect to be doing no more than ½ hour – 1 hour of homework a night. In Years 10 and 11 the amount of homework would increase to 1 – 1 ½ hours.
In Years 12 and 13 students must take much more responsibility for their own learning and should expect, as a minimum, to be studying 6 to 8 hours a week per subject. If homework is not set they should use the time to review past content or read around their subject.
14. What examinations do students take at the school?
I/GCSE, GCE A Levels (CIE/EDEXCEL and AQA)
15. Where do students go after finishing their studies at British School of Alicante?
The majority of students go onto Universities in Spain and the UK. Some also attend Universities in other European countries and America.
16. Is it possible to study at British School of Alicante for one term only?
The minimum time we can normally accept students is for one whole academic year. Note also however that the I/GCSE courses in Years 10 & 11 and the A Level courses in Years 12 and 13 are integral 2 years programmes.
17. How well do new international students adapt to the school?
Students at British School of Alicante are used to welcoming newcomers and are always very friendly and helpful. Year Group Leaders make sure that “buddies” are always on hand to show newcomers the ropes at first. We always encourage new pupils to make new friends and join in with the rest.
18. How do I go about applying for a place for my child?
The first step in the admissions process is to send in an application form with full details of the pupil in question. The procedures for admission vary slightly according to the age of the candidate. We require de application form and copies of most recent school reports. Once these reports are received we invite all applicants to take our entrance exams (English, Maths and NVR) and a formal interview. Children applying for Nursery and Reception only need the application form. Please contact our Admissions officer at the following email, kca.admissions@kingscollegeschools.org or contact the school office on +34 965 106 351
