What is the English National Curriculum and what benefits can it bring to your child
The English National Curriculum is a robust and challenging system of education that includes a series of measurable and achievable goals, each designed to build on what went before whilst preparing the student for their future.
According to ISC Research, there are around 12,000 schools teaching through the medium of English. Over 40% of them teach the English National Curriculum, making it the leader in international education, thanks to the strong reputation that British education enjoys around the world.
It is a curriculum that is broad and balanced. It emphasises children’s welfare alongside academic attainment. Furthermore, it is a curriculum that is recognised for university entrance in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
How St. Andrews Sathorn applies the British English National Curriculum
At St. Andrews Sathorn, our emphasis is on adapting the English National Curriculum to suit the needs of our diverse, international community. This means we are able to provide the best of both worlds: a challenging and rigorous academic programme, balanced within a broad and rich curriculum that is future-facing and truly global in nature. The result is an experience filled with powerful and engaging learning opportunities, which cater not only to our students’ academic needs, but also to their physical, social, emotional and cultural development. This is strengthened by our extensive range of after school extra curricular activities which enrich a child’s development.
A curriculum for future global citizens
For our children to gain an international perspective and become active global citizens, our curriculum provides opportunities for them to learn about real world issues in an age-appropriate way. Where possible, we link these topics to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide real life projects that allow the children to develop an awareness of key issues facing the world and the part they can play in solving them. These themed projects also provide excellent opportunities to develop key skills such as: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity (the 4Cs).
The benefits of outdoor learning
As a British English National Curriculum school in Bangkok, we strongly believe in the power and benefits of outdoor learning. At St Andrews Sathorn this comes to life through a sequenced and challenging Outdoor Education curriculum that equips our students with a wide range of skills, nurtures a connection to nature, and develops agency and resilience.
Given that St. Andrews is based in a busy city, we want our children to have the opportunity to get out into nature. This not only encourages them to care about the environment; it is also character building and encourages independence. These activities are carefully planned to be age appropriate; for example, younger children go on an overnight camping trip, whilst older children may go sailing, or to a rural location in northern Thailand, where they live for a week in residential accommodation, learning about local traditions and ways of living.
A wealth of extra curricular activities
St. Andrews Sathorn also offers an exceptional array of extra curricular activities for our children to choose from, ranging from archery and martial arts to a variety of arts and drama activities, including tuition in a broad selection of musical instruments.
Ultimately, it is an education curriculum that nurtures, motivates and encourages curiosity in children, providing them with an education that goes beyond borders, as well as being a global passport for university entrance and a lifetime of success.
Visit St. Andrews Sathorn for a personal tour
If you would like more information about the British English National Curriculum, and the other benefits that St. Andrews can offer your child/children please come and meet us by scheduling a personalised school tour. You can make an appointment via the Visit Sathorn form on our website, or call us. A virtual tour is also available for overseas parents moving to Bangkok.
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EY parents specific :
Effective Learning in Early Years
Our Early Years curriculum, whilst following the British English National Curriculum, is also firmly based on the principles of Effective Learning.
The three Characteristics of Effective Learning in the Early Years are:
• Playing and exploring: children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’ at a variety of activities.
• Active learning: children learn to concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties. This enhances enjoyment and pride in their achievements.
• Creating and thinking critically: the children are encouraged to have and to develop their own ideas, to make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things, or making something work.
