The British System

Our objectives are not simply to ensure that your child is bilingual in English and Spanish. A British education creates open-minded, creative and dynamic individuals. Your child will learn from first-hand experience, not just text books. They will be encouraged to be creative in their thinking and they are expected to work hard every day.

The-British-System-V2
kings-college-The British-System-Play-to-learn

Play to learn

Ages 2 – 5 | Pre-Nursery to Reception Young children learn through exploration. Everything they do, from kicking a ball, building with blocks and painting, to singing in a group, is done in English and it is designed to help them understand their environment. Sometimes it gets messy, but it’s always rewarding and develops them socially, mentally and physically. 


kings-college-The British-System-exploration-and-evaluation

Exploration and evaluation

Ages 5 – 7 | School years 1 – 2 A more structured approach to the day helps children to start learning how to read, write and count in English.We still encourage children to explore and play, but they are able to describe their discoveries in words and numbers.


kings-college-The British-System-communicate-and-articulate

Communicate and articulate

Ages 7 – 11 | School years 3 – 6 Children are naturally curious. In Junior school we encourage them to learn about things that interest them while consolidating their numeracy and literacy skills. We teach children how to apply these basic skills to other subject areas – such as Science, Art and History.


kings-college-The British-System- Interrogate-and-debate

Interrogate and debate

Ages 11 – 16 | School years 7 – 11 As children get older we teach them to think more critically. They learn how to investigate, test and think about things rationally. Classes are more focused on formal “subject based” learning.Nine or ten IGCSE exams are taken at the end of this stage in different subjects.


colegio británico en Madrid

Think and act

Ages 16 – 18 | School years 12 – 13 The final two years at school mark the beginning of adulthood. Pupils make choices and work hard during these years that prepare them for university and then the start of their careers.Once pupils have finished their IGCSEs they choose three or four A Level exams – which are accepted by universities around the world.


kings-college-The British-System-exploration-and-evaluation

University and beyond

Age 18+ Nearly all King’s pupils go on to university, mostly in the UK and Spain. Academic success helps guarantee a good career but we also want children who have been to King’s College to become good parents, partners and friends.