British Institute in Alicante | Secondary

LES offers a British education at secondary level from ages 11 to 18, with three large blocks or stages of study: Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13), Key Stage 4 (ages 14 to 16) and Sixth Form (ages 16 -18 years). Key Stage 4 is associated with the preparation and official GCSE exams while the last two are associated with the official A Levels and PCE exams in the case of the Spanish curriculum.

Programme of our British Institute in Alicante

The British secondary curriculum of LES runs from 11 to 18 years of age, with three main stages of study: Key Stage 3 (11 to 13 years), Key Stage 4 (14 to 16 years), and Sixth Form (16-18 years) . Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form are associated with the official GCSE, A Level, and PCE examinations in the case of the Spanish curriculum.

Secondary stages in LES

Key Stage 3 – Years 7-9, 11-13 years old

All KS3 pupils follow a broad programme to give them a solid foundation before choosing their specialisms at KS4. The core subjects of English, Maths, Science, Humanities and Spanish are supplemented by Art, Drama, Music, Cookery, IT and PE.

In addition, pupils can choose from French, German or English support.

Key Stage 4 – Year 10/11, 14-16 year olds

KS4 pupils follow a programme of GCSEs (to be chosen at the end of Year 9).

Pupils follow a programme of core subjects in English, Spanish, Maths and Science.

In addition, they will choose 5 further subjects from over 20 options.

Sixth Form – Years 12/13, 16-18 years old

Sixth Form students are free to choose 3 or 4 A Level subjects from the 20 options, which include Photography, Graphic Communication and Marine Science. This choice will be carefully planned in conjunction with the pupil’s tutor and parents, depending on the career they wish to study and their future aspirations.

At Lady Elizabeth School we offer a wide range of over 20 specialised subjects

IGCSE is a three-year course. Pupils starting Year 9 in September 2023 will be examined in the summer of 2026 at the end of Year 11. This is Key Stage 4 of the British National Curriculum. Click HERE to view our 2024 IGCSE Options Booklet.

GCSE is the General Certificate of Secondary Education. IGCSE is the International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Both are recognized worldwide.

Each student must study a minimum of 5 GCSE Certificate subjects.

All students take IGCSE core subjects:

✓ English

✓ Mathematics

✓ Spanish

Students must take one science subject and have the options of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Marine Science or LES Science (if the student is not going to study science in the future and stays in Spain).

GCSE subject blocks at LES: For timetabling purposes, GCSE subjects are divided into blocks. Only 1 subject can be chosen in each block. The blocks are changed each year in an attempt to accommodate as many students as possible with their first choices, but this is not guaranteed.

All students can choose from the following electives – click HERE to view our IGCSE 2024 options booklet.

Advantages of studying at our British Institute

✓ GCSEs – one of the most respected academic qualifications in the world!

✓ GCSEs are accepted as recognised qualifications in most countries, including 45 of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, along with countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

✓ A wide variety of subjects – more than 25! – to suit all students’ interests and future paths.

✓ An opportunity for every child to gain meaningful qualifications that act as a launch pad for their educational future.

✓ Amazing learning beyond the classroom with hands-on activities and events at school, trips, Clubs Plus, the ISP International ILOS programme and much more.

Sixth form, the final stage of our British school

Sixth Form (Y12 & Y13) are the last two years of school, corresponding to the Spanish Bachillerato. At LES we follow A-Levels (Advanced Level qualifications), a British subject-based qualification for students aged 16 and over. These are taken over two years and offer recognised qualifications for entry to higher education in the UK and many other countries around the world. Students wishing to improve their qualifications for entry to Spanish universities are strongly recommended to take additional PCE subjects. Discover over 20 subjects to choose from to find your own career path and prepare for life beyond school.

``The emphasis is on helping the students choose the right subjects, ready for whatever it is they want to do in the future``

Maria Wickman Head of Sixth Form at LES

``I really enjoy it here. Sixth form is like a big community, we share a lot of spaces and you can go to a lot of people if you need help``

Amelia Y13 2022/2023

Sixth form is a great big family!

Callum Head Boy Sixth Form 2022/2023

My subjects are Computer Science, Business, Spanish and Chinese. My wish is to be a Software Engineer in the USA

Pepe Y13 2022/2023

``The thing I really love is that teachers are always so welcoming. I have been here for a year and they have made me feel like I have been here for ages``

Henry Y13 2022/2023

``We have new well designed facilities. I am learning Maths, Physics, Economics and I plan to be an F1 Engineer``

Austin Y13 2022/2023

``We all have the same goals, to be the best version of ourselves, which is encouraged by our teachers and other students``

Beatriz Head Girl Sixth Form 2022/2023