Arcadia Academy is a Cambridge International School, accredited by Cambridge International Examinations, the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds, and part of the University of Cambridge.
We are accredited for the Primary and Lower Secondary (Secondary 1) programme (Years 1-9, age 5-14), IGCSE programme (Years 10 and 11, age 14-16) and A-levels (Years 12 and 13, age 16-18).
The bedrock of the school’s strength is its focus on high academic achievement, delivered through high expectations of all students and staff.
The curriculum offer remains inclusive within the framework of a British curriculum, with an international twist, and is developing significant elements of innovation that will equip students well for the future.
The pupils’ default position of mutual support, their astonishing ability in the arts and sport and their confidence when addressing their peers, visitors and staff. A reputation for excellence and an emphasis on outstanding teaching, academic achievement, service to others, teamwork and leadership.
For parents and children alike, the transfer of the educational experience from the family home to a more formal environment can be a daunting time. Of course, it remains a cooperative process but we believe our philosophy and resources help make the transition as easy and enjoyable as possible.
The term ‘pre-school’ can be something of a misnomer: at Arcadia our youngest pupils are as much a part of the school as the eldest. However, they benefit from a beautiful, spacious and well-resourced classroom of their own. Our tailor-made curriculum combines a Montessori approach with the Early Years Programme as dictated by the National Curriculum of England and Wales.
With a wide range of resources and – most importantly – the care and support of committed, trained staff, our pre-school programme provides young learners with a safe and vibrant environment in which to learn, develop and adjust to school life.
Cambridge International for pre-school helps to prepare pupils for the challenges they will face later on; we focus on literacy, maths, practical life, personal, social, physical and emotional development as well as expressive arts and design.
In following the Jolly Phonics schemes of work, children are innovatively introduced to early phonetic skills. They investigate a new letter sound each week, exploring the words associated with the letter and undertaking related activities.
Many of the tasks they participate in also help to develop their muscular coordination and sensorial skills.We appreciate that children learn at different speeds and in different ways; our pre-school education aims to accommodate a range of learning styles, while readying pupils for the next step on their journey of educational discovery.
A typical day in pre-school:
08:30-09:15 Circle time and early morning activities
09:15-10:00 Free play
10:00-10:30 Snack time
10:30-11:15 Teacher-guided activities
11:15-12:00 Story time
12:00-13:00 Lunch time and supervised outdoor activities
13:00-14:30 Afternoon activities
Arcadia Academy has fully implemented the Cambridge Primary Curriculum Framework for English, Mathematics and Science.
English
Cambridge Primary English enables learners to communicate confidently and effectively and to develop the critical skills to respond to a range of information, media and texts with understanding and enjoyment. Learners who follow this curriculum framework will develop a first language competency in English based on a curriculum designed to be successful in any culture and to promote cross-cultural understanding.
Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum framework explores five content areas: number, geometry, measure, handling data and problem solving. This curriculum focuses on principles, patterns, systems, functions and relationships so that learners can apply their mathematical knowledge and develop a holistic understanding of the subject.
Science
This curriculum framework covers four content areas: scientific enquiry, biology, chemistry and physics. Scientific enquiry is about considering ideas, evaluating evidence, planning, investigating, recording and analysing data. Environmental awareness and some history of science are also part of the curriculum.
Click here to find out more about Cambridge Primary.
Wider Curriculum
The National Curriculum for England and Wales (Key Stages 1 and 2) is used for the wider curriculum subjects: Design & Technology, Computing, History, Geography, Art & Design, Modern Languages, Music and PE. The curriculum is standardised and followed by hundreds of British schools around the world. By choosing a British education for your son or daughter, you can ensure continuity in their education anywhere in the world.
A typical school day:
08:30-10:00 Lessons Block 1
10:00-10:30 Snack time
10:30–12:00 Lessons Block 2
12:00-13:00 Lunch time and supervised outdoor activities
13:00-14:30 Lessons Block 3
14:30-14:40 Snack time
14:40-15:30 Homework Club / Afterschool activities
Cambridge Secondary 1 develops skills and understanding in English, Mathematics and Science for the first three years of secondary education.
English
Cambridge Secondary 1 English enables learners to communicate confidently and effectively and to develop the skills to respond to a range of information, media and texts with understanding and enjoyment. Learners who follow this framework will develop a first language competency in English based on a curriculum designed to be successful in any culture and to promote cross-cultural understanding.
Mathematics
The curriculum framework explores six content areas: number, algebra, geometry, measure, handling data and problem solving. The first five content areas are all underpinned by problem solving, which provides a structure for the application of mathematical skills. Mental strategies are also an important part of the number content. The curriculum focuses on principles, patterns, systems, functions and relationships, so that learners apply their mathematical knowledge and develop a holistic understanding of the subject.
Science
This curriculum framework covers four content areas: scientific enquiry, biology, chemistry and physics. Scientific enquiry is about considering ideas, evaluating evidence, planning investigative work, and recording and analysing data. The scientific enquiry objectives underpin biology, chemistry and physics, which are focused on developing confidence and interest in scientific knowledge. Environmental awareness and some history of science are also part of the curriculum.
Click here to find out more about Cambridge Secondary 1.
Wider Curriculum
The National Curriculum for England and Wales (Key Stage 3) is used for the wider curriculum subjects: Design & Technology, Computing, History, Geography, Art & Design, Modern Languages, Music and PE. The curriculum is standardised and followed by hundreds of British schools around the world. By choosing a British education for your son or daughter, you can ensure continuity in their education anywhere in the world.
Cambridge Secondary 2 includes Cambridge IGCSE, the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. It is recognised by leading universities and employers worldwide, and is an international passport to progression and success. Developed over 25 years ago, it is tried, tested and trusted by schools worldwide.
The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum offers a variety of routes for learners with a wide range of abilities, including those whose first language is not English.
Arcadia Academy has built a curriculum around our specific needs, with Cambridge International Examination’s help. Starting from a foundation of core subjects, we added breadth and cross-curricular perspectives. Encouraging learners to engage with a variety of subjects, and make connections between them, is fundamental to our approach.
Cambridge IGCSE offers a flexible and stimulating curriculum, supported with excellent resources and training. For learners, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.
Cambridge IGCSE develops learner knowledge, understanding and skills in: subject content, applying knowledge and understanding to new as well as unfamiliar situations, intellectual enquiry, flexibility and responsiveness to change, working and communicating in English, influencing outcomes, and cultural awareness.
Click here to find out more about Cambridge IGCSE.
Arcadia Academy offers the following IGCSE subjects:
Group 1 – Languages:
0500 English as a First Language
0530 Spanish as a Foreign Language
Group 2 – Humanities:
0408 World Literature
0457 Global Perspectives
Group 3 – Sciences:
0610 Biology
0620 Chemistry
0625 Physics
Group 4 – Mathematics:
0580 Mathematics
Group 5 – Professional and Creative:
0413 Physical Education
Cambridge offers an ICE (International Certificate of Education) group qualification for candidates who achieve 7 subject passes A*-C.
Cambridge IGCSE offers a flexible and stimulating curriculum, supported with excellent resources and training. For learners, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.
Cambridge IGCSE offers a flexible and stimulating curriculum, supported with excellent resources and training. For learners, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.
Cambridge International: A-Levels
Cambridge International AS & A Level develops learners’ knowledge, understanding and skills in:
– In-depth subject content
– Independent thinking
– Applying knowledge, understanding to new/familiar situations
– Handling and evaluating different types of information source
– Thinking logically and presenting ordered and coherent arguments
– Making judgements, recommendations and decisions
– Presenting reasoned explanations, understanding implications, communicating logically, clearly
– Working and communicating in English
Learn how Cambridge A Levels is a doorway to the best universities in the world
Cambridge A levels offers a choice of 55 subjects and allows learners to specialise in a particular subject area or study a range of subjects. Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year. Some subjects can be started as a Cambridge International AS Level and extended to a Cambridge International A Level.
Find out more about the different assessment options.
Arcadia tutoring offers effective and supportive private tuition for students taking Cambridge primary examinations and IGCSEs. Tutoring provides private tuition for students looking to accelerate learning and prepare for Cambridge examinations
We have tutors available for a range of Cambridge subjects including:
– Maths
– Science (whether for double or combined science awards or biology,
– Chemistry and physics)
– English literature and English language
– French, Spanish, Italian, German and other languages
– History
– Geography
– Computer science
Arcadia teaches your children the skills that they will need to compete in the world of tomorrow.
Alongside provision for additional learning any pupil may have, Arcadia also supports a number of pupils for whom English is an additional language where this presents as a barrier to their learning until their language acquisition fully develops and until they can follow the lessons for their age. The flagged students are identified early in the year and from September they are asked to attend ESL lessons after school where they are divided into several groups according to their age and English level. This information is transparent and students, teachers and parents are all timely informed.
Taking the Cambridge International Examinations
Cambridge International Examination diplomas are recognized for admission by UK universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), as well as universities in the United States (Stanford and all Ivy League universities), Canada, European Union, Australia and around the world.
Students enrolled at other schools and educational systems may apply to pass Cambridge exams at Arcadia, a certified Cambridge International Examination center.
