Preschool 2-3 years (as of 1st September) Nursery 3-4 years (as of 1st September) Reception 4-5 years (as of 1st September)

In the Early Years at NBIS we follow the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ curriculum, which is the national curriculum of the Unite Kingdom. It sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years of age. There are seven areas of learning and development within the EYFS curriculum. All these areas are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas, known as the prime areas, are: • Communication and language; • Physical development; and • Personal, social and emotional development. The other four curriculum areas are known as the specific areas, through these the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. These specific areas are: • Literacy; • Mathematics; • understanding the world; and • Expressive arts and design. The EYFS curriculum is ‘play based’ and the philosophy is that children learn best through ‘hands-on’ play. Our Teachers support, plan for, and provide meaningful activities based on the interests, developmental ages/stages, and individual needs of the children in their classes.

At NBIS, we follow the Cambridge Primary Curriculum in English, Maths, Science and Humanities. The children also have daily Chinese lessons and are taught Music, Art and PE by specialist teachers. The Cambridge Curriculum is an internationally recognised, robust curriculum that is based on the latest educational research. At NBIS we use high quality resources alongside Cambridge approved textbooks and workbooks to support teaching and learning across the curriculum.

At NBIS we keep our class sizes as small as is practically possible. In our Lower Primary (Y1-3) we aim to have a maximum of 20 students. In our Upper Primary (Y4-6) we aim for a maximum of 22. This allows for our teachers to personalise the learning to meet the needs of all the students in the class.

At NBIS all of our teachers are highly qualified and experienced. In each class there is an international homeroom teacher and a Chinese teacher, who work collaboratively in the classroom to support the children in their learning. When each child enrolls at NBIS, we carry out a WIDA assessment, which we use to inform us of their level of English Language development. We also have a dedicated Inclusion Team who provide support for class teachers and interventions for children, who need extra support.

Students in Years 10 and 11 follow a University of Cambridge I.G.C.S.E programme. The core curriculum is made up of: English (as a First or Second Language, with more able students also studying for World Literature), Mathematics, Chinese (as a First Language or a Foreign Language), and a choice of one Science subject (Biology or Chemistry or Physics). Options available are: Art, Travel & Tourism, I.C.T, Business Study, Drama, History and Geography. Examinations are sat in May/June of Year 11 and students must obtain a minimum grade of ‘C’ in order to take the subject in Year 12.

Year 12: Advanced Subsidiary Level
Students in Year 12 take 4 A.S (Advanced Subsidiary) subjects. The current subjects offered are: English Language, English Literature, General Paper, Mathematics, Chinese, History, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Travel & Tourism, I.C.T, Business Study and Art. Examinations take place in May/June and Oct/Nov. of Year 12. Students must obtain a minimum grade of 'C' in order to take the subject in Year 13.

Year 13: Advanced Level
Students in Year 13 take 3 A2 level subjects. Subjects currently offered are: English Language, English Literature, General Paper, Mathematics, Chinese, History, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Travel & Tourism, I.C.T, Business Study and Art. Examinations take place in May/June and Oct/Nov. of Year 13.

NBIS has offered Chinese learning programme since the school was established in 2005. The Chinese Language and Culture Programme, providing for native and non-native learners at all levels which runs from Early Years all the way through to Y13. Our curriculum ensures that students develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills essential to achieve the performance standards as required by or comparable to the IGCSE, A Level and HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi / Chinese Proficiency Test). The two pathways of Chinese curriculum: MNL (Mandarin as a Native Language) and MFL (Mandarin as a Foreign Language). Students in Early Years, Primary and Lower Secondary have five Chinese lessons every week, this allows them to make rapid progress and ready to start IGCSE courses in Year 10. Not only does NBIS provide Chinese language studies at various levels, but it also organises Chinese culture workshops, and traditional festival celebrations and events for the students. CHINESE CULTURE DAY is a grand festival and an excellent presentation of Chinese learning at NBIS, it is a big stage for NBIS students to present what they have achieved in Chinese class.

With the extensive and successful Chinese programme, we are very proud of our students’ exceptional results at IGCSE and AS/ A Level Chinese. From 2016, about 90% of our students who chose to learn Chinese got an A or A* in Cambridge IGCSE and AS/ A Level Chinese exams. Since 2019, the rate is 100%. We are delighted by another remarkable year of IGCSE and AS/ A Level Chinese results from our students, 100% of A* or A. One of the highlights is that several outstanding students won the IGCSE Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese "Top in the World" Award. Besides the formal learning and examinations, our students also have opportunities to participate in varied Chinese competitions, such as “Chinese Bridge” Competitions or Chinese Character Chess competition, which has demonstrated our students’ proficiency in Chinese language. We are very pleased and proud of our talented and outstanding students.