Secondary School
A broad curriculum
CurriculumCambridge International Curriculum
Secondary School
Online Secondary School.
Years 7 to 9 are where students build the foundations, habits and confidence to start IGCSE ready. IWS Secondary School is for ages 11 to 14, in Key Stage 3.
- Ages 11 to 14 · Key Stage 3
- Five subjects
- Cambridge International Curriculum
What Key Stage 3 is for.
It’s where students build the foundations for IGCSE, and the habits that make the work possible.
What a week looks like
In Academy a student has fifteen live lessons a week: three in each of five subjects.
Three live lessons
Live lessons sit in the first blocks of the day. Each subject has three live lessons a week, so five subjects make fifteen.
One-to-one time, or an opportunity
The fourth block holds one of three things: one-to-one time with a teacher, an opportunity such as a club, an event or a project, or the Well-Rounded Programme, which is twenty minutes with their Mentor.
Independent study
Their own work, set and marked by their subject teachers.
Three ways to learn at IWS.
The subjects are the same in all three. You choose how the lessons are given.
The complete IWS school experience
Academy
Every lesson is live.
In each subject, every week
- Live
- Live
- Live
Best for families who want IWS to be their child’s school.
Bridge
One live lesson, two recorded.
In each subject, every week
- Live
- Recorded
- Recorded
Best for students who also go to another school, or have a busy schedule.
Foundation
Every lesson is recorded.
In each subject, every week
- Recorded
- Recorded
- Recorded
Best for students who need to choose their own time and pace.
The subjects and the curriculum are the same in all three. What changes is how the lessons are given. In Secondary, Academy is fifteen live lessons a week: three in each of five subjects.
The route to IGCSE.
Key Stage 3 builds the knowledge and study skills your child needs to start IGCSE with confidence.
Subject choices begin as students move toward IGCSE.
- Year 7
- Year 8
- Year 9
- Year 10
- Year 11
IGCSE
CurriculumCambridge International Curriculum, including Cambridge IGCSE pathways
See the IGCSE programmeAt this age, friendship and belonging matter as much as grades.
Houses, clubs and friends
Every student is placed in one of four Houses after taking the House Quiz, so the fit is theirs.
North
Integrity & Vision
East
Innovation & Discovery
South
Empathy & Community
West
Resilience & Action
Each House takes on one challenge a term.
Students lead six of our seven clubs, and a teacher runs the seventh. They meet online at 3pm UK time, from Tuesday to Friday, and any IWS student can join.
Through Houses, clubs and live lessons, students build friendships with classmates from around the world.
Hear it from a parent.
A family’s story, told by Taylah R., the parent of a Year 7 student.
Applies to Academy
Every Academy student meets their Mentor, one of their own teachers, for twenty minutes one-to-one every week of term. In Years 7 to 9 they name their own goal, in their own words, and rate themselves at the start of the year and again each term.
The Well-Rounded ProgrammeUnsure where your child stands?
A short assessment helps us understand your child’s level and needs. It’s not a pass-or-fail entrance exam.
- Where they are academicallyWhether your child is ready to accelerate, or needs the foundations strengthened first.
- How they learn bestWhether they thrive on independent research or on live interaction.
- Any hidden gapsThe missing pieces we can spot before they become roadblocks.
Questions parents ask.
Will my child be ready for IGCSE?
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to build the knowledge and study skills your child needs to start IGCSE with confidence.
Which curriculum does Secondary follow?
IWS follows the Cambridge International Curriculum in Secondary School, and continues with it into IGCSE.
Can my child join part-way through the year?
IWS accepts students during the year as well as at the start of it. The 2026/27 academic year began on 14 September 2026. Our teachers will help your child settle in quickly.
How are students supported?
Every IWS student receives mentoring that fits their learning model. Parents receive regular progress updates. In Academy, the Mentor is one of your child’s own subject teachers, and they meet for twenty minutes one-to-one every week of term.
Do students choose their own subjects?
At Key Stage 3 students follow a broad curriculum. Subject choices begin as they move toward IGCSE.
How much live teaching is there?
It depends on the learning model. Academy has three live lessons in each subject every week, Bridge has one live lesson in each subject, and Foundation is recorded teaching at the student’s own time and pace.
Will my child make friends?
Through Houses, clubs and live lessons, students build friendships with classmates from around the world.
Let’s talk about the next step.
Book a consultation and we’ll help you plan the right route through Secondary School and beyond.