A Special place
The place in which the most important people in your lives are going to spend a large part of their own lives in should definitely be a special place.
It is special to grow up in a place that looks like a small town, where you can open a gate and be in the forest and belong to a community where we all know each other. Where we learn, we have respect, we have fun and we get prepared to be happy.
It is special to know that someone is concerned about them, both for what they are and what they will become, because everyone is good at something. It is only a matter of working out what that is and then having the resources and ability to ensure it will happen.
It is special to have a state-of-the-art laboratory, to research and discover a vertical garden, to use interactive white boards.
It is also special to live speaking in English, learning Spanish, Catalan, German and French in an international environment, making friends from around the world. A global vision encapsulated in a family-like environment.
Ratings and reviews
Assessment is carried out, not only to inform students and their teachers of how much and how well they have learned, but also to plan for future learning.
In the Primary Department, class teachers and subject specialists within the department carry out informed classroom observations and effective questioning to monitor what children can do and what they need to do next. Throughout the year work is carefully monitored against the National Curriculum objectives to determine where to pitch the teaching of specific aspects of the subject and to assess the progress children are making during lessons.
Assessment in the Early Years takes the form of an informal set of observations at various stages in the first two years; this is known as “Baseline Assessment”. In Key Stages 1 and 2 assessments take place regularly throughout each year. More formal tests take place in May to assess children’s reading ages (Y1-6) and levels in English and Mathematics (Y3-6). In Year 6 children are assessed in November and May in the core subjects of Literacy and Numeracy as well as in Science and topic work. These assessments are based on the National Curriculum SATs (Standard Assessment Tests).
In the Secondary Department, students’ work is assessed on a daily basis, through teacher observations and effective questioning in the classroom. Work carried out both in school and at home is corrected, marks are awarded and feedback is given. Frequent tests are set, usually at the end on a unit of work. All marks are recorded on an ongoing basis so that students may check on their progress and improvement. Throughout the year students are encouraged by both subject teachers and tutors to set themselves targets and then work hard to achieve these. At the end of each academic year, students take an examination in each subject.
External examinations
External examinations are taken by students in Years 9 to 13.
- At the end of Year 9, Cambridge International Checkpoint examinations in English, Maths and Science.
- At the end of Year 10, GCSE English language and Maths at core level.
- At the end of Year 11, these same subjects at extended level, together with remaining subjects.
- At the end of Year 12, GCE “AS” modules in selected subjects.
- At the end of Year 13, GCE “A” levels in selected subjects.
External examination results
Entry to university or the workplace depends on various factors, the most important of which is examination results.
At school we are proud of our results’ record which have been improving year after year, enabling our students to take up places at some of the most prestigious universities worldwide. Please see "University Placements".
GCSE / IGCSE
Last academic year we were delighted to obtain the following results at this level:
| Year 11 |
|---|
| Pass rate | 92% |
| A* | 36% |
| A* & A | 65% |
| A* - B | 83% |
Pass grades: “A” to “C”
Fail grades: “D” to “G”
GCE
Last academic year we were delighted to obtain the following results at this level:
| Year 12 | Year 13 |
|---|
| Pass rate | 94% | Pass rate | 100% |
| A | 35% | A / A* | 49% |
| A / B | 54% | A* / A / B | 79% |
| A - C | 69% | A* - C | 87% |
| | | Selectividad average | 8.6 |
| | | UCAS average | 179 |
SELECTIVIDAD
In order to gain access to Spanish universities, students are required to take a specific Spanish examination (Selectividad). In the case of British schools in Spain, students may gain direct access to Spanish universities via GCE “A” level examinations. A mark equivalent to that of “Selectividad” is calculated based on GCE “A” level results.
This last year our average mark at “Selectividad” was 8.6 (Range of marks awarded 0 – 10. Pass mark 5)
Sisu Award
The Queen’s College Sisu Award is presented annually to Year 13 students, in recognition of effort and perseverance. The award is based on specific results-based criteria. There is no limit to the number of awards available each year which means that all students who achieve the established objectives are rewarded.
The award, apart from public recognition of qualities such as sustained effort and achievement consists of a monetary prize: the refund of 50% of the final year’s annual school fee (see below: Sisu Award Criteria).
The origin of the award’s name: ‘Sisu’ is a Finnish term which, when loosely translated into English, means ‘strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity’. Sisu does not imply momentary courage, but the ability to sustain an action against all odds.
We believe that the concept of SISU is particularly appropriate to the spirit and philosophy of Queen’s College. It is also a perfect example of how each culture and language is unique. The diversity which stems from the coming together of different cultures and languages is responsible for the richness of the international school experience.
Presentation video (2011)
Sisu Award Criteria
This award is presented to students who achieve the equivalent of 4 “A” grades at GCE “A” level and who have demonstrated the academic and personal qualities which make them excellent role models for younger students.
The award comes with a percentage refund of Year 13 fees as specified below.
- 10% refund of fees (based on annual fee) for one year’s attendance at school.
- 20% refund of fees (based on annual fee) for two year’s attendance at school.
- 30% refund of fees (based on annual fee) for three year’s attendance at school.
- 40% refund of fees (based on annual fee) for four year’s attendance at school.
- 50% refund of fees (based on annual fee) for students who have attended the school for a minimum of 5 years.
