International school in Alicante, Spain

Xabia International College, Alicante:
Based in Javea, Alicante on the Costa Blanca, Xabia International College provides an International Primary and Secondary School education based upon the English National Curriculum, ranging from nursery at 3 years of age, through to GCSE at 16 and to 'A' level at 18+. The current total of approx. 300 students is made up of children of some twenty nationalities.

Nursery, Primary School, Secondary School (GCSE, IGCSE A2 and AS Levels)

Infants
Foundation Stage (from age 3 to 5)

From the age of 3, all children are immersed in a bilingual environment, stimulating the early acquisition of both Spanish and English. Our aim is to provide a varied curriculum with different learning experiences which include free and structured play. The foundation curriculum is the basis for all future learning, supporting and developing children in the following six curriculum areas:

- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Mathematical development
- Physical development
- Creative development

Key Stage 1 (from age 5 to 7)
Our children embark on the next stage of their education when they begin to study the English National Curriculum. A more formal approach to education is gradually introduced alongside continued learning through play and exploration. At this stage children also begin to study Spanish language and culture.

Juniors
Key Stage 2 (from age 7 to 11)

During the next stage of education, children develop their skills in a more academic setting. They continue to follow the English National Curriculum as well as a full Spanish programme. As in Foundation and Key Stage 1 we focus strongly on language acquisition skills. Children are encouraged to use their computer skills across the curriculum. Creativity is encouraged and nurtured through music, drama and art. Our on-site facilities are used to teach a full range of sports activities. A variety of extra-curricular activities including music, sport and language lessons are offered to all pupils from the age of seven.

As an international college, we are committed to the teaching of modern languages throughout a child’s education. Children have the opportunity to achieve fluency in at least two and often three languages by the end of their primary education. As English is the language of instruction in the College, emphasis is placed on the teaching of English as an Additional Language (EAL) where necessary.

The Secondary Curriculum
In Secondary emphasis is placed on increasing the skills, knowledge and ability in Mathematics, the Sciences and languages. English, Spanish and German or French are studied by all students.

In years 7 to 9 students follow a broad based curriculum similar to the primary years but are taught entirely by specialist subject teachers.

Year 10 and 11 students follow a two-year course, which leads to the International General Certificate of Second Education (IGCSE) examinations in nine or more subjects. These exams can be fully convalidated with the Spanish certificate of completion of secondary education (graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria). All students study English or English as a Second Language, Mathematics, Spanish and Co-ordinated Science. Optional subjects include Art, Business Studies, Drama, English Literature, French, German as a first language, German as a second language, Geography, History and I.C.T. Only certain combinations of these optional subjects are possible within our busy timetable.

6th Form
Years 12 and 13 form a two-year course that follows naturally from IGCSE examinations and leads to the externally marked Advanced (A) level examinations. In the first year of study students follow the Advanced Subsidiary Course, AS Levels, which is broken down into three modules/assessment units. These are tested at the end of each unit or of each academic year. In the second year students study A2 level courses, equivalent to a full A Level. These qualifications are valid for entry into any university in the European community, including Spain.

Students would normally expect to study four AS Levels in the first year and three A2 Levels in the second. Students can choose from a range of subjects at A Level including: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics, Computing, English Literature, French, German, Spanish, Geography and History.

It is possible to combine the study of A Levels with IGCSE. The number of subjects studied will depend on the student’s current qualifications and the demands of their future career or university course.

The College is an authorised centre for the Cambridge International Examination Board and Edexcel (London) Examination Board.

Access to Spanish University
Recent changes in regulations by the Spanish authorities entitle our students to direct access to Spanish universities with A Level grades. This is something which was previously only possible by sitting the "Selectividad" examinations, the common entry examination for Spanish universities.

The new system provides for direct access, requiring a minimum of 140 UCAS points in 2 A Level subjects and 5 GCSEs with a minimum grade C. It is true that the demands of certain courses will be higher than this, just as is the case within the UK. The positive issue for our students is that they can access universities in Spain without sitting any other exams except for the A Level and GCSE programme we offer. Students will be able to use their UCAS points to obtain an equivalent "nota de corte" in the Spanish system, allowing them direct access to Spanish universities.

It is vitally important that all our students and parents are aware of this situation, particularly our Spanish parents. This allows parents to have a clearer picture of opportunities available to students at XIC and should make education planning easier for parents. This is particularly important at primary/secondary transfer, where doubts and indecision may have arisen in the past.