Welcome to the Upper Department

The Upper Department (UD) at BSK spans Years 9 to 11 and provides the gradual transition from Key Stage 3 through to the end of Key Stage 4. In Year 9, students are prepared for the rigours of GCSE, IGCSE and Kuwait Government examination programmes that commence in Year 10 and conclude in the Summer Term of Year 11.

The Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) programme focuses on areas of the curriculum from both an academic and applied perspective, developing individual skills and teamwork. PSHE is the focus for regular department assemblies, with students preparing material through drama, presentations and movies. Upper Department students are aware of the increasing expectation placed upon them to develop a global awareness of issues that affect us all and greater empathy for those living in other countries. With such a diverse population of students we have the perfect opportunity, through PSHE, to study these important issues from a variety of perspectives, both personal and as an advocate for others.

The extracurricular programmes in UD are linked to and support the curriculum. On offer are Debating, the International Award for Young People, Model United Nations, INJAZ, the Al-Watan Daily Journalism and Media Club, competitive sports and Creative Arts programmes – to name but a few.

We cannot emphasise enough the need for students in the Upper Department to take full advantage of the many extracurricular opportunities available at the school in order to support their university applications. Students should aim to become temporary prefects in the absence of Sixth Form prefects, and should be active members of the School Council and involve themselves in the many charitable events the school supports.

When a student leaves the Upper Department at the end of Year 11 they could not be better prepared for the next stage of their education, whether in the Sixth Form Department or elsewhere. All students should leave the Upper Department with the sense both of having been part of a very close community and able to consider themselves as global citizens.

Mr John Lambert
Upper Department Coordinator
Email: jhl@bsk.edu.kw