March has been a significant month for Spark School and we’ve got big news: we are now officially a Cambridge Accredited hybrid high school. What does this mean for our students and teachers? We will go over the benefits and changes that are to come into place in this article.
What does it mean to be a Cambridge international high school?
Being “Cambridge accredited” means that the high school has met certain requirements set by the University of Cambridge, which is a top university in the United Kingdom.
It also means that the school has been officially recognized by Cambridge and has been granted permission to teach Cambridge International curriculum programmes such as Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, and Cambridge International AS and A Level.
Spark school has proven in the period since its inception that it makes a real difference in the lives of students. It has also demonstrated that it has all the resources and facilities it needs to be accepted as a Cambridge school. Because the school bases its curriculum on the four strands of Academics, Well-being, Leadership and Global Education, it also complies with teaching students not only the necessary subjects but also skills they can later use in real life.
What kind of changes are implemented when a high school becomes Cambridge accredited?
With becoming an internationally accredited school, there will also be some structural changes when it comes to the way of teaching and learning things. The major changes will happen in the following areas:
Curriculum: The school will need to follow the Cambridge curriculum, which focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning skills.
Assessment types: Students will be assessed using Cambridge exams, which are internationally recognized and highly respected.
Teacher training: Teachers will need to be trained in the Cambridge curriculum and teaching methods, and this may require professional development.
Resources: The school will need to invest in resources, such as textbooks and technology, to support the implementation of the Cambridge curriculum.
How does an institution become Cambridge accredited?
There are typically 4 steps involved in the process of becoming an international Cambridge School.
First, the school has to express an interest in becoming a Cambridge International high school. Second, the school needs to submit their application to get reviewed for becoming a Cambridge international school. The next step is for the institution to get a visit from a Cambridge representative – this usually happens in real life but if the school is an online or hybrid school, these visits can also be carried out online to verify all the information submitted in the application form.
The last step is for the committee to come up with a conclusion on whether or not the institution applying is fit to become Cambridge accredited or not.
How is Cambridge education better than traditional education?
While we cannot label Cambridge education as better than traditional education, for some students Cambridge education may be more advantageous for numerous reasons. For example:
- International recognition: Cambridge qualifications are recognized by universities and employers around the world, so students with Cambridge qualifications may have more opportunities to study or work abroad.
- Rigorous standards: Cambridge programmes are designed to be challenging, so students who complete them will have a deeper understanding of their subject areas and be better prepared for university-level studies.
- Flexibility: students can choose the subjects and levels that are most appropriate for their interests and abilities.
- Emphasis on critical thinking: Cambridge programmes place a strong emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Students who have an interest in the future of their education and career might care about these things when choosing an educational plan. While traditional schooling might be fit for some students, it can be very limiting to others who might be held back by the traditional curriculum and teaching methods.
With all this in mind, we are very proud and happy to be able to offer a different learning opportunity to gifted and talented students from all over the world. Thanks to our hybrid ecosystem, we can spread our wings and offer quality education to students from all over the world, no matter where they are from.
Help us spread the word and change the life of a gifted student – they are the adults we will be counting on tomorrow, so we should invest in them to raise students who can make our future better!