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Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme

Overview

The Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme is a framework for educational success for students approximately 11-14 years old.

It builds on the primary stage, and develops children’s knowledge and skills in Mathematics, English and Science.

Lower Secondary also offers schools a means of tracking student progress through the lower secondary phase, with an integrated package of teaching, learning and assessment materials.

At the end of Lower Secondary, students can sit Cambridge Checkpoint tests which provide detailed feedback on students’ strengths and weaknesses before they move into the 14-16/IGCSE/O Level stage.

Benefits

Developing successful students

Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme is a framework for educational success for students approximately 11–14 years old.

International benchmark

Lower Secondary offers an external, international benchmark of student achievement. This allows schools to measure standards over time and give detailed, structured reports to parents.

Cambridge Checkpoint tests are standardised, set and marked by CIE, so provide an international benchmark of student achievement enabling teachers to advise students and parents of the suitability of different progression routes.

Monitoring student progress

The progression tests and analysis software provide detailed feedback on students’ strengths and weaknesses in the core skills of English, Mathematics and Science at the end of each stage. Schools can use this feedback to improve teaching, support learning and report student progress to parents.

Flexible programme, flexible assessment

Schools can use Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme with other curricula. No part of it is compulsory, so teachers can use the materials to suit their own situation. Teachers can use the Progression tests at the end of the year; or at any point during the year and as many times as they require.

Teachers can continue to follow a local curriculum, to meet the statutory requirements of their national system – and at the same time, use the Lower Secondary Progression Tests and Analysis Tool to enhance their teaching and reporting.

Links to other stages

The Lower Secondary Programme has been developed to link seamlessly with the Cambridge International Primary Programme and provides standardised tests to allow careful monitoring of progress from primary to lower secondary phases. It also provides excellent preparation for students embarking on IGCSE or O Level courses.

At the end of the programme, the Cambridge Checkpoint tests are available to provide detailed feedback on students’ strengths and weaknesses. These tests are standardised, set and marked by CIE so provide an international benchmark of student achievement enabling teachers to advise students and parents of the suitability of different progression routes.

CIE Provision for schools

The Lower Secondary Programme forms part of the Cambridge International Curriculum offering routes candidates can follow from post-kindergarten stage through to university entrance. Cambridge’s provision also includes first-class support for teachers through publications, online resources, training, workshops and professional development.

Primary (4 – 11 years) Cambridge International Primary Programme
Cambridge ICT Starters ( 5 – 15 years)
Lower Secondary (11 – 14 years) Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme
Cambridge Checkpoint
Cambridge ICT Starters
Middle Secondary (14 – 16) Cambridge IGCSE/O Level
Cambridge International Diplomas
Upper Secondary (16 – 18) A and AS Levels/AICE
Cambridge International Diplomas
Cambridge Pre–U