BASM Primes Students for the Future With English Curriculum

British Academy School Marrakech (BASM), located in Morocco’s vibrant red city, stands as the only British school in the region. Its primary aim is to equip students with the tools for long-term success, particularly after university, by adopting an English national curriculum from the foundation stage to the sixth form.

At BASM, enhancing students’ English communicative skills is of paramount importance. To achieve this, the school employs the “Direct Way” language teaching method, wherein each subject is taught in English, the target language students are required to learn.

The overarching goal of BASM is to provide the highest standard of education, enabling children to acquire the skills, knowledge, and concepts that will shape their future. The teaching staff at BASM employ a range of techniques to engage students in diverse learning perspectives.

Deputy Head of the school, Natasha Compton, highlights the school’s commitment to student success through the employment of qualified and well-rounded English-speaking teachers, the inclusion of enriching extracurricular activities, and the participation of expert visitors to the school.

BASM’s curriculum is divided into three major stages: the Early Year Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and 2, Key Stage 3, and Key Stage 4. The Early Year Foundation Stage caters to preschool children aged 3 to 5. Key Stage 1 covers the first two years of primary education for children aged 5 to 11, while Key Stage 2 encompasses the remaining primary education years.

Secondary education begins with Key Stage 3, which spans two years, followed by Key Stage 4, which represents the final years of secondary education.

To ensure students are ready to progress to the next key stage based on the British curriculum, teachers at BASM employ various teaching approaches such as critical thinking, hands-on activities, group work, and child-led learning, depending on the subject being taught.

Tony Manning, a teacher at BASM, emphasises the school’s responsibility to prepare students for success beyond university by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge.

The school’s curriculum includes the ECA program, which enables students to apply their learning through practical experiments and research. Ina Sekkouri, a science teacher at BASM, notes that students thoroughly enjoy the hands-on experiments offered by the program.

The positive impact of BASM’s educational approach is evident in the testimonials of parents. One family member praises the school’s contribution to their sister’s language skills, remarking on her significant improvement and fluency within a short period.

A French mother affirms that BASM’s English curriculum and English-speaking teachers greatly benefit her children’s education. The pedagogical emphasis on group work fosters a comfortable environment where students collaborate and support one another.

Morocco has witnessed a growing interest in the English language, particularly among its youth. Consequently, the country has implemented programs to capitalise on this trend and promote English education. Recognizing this, the British government has collaborated on new initiatives to facilitate the expansion of English language education in Morocco.

Building upon this momentum, Coventry University recently established the first British university campus in Bouskoura, near Casablanca, Morocco. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the British Ambassador to the UK, Simon Martin, Nouaceur Governor Abdallah Chater, and Coventry University Vice-Chancellor John Latham. The university plans to open two additional campuses in Morocco in the future.

British Academy School Marrakech, with its dedication to an English national curriculum and innovative teaching methods, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of Morocco. By nurturing students’ language skills and providing a comprehensive education, BASM empowers its students to thrive and succeed in their future endeavours.