Parents looking at international schools in Jakarta will encounter several curriculum models. The most common are the American system, the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Australian curriculum, and the English National Curriculum. Each has strengths. This article explains the English National Curriculum and why it is the framework ISJ has chosen to follow.
What It Is
The English National Curriculum is a set of subjects and standards organised into Key Stages. It was introduced in 1988 and has been revised several times since. It sets out what children should be taught in each subject at each stage, and what level of attainment is expected.
The stages are:
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for ages 2 to 5. Seven areas of learning, with a balance of play and structured teaching. A fuller explanation is in the EYFS explained article.
- Key Stage 1 for ages 5 to 7 (Years 1 and 2). Formal reading, writing, and mathematics begin.
- Key Stage 2 for ages 7 to 11 (Years 3 to 6). The curriculum broadens. Children study English, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, music, computing, design technology, PE, and a modern foreign language.
- Key Stage 3 for ages 11 to 14 (Years 7 to 9). Subject specialists teach. The curriculum maintains breadth before students begin to specialise.
- Key Stage 4 for ages 14 to 16 (Years 10 and 11). GCSE courses. Students take a core of English, mathematics, and science, plus options from the humanities, languages, and creative arts.
- Key Stage 5 for ages 16 to 18 (Years 12 and 13). A-Levels. Students typically choose three or four subjects and study them in depth. See the GCSEs and A-Levels guide for what this means in practice.
Why It Works for International Families
The English National Curriculum is used by British schools in over 80 countries. A child following it in Jakarta can transfer to a British school in London, Singapore, Dubai, or Hong Kong and pick up exactly where they left off. The stages, subjects, and expectations are the same.
GCSEs and A-Levels are recognised by universities worldwide. A-Levels in particular are considered the gold standard for entry to UK universities and are accepted by institutions in the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
For families who move frequently, this consistency matters. For families who plan to stay in Jakarta, it provides a clear, well-understood pathway from early childhood through to university entry.
How ISJ Implements It
ISJ follows the English National Curriculum from EYFS through to A-Levels. The school treats it as a framework rather than a script. The structure and academic standards are non-negotiable. But teachers have the freedom to adapt their approach to the children in front of them. An overview of how it is structured at ISJ is on the Curriculum page.
Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesian history, and local culture are part of the programme at every stage. This grounds the education in Jakarta while maintaining the rigour and international portability of the British system.
Every teacher at ISJ holds UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The school is part of The Schools Trust, a UK-registered charity whose schools have achieved "Excellent" in all categories of ISI inspections.
How It Compares
The IB Diploma, used by some international schools in Jakarta, is a broad post-16 programme with six subject groups, an extended essay, and a theory of knowledge course. It is well regarded but structured very differently from A-Levels, which allow deeper specialisation in fewer subjects.
The American system uses a credit-based high school model with SATs or ACTs for college admission. It is flexible but does not offer the stage-by-stage national benchmarking that the English system provides.
Neither system is objectively better. The right choice depends on the family. For parents who value clear progression, international transferability, and qualifications recognised by the most selective universities, the English National Curriculum is a strong option.