Dear pupil,
Dear parent,

This booklet is intended to help you in making the choice of subjects for years 6 and 7. You will find information about the subject choice process, the courses offered and a summary of regulations concerning the European Baccalaureate examinations.

Please read this booklet before the information evening on Tuesday, 16 January 2024. Detailed information regarding the organisation of the meeting will be communicated in due time.

The subject coordinators and relevant teachers have prepared the subject information sheets and every effort has been made to ensure that the details are correct. However, small changes may occur in programmes from one year to the next. Please check with the relevant subject teacher if you have any questions.

Together with this booklet you will receive the form for the choice of subjects, please return the form to your class teacher by Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

Mr ALCAZAR coordinates choices for years 6 and 7. You are very welcome to contact him if you have any questions: daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu

Martin WEDEL
Headmaster

Turn the mobile phone to landscape for a better view.

2024
During the week of Monday, January 8	Parents receive an email with the invitation to the information evening
Thursday, January 16 (17:30)	Information evening for parents
Tuesday, February 6	Deadline to return the form for the choice of subjects (Please note that the choice forms collected at this moment determine the number of students interested in the various subjects offered which is the basis for creating the course grid. Forms received after the deadline will not be considered when creating the grid.) Deadline to return the language change request form, which can be downloaded from the school website
March	When the first choice is not possible, pupils are requested to do a second choice using the course grid this time. (An information meeting will take place to explain the second choice process to pupils concerned)
mid-May	Language and Mathematics level tests (Detailed information on the date and organisation of the test will be communicated in due time)
Monday, September 2 to Sunday September 15	Window for requesting a change to the choice of subjects. No positive reply is guaranteed.
October	Confirmation of subjects choice
2025
Friday, June 20	Last date for requesting a change of subject going into year 7. No request is accepted unless the Class Council recommends it. Only limited changes are possible between S6 and S7, see chapter “Changes between year 6 and 7”.
September	Level tests for subject changes going into year 7

The pupil’s timetable must comprise between 31 (minimum) and 35 (maximum) periods per week. Only in exceptional cases may pupils be allowed to take more than 35 periods. Experience has shown that a 35-period week already represents a heavy working load.

There are three types of subjects: compulsory, optional and complementary. The pupil’s programme must have a minimum of 29 periods taking into account compulsory and optional subjects only.

Content of this chapter:

• • COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
  • OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
  • COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS
  • REQUESTING A LANGUAGE CHANGE
  • WHAT IF YOUR FIRST CHOICE DOES NOT WORK?
  • CHANGES TO THE INITIAL CHOICE OF SUBJECTS
  • CREATION OF COURSES
  • EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM 35 PERIODS

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS

Compulsory		Compulsory unless chosen as an option		Compulsory unless a science option is chosen
Language 1 (L1) Language 2 (L2) Ethics/Religion Physical education Mathematics	4p 3p 1p 2p 3 or 5p	History Geography Philosophy	2p 2p 2p	Biology	2p
(1p = 1 period = 45 minutes)

The 5-period Mathematics can be chosen by a pupil who has followed the 4 period course in year 5 only if all the following requirements are met: (a) on the recommendation of the teacher of Mathematics and (b) on condition that the pupil has been successful in a required level test, see Important dates.

Biology 2 periods is compulsory only for those pupils who do not choose a science from the optional subjects. It is not available for those pupils choosing Biology as an option, but is a possibility for those pupils who choose Chemistry and/or Physics.

Language 2 is normally English, French or German, but pupils may request a Language 2 other than English, French or German for secondary years 6 and 7. This may be accepted subject to the rules relating to a change of Language 2 and to the rules governing the creation of groups. The new Language 2 may be any official language of the European Union. The starting point of this new Language 2 will be B2 proficiency level. [1]

 

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

Biology Chemistry Physics Art Music Geography History Philosophy Language 3 (L3) Language 4 (L4) or ONL Economics Latin	4p	Advanced language 1 or Advanced language 2 or Advanced Mathematics	3p
(ONL = Other National Language)

When choosing subjects, pupils have to contact the relevant teachers to discuss their choice. A contact teacher is indicated at the end of each subject information sheet. When necessary, teachers might have to forward to the Coordinator their opinions about the possible option choices of their pupils.

The importance of options must be emphasised, not only for promotion prospects from 6^th to 7^th year but also for the written and oral examinations in the Baccalaureate, see below.

The Digest of Decisions states that “Pupils cannot continue to study a subject in the 6^th year if their results show that they have not been following it satisfactorily in the 4^th and 5^th years”. [2] The Management may consult the Class Council or the teacher(s) concerned regarding a particular choice. If the Management does not approve a choice, a new choice should take place. In most cases, the decision not to allow a pupil to follow a subject is taken during the end of the year Class Council. The decision is communicated by the Coordinator shortly after.

At the beginning of the 6^th year, pupils normally cannot choose an optional subject which they have not taken in the 4^th and 5^th years. However, this rule may be waived by the Director and the teachers concerned if pupils can proof that their background in the subject is sufficient for them to follow it successfully in years 6 and 7. Pupils will have to pass an assessment to proof that their level is sufficient. This assessment normally involves a formal test on materials covered in S4 and S5.

Advanced subjects involve, as their name suggests, a deeper study of the subject in question and should be chosen only by those pupils who show a clear interest and a particular aptitude for the subject.

Advanced Language 1 becomes obligatory in both the written and oral examinations of the Baccalaureate. Advanced Language 2 becomes obligatory in the written examinations of the Baccalaureate, see below.

The Advanced Mathematics course can be taken only by those pupils who take the 5-period Mathematics course. Advanced Mathematics cannot be taken as a written examination in the Baccalau­reate, but must be taken as the third oral examination if chosen.

From secondary year 4 onwards, History, Geography and Economics courses must be taught in Language 2 (English, French, German or the Host Country Language (HCL) if offered by the school) and may not be taught in Language 1.

If the 4-period option course in History and Geography cannot be organised in the pupil’s Language 2 (DE, EN, FR), the pupil may follow it in another Language 2 provided that this is not the pupil’s L1, with the Director’s permission. [3]

If Economics cannot be organised in the pupil’s Language 2 (DE, EN, FR), he/she may be authorised to take it in another Language 2 (DE, EN, FR) or in the language of the host country, provided that this is not his/her Language 1. Only if the pupil cannot take the Economics course in his/her Language 2 or in another Language 2 or in HCL which is not his/her Language 1, may the Director allow him/her, by way of an exception, to take it in his/her Language 1. [4]

If an option course normally offered in Language 1 (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics) cannot be organised in the student’s Language 1, the pupil may follow it in another language, if (s)he is able to demonstrate an adequate language proficiency. A candidate who has followed in a foreign language a course normally taught in his Language 1 (or language of the section for SWALS pupils) but not organised in this language in the School attended may use, upon request, a bilingual dictionary (Language 1 / Language of the section ↔ Language of the course) during the written examination of the Baccalaureate. The dictionary will be provided by the School. This applies also to short and long part Pre-Baccalaureate examinations, as well as to examinations in S6. [5]

L3 and L4 may be any official language of the European Union, within the regulations for the creation of courses and the school organisational possibilities.

Only category I and category II pupils are entitled to the teaching of ONL, which can take place from nursery up to S7. Category III pupils may join existing courses, but courses cannot run exclusively for category III pupils. [6]

The creation of ONL courses is subject to teacher availability. In principle, the school offers the following ONL courses:

• For pupils of Finnish origin, Swedish/ Finnish can be requested as Other National Language regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.
• For pupils of Irish origin, Irish as Other National Language can be requested regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.
• For pupils of Maltese origin, Maltese can be requested, regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.

 

COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS

Classical Studies Digital Art (Specialised Art Lab) Drama (Theatre Studies and Drama) Education for Sustainable Development History of Art ICT Introduction to Economics Laboratory (Biology or Chemistry or Physics) Language 5 (L5) Music Political science Sociology Sport Technical Drawing	2p

Complementary subjects must be taken by those pupils with less than 31 periods in total after choosing their Compulsory and Optional subjects. Otherwise, pupils are not obliged to take any Complementary subject.

Complementary courses are not involved in the written or oral examinations of the Baccalaureate.

Laboratory courses in Biology, Physics or Chemistry can only be taken by those pupils who have already chosen the corresponding science option. [7] Pupils may take only one of them.

Complementary courses are taught in one or more of the working languages, except L5. They may be taught to mixed group of pupils from different sections. If a course exists in a pupil’s working language, he/she must take it in that language unless organisational constraints make it impossible; except the Laboratory courses and Theatre Studies and Drama which are taken in the pupil’s L1 when possible.

In year 6, pupils can start learning a fifth language (L5) as a beginners’ course. These are the languages offered as L5: Chinese, Dutch, Italian, Luxemburgish, Modern Greek, Portuguese and Spanish.

Pupils who have chosen Economics as an option or who have followed Economics in years 4 and 5 cannot take Introduction to Economics.

For ICT a contribution of 25€ is charged per pupil, per year. This participation is intended to complement the computer rooms with equipment and software licenses.

 

REQUESTING A LANGUAGE CHANGE

The determination of L1 at the time of the pupil’s enrolment is, in principle, definitive. Requests to change Language 1 will be dealt with in accordance with the arrangements laid down in Article 47(e) of the General Rules. A change of Language 1 may only be authorised by the Director for compelling pedagogical reasons, duly established by the Class Council and on the initiative of one of its members.

The following changes are possible on entry to year 6: [8]

• change of L2. Pupils may request a L2 different from DE, EN, FR or HCL if offered by the school for secondary years 6 and 7. This may be accepted subject to the rules governing the creation of groups. The new L2 may be any official language of the EU.
• for a given language, change from a lower to a higher level (e.g. change from L4 to L3)
• for a given language, change from a higher to a lower level (e.g. from L2 to L3) in justified cases.

Should a change of language at any age or level be requested, the decision lies with the Director, subject to the following conditions:

• The existence of a reasoned written request from the parents, guardians or from the pupil himself/herself if over the age of 18.

• Deliberation and judgement by the Class Council on the request.

• Clear evidence established by the School of the pupil’s ability to follow the course requested. The School may require the pupil to pass a proficiency (written and oral) test at the required level.
• The absence of significant administrative obstacles to the change requested, such as the compliance with the rules for the creation of groups.

When a change of L2 is approved on entry to year 6, the old L2 remains the medium of teaching for History, Geography and Economics.

Except for a change of L1, when a change of language is desired, a special request form must be handed in together with the choice of subjects form. [9] For L1 changes, please contact the Coordinator (daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu).

 

WHAT IF YOUR FIRST CHOICE DOES NOT WORK?

The school will do its best to organise the courses chosen by the pupils. However, it may not be possible to offer all options and advanced courses in all sections, for financial and/or organisational reasons.

When a choice is not possible, the pupil will do a second choice based on the course grid. [10] Experience shows that approximately 20 % of all pupils must do a second choice.

When pupils need to do a second choice, the Coordinator will inform them of the problems affecting their first choice and at the same time give them the course grid and the second choice form.  An information session will take place for those pupils having to do a second choice, see Important dates.

 

CHANGES TO THE INITIAL CHOICE OF SUBJECTS

Pupils and parents are expected to make a carefully considered choice, having consulted teachers and careers advisers, [11] having informed themselves of the regulations as outlined in this booklet and consulted the subject information sheets.

If you are in doubt as to what subjects to choose please consult your form teacher, your career adviser, or maybe a guidance centre.

Your particular attention is drawn to the fact that the choices selected, when possible, are binding for years 6 and 7.

After the initial choice, no requests for changes will be accepted until the beginning of year 6. If at all possible, the school will try to accommodate requests for changes to the initial choice during the first two weeks in year 6 to allow for unforeseen year 5 results, see Important dates. [12] As from the third week of the school year, no more requests will be accepted until the end of the 6^th year, when the regulations permit a very limited number of changes.

 

CREATION OF COURSES

The creation of optional and complementary courses requires a minimum number of pupils. [13]

• Option courses are created with a minimum of 5 pupils.
• Complementary courses are created with a minimum of 7 pupils.

In creating courses, priority will always be given to optional courses over complementary courses.

Optional and complementary courses can be created only if the minimum number of qualified pupils have chosen it and then only within the possibilities of the school organisation. If the group does not have the minimum number of pupils at the start of the school year, there is no guarantee that the course will be created, and pupils might have to make a new choice.

The options taken in S4-S5 can be continued only if sufficient numbers of pupils choose them (with the exception of ONL). ONL groups shall be created even with fewer than five pupils in accordance with the ONL rules.

 

EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM 35 PERIODS

Even though the 6^th and 7^th year timetables are organised on the basis of a maximum of 35 periods per week, pupils can, with the approval of the Management, exceed this limit provided that the organisation of such timetable is possible.

A timetable of 35 periods already represents a heavy load, and the Management does not want to encourage pupils to choose more, except in very exceptional cases.

Requests to exceed the 35-period maximum must be addressed in writing, with a justification, please hand in the letter together with the choice form.

The requests will be considered during the summer holiday in the light of the written request, the academic profile of the pupil and technical timetable possibilities.

 

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[1] Arrangements for Implementing the Regulations for the European Baccalaureate (AIREB) (2015-05-D-12); The European School Curriculum: Structure and Organisation of studies and courses in the European Schools. (2019-04-D-13); Language policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35)

[2] Digest of Decisions of the Board of Governors of the European Schools (2014-02-D-14)

[3] Language policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35)

[4] Languages of tuition for Economics in the European Schools system – Clarifications (2020-12-LD-6)

[5] Language policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35). Organisational arrangements for written examinations leading to B marks in year 6 ( point I.3, 2019-05-D-38). Please see AIREB (2015-05-D-12 point 6.4.6.8) for further details.

[6] Language policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35)

[7] The European School Curriculum: Structure and Organisation of studies and courses in the European Schools. (2019-04-D-13)

[8] Language policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35)

[9] The language change request form is available on the school website: Secondary : Choice of subjects

[10] The course grid comprises all the courses that will run in years 6 and 7. The grid is created in such a way to give the maximum number of students their first choice; it determines which combinations of courses are possible and which not. Course grid and guidelines how to use it.

[11] Information on orientation and career advice is available on the school website: Secondary : Careers guidance

[12] Please contact the Coordinator in such case (daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu).

[13] The European School Curriculum: Structure and Organisation of studies and courses in the European Schools. (2019-04-D-13)

Starting a new option, advanced course or complementary subject in S7 is not allowed.

Changes of language level are not allowed in S7.

When entering S7, a course can be given up only if all the following conditions are fulfilled:

• The pupil’s timetable must still have at least 31 periods.
• There must still be at least two 4-period option courses.
• There must still be 29 periods considering compulsory and optional courses altogether.
• There must still be at least one science (2 or 4 periods Biology, Chemistry or Physics).
• The course does not fall under the minimum number of pupils required to be organised.

Between S6 and S7, only the following changes of level are possible:

• Mathematics 5 ↔ Mathematics 3
• 4-period option ↔ Compulsory 2-period course (same subject)
  These are the only subjects for which this transition from 2 to 4 or from 4 to 2 periods can be requested: Biology, Geography, History, and Philosophy.

A written request with an explanation of the requested drop of a course or change of level must be addressed to the Director of the school and handed in to the Coordinator.

No request will be accepted unless the Class Council recommends it. Any change needs to be approved by the Director of the school on recommendation of the Class Council.

A change to a more advanced course (5 periods Mathematics or 4 periods option) is conditional upon the passing of a level test demonstrating the pupil’s ability to keep up successfully with the requirements of the course requested. The level test will be organised at the start of year 7.

Please note that the requested change may be subject to the constraints of the course grid.

If you’re not sure about the prospects of a particular choice, we advise you to have a solid plan B. If you think that there is a real risk that your child will not progress adequately in a particular course, the ideal solution is to have a plan B that does not require compensation in order to drop the course between S6 and S7.

Some examples: if you foresee…

• a possible change from Mathematics 5 to Mathematics 3, take for instance 33 periods in total with a minimum of 31 periods of compulsory and optional courses, so that after switching to Mathematics 3, the student retains 31 periods in total and 29 periods of compulsory and optional courses.
• a possible drop of a 4 period optional subject, take for instance 35 periods in total with a minimum of 33 periods of compulsory and optional courses, with three 4-period optional courses (the minimum requirement is two). Please note that the programme must have at least one science course (the minimum is Biology 2).

Turn the mobile phone to landscape for a better view.

Total study programme: minimum 31 periods, maximum 35 periods
Columns 1+2+3+4: minimum 29 periods
Column 3: minimum 2 options, maximum 4 options

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS				OPTIONAL SUBJECTS				COMPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS
Column 1		Column 2		Column 3		Column 4		Column 5
Language 1 Language 2 Maths 3 or Maths 5 Ethics/Religion Physical Education	4p 3p 3p 5p 1p 2p	Biology Geography History Philosophy	2p	Biology Chemistry Physics Art Music Geography History Philosophy Language 3 Language 4 or ONL Economics Latin	4p	Advanced L1 or Advanced L2 or Advanced Mathematics	3p	Classical Studies Digital Art Drama Edu. for Sustainable Development History of Art ICT Introduction to Economics Laboratory (Biology or Chemistry or Physics) Language 5 Music Political science Sociology Sport Technical Drawing	2p
		2-period Biology compulsory unless Biology, Chemistry or Physics is chosen as 4-period option course. 2-period Geography, History and Philosophy compulsory if not chosen as 4-period option courses.		Minimum 2, maximum 4 options in column 3.		Advanced Mathematics only if 5-period Mathematics is chosen.		Complementary Music and Introduction to Economics courses cannot be chosen if the subject is chosen as 4-period option course. Laboratory course only if the corresponding 4-period science option course is chosen.

It is highly recommended to have a global view of the regulations governing the European Baccalaureate before doing the choice. [14] In particular, on those provisions regarding the calculation of the final mark and organisation of examinations. [15]

The final European Baccalaureate mark is calculated as follows:

• 50% for the average preliminary mark
• 35% for the average written examinations mark (7% per exam)
• 15% for the average oral examinations mark (5% per exam)

The 50% corresponding to the average preliminary mark is made up of the class marks (A marks, formative assessment) and part examination (pre-Baccalaureate) marks (B marks, summative assessment) as follows:

• 10% A1 marks (Semester 1)
• 10% A2 marks (Semester 2)
• 30% B marks

 

PART EXAMINATIONS (PRE-BACCALAUREATE)

Part examinations are organised as a set of short and a set of long written examinations.

 

Short written examinations

In Philosophy (2 periods) and in Advanced Mathematics: 1 harmonised short written examination is organised as part of the normal school week at the end of each semester. The time allowed is 2 consecutive teaching periods.

In Biology, History and Geography (all with 2 periods a week) either the same as above or 2 harmonised short written examinations lasting 1 teaching period are organised as part of the normal timetable in the course of each semester.

For complementary subjects, either 1 short examination of 1 period per semester or through other assessment methods prescribed in the syllabus of the subject.

 

Long written examinations

The set of harmonised long examinations is organised over a maximum of 10 working days at least 2 weeks after the Christmas holidays. All the subjects in which a written examination may be taken in the European Baccalaureate are examined, i.e.:

• Language 1
• Language 2
• Mathematics (3 and 5 periods)
• All options (4 periods)
• Language 1 Advanced
• Language 2 Advanced

Every pupil is examined in each of the subjects listed above which he/she is following. For Physical Education the following arrangements apply:

• The B mark shows the results of the assessment held at the end of each unit of instruction.
• Assessment will be purely practical, involving no written work of any kind.

 

WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS

Please note that S7 pupils can be asked for their choice of options for the written examinations already in October.

Candidates will sit 5 written examinations: [16]

1. Language 1 (L1 Advanced compulsory if taken)
2. Language 2 (L2 Advanced compulsory if taken)
3. Mathematics 3 or 5 periods
4. Option (4 periods)
5. Option (4 periods)

 

ORAL EXAMINATIONS

Candidates will take 3 oral examinations:

1. Language 1 (L1 Advanced compulsory if taken)
2. One choice possible between:
   • Language 2 (L2 Advanced if taken)
   • History (2 or 4 periods)
   • Geography (2 or 4 periods)
3. Advanced Mathematics, compulsory if taken, otherwise, choice possible between:
   • Philosophy (2 or 4 periods)
   • Language 3
   • Language 4
   • ONL
   • Biology (2 or 4 periods)
   • Chemistry
   • Physics

Constraint: Subjects which are taken as the 4th or 5th written examination cannot be taken as orals.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Pupils and parents will be informed in due time about the Regulations and the Arrangements for implementing the Regulations for the 2026 Baccalaureate.
• It is obligatory to check that with the combination of subjects chosen the pupil can take all the required Baccalaureate examinations taking into account the constraints indicated above. The following table allows you to plan the choices for the Baccalaureate exams and evaluate different scenarios. [17]

Written exams	Scenario A	Scenario B	Scenario C
1
2
3
4
5
Oral exams
1
2
3

 

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[14] Information on the European Baccalaureate on the school website: Secondary : European Baccalaureate

[15] The current detailed rules for calculation of the European Baccalaureate mark and organization of examinations can be found in the Arrangements for implementing the Regulations for the European Baccalaureate (2015-05-D-12). This may be subject to change before the 2026 Baccalaureate session.

[16] Additional written examination, see Article 13 in the Arrangements for implementing the Regulations for the European Baccalaureate (2015-05-D-12). This may be subject to change before the 2026 Baccalaureate session.

[17] The number of possible scenarios depends on the actual subject choice, could be more than three. In any case, you should at least be able to complete one scenario. If you have any doubt on this point, please contact the Coordinator (daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu).

1. Personal data
   The pupil’s data are indicated at the top of the form: name, class and class teacher. This part is not to be changed.
2. Courses in S5
   This part shows the pupil’s subjects in year 5. This part is not to be changed.
3. Choice of subjects
   This part should be filled in in the following way:
   • Check the boxes corresponding to the subjects chosen while respecting the rules explained in this booklet.
   • Mathematics: Write in the box 3p or 5p according to the Mathematics course chosen.
   • In case of requesting a change of Ethics/Religion course, indicate the new course in the corresponding box. Please specify the new course using the abbreviations below. If no change is requested, leave the box empty.

• • • RCA         Catholic Religion
    • RPR          Protestant Religion
    • ROR         Orthodox Religion
    • RJU          Jewish religion
    • MOR        Ethics
  • Calculate the total of periods for each column and check that the total corresponds to the minimum/maximum figures indicated:
    • at least 29 periods for the total of columns 1 to 4
    • between 31 and 35 periods overall (columns 1 to 5)
  • The form needs to be dated and signed by both the pupil and the parents.