Curriculum
GOS follows the National Curriculum for England (NCfE) because it offers a broad, balanced curriculum. The National Curriculum was introduced in England in the 1990s and has a strong global reputation. As well as traditional subjects, the NCfE also promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development through Personal Social Health Economic Education, which at GOS is a bespoke subject tailored to the needs of our students and delivered weekly.
One of the core benefits of the National Curriculum is that it provides a framework for students to gain the knowledge that will support them on their journey to becoming globally educated citizens. The National Curriculum is inclusive, and where necessary, learning support is provided to students in the required subjects.
Mathematics literacy is extremely important in China, given the social and economic development. Consequently, GOS Secondary teaches the Chinese Mathematics curriculum to enable our students to gain exemplary mathematical literacy so they can solve complex problems and are well prepared for their senior education.
Chinese class includes language, literature, and culture. These topics are essential for students to understand Chinese culture and history; build strong foundations for cognitive development, improve communication skills, and self-confidence.
Secondary students who are new to Chinese language study Maths in English. In both Primary and Secondary, students who are new to the Chinese language follow Chinese as an Additional Language.
The Primary School at GOS provides a broad, balanced, and rigorous curriculum that inspires curiosity, builds strong academic foundations, and nurtures the whole child. Grounded in the National Curriculum for England and enriched by Chinese language, culture, and local context, our curriculum gives students access to a recognised international education while helping them develop the confidence and cultural understanding to thrive in Shenzhen and beyond.
Our curriculum covers core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Chinese, and Topic (science, humanities, geography), alongside computing, art, music, dance, physical education, and personal, social, and emotional learning. We believe that a strong primary education should be rich, connected, and meaningful. Students are therefore given opportunities to explore important ideas, make links across subjects, and understand how their learning connects to the world around them.
Learning is carefully sequenced from year to year so that students build knowledge and skills over time. Teachers plan with clear learning outcomes, high expectations, and appropriate challenge, ensuring that every child is supported to make progress. Through engaging lessons, inquiry, discussion, practical tasks, collaboration, and reflection, students develop the confidence to think critically, communicate clearly, and apply their learning in new situations.
At GOS, we recognise that children flourish when academic learning is supported by strong pastoral care and a clear sense of purpose. Our curriculum reflects our commitment to global citizenship and Triple Well-Being, encouraging students to care for themselves, care for others, and care for the planet. These values are embedded across school life and help students grow as thoughtful, responsible, and compassionate young people.
Assessment plays an important role in supporting progress. Teachers use assessment to understand each child’s strengths, identify next steps, and provide meaningful feedback. This ensures that learning remains responsive, purposeful, and appropriately challenging for all students.
Through this approach, our Primary curriculum prepares students for a successful transition into Secondary School and for the opportunities and challenges of an ever-changing world. We aim to educate, nurture, and inspire excellence, helping every child become a confident, capable, and internationally minded learner.
Secondary Curriculum
At Green Oasis School, we are proud of the breadth and balance of our curriculum, drawing on the best aspects of British and Chinese education, in order to prepare our students for success in high school no matter where they go on to study.
Most of our subjects follow a modified version of the English National Curriculum (NC), which has a strong global reputation for academic rigour, and serves to prepare students for IGCSE studies. However, the NC is also an excellent stepping-stone for any other international curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), and American AP programmes.
Although we are an international school, we are rooted in Shenzhen and in China, and we are equally proud of our Chinese language, literature, and Maths curricula. These subjects are essential for all middle school students to gain confidence in literacy and fundamental mathematical skills. For some students unable to pursue first-language Chinese or Chinese Maths, we also offer Chinese as an Additional Language, and English NC Maths.
Balance is more important than ever in the teenage years, and so our Physical Education, Dance, Drama, and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education) courses are every bit as important to success as the traditional Core subjects. PSHE in particular covers essential concepts relevant to our students that they may not be exposed to elsewhere, and follows a carefully crafted and bespoke curriculum.
If you wish to know more about a particular course, please contact the school via the Student Affairs office.
Green Oasis School is a proud supporter of the International Task Force for Child Protection (ITFCP) new standards for child protection. The expectations of GOS are based on the following principles: • All children have equal rights to be protected from harm and abuse. • Everybody has a responsibility to support the protection of children. • All actions on child protection are taken in the best interests of the child.
