Academic System

Junior & Middle School

The curriculum of a school reflects its aims and ambitions. Bloomfield Hall has two major targets: at the academic level, it prepares students for GCE 'O' level; at a cultural level, it is a liberal institution which encourages independent thought and critical enquiry among its pupils. Given these aims, Bloomfield Hall has designed its own curriculum which gives different weightage to different subjects in terms of a) contact time b) student assessment and promotion criteria.
Thus, for example, English and Maths at this level are considered core subjects. They are allocated comparatively more periods per week and passing these two subjects is essential for promotion. Subjects offered in Classes 1 - 8 are given in the table below.

In Bloomfield Hall Schools (Junior, Middle and Upper) the following average ratios are maintained as per the School policy:
Student-Teacher Ratio = 18 students per teacher

O-Level Programme

All students in Bloomfield Hall schools are prepared for the GCE 'O' level examinations. After completing 'O' level, students either continue on to 'A' level or join the local scheme at Intermediate (FA/FSc) level.
Choice of Subjects
The right choice of subjects at 'O' level is very important. The following considerations are relevant:

• For education in universities in Pakistan or abroad, English and Mathematics at 'O' level are compulsory subjects.
• For admission to Pakistani colleges at intermediate level, 6 more subjects must be studied including Pakistan Studies, Urdu and Islamiat.
• To take science subjects after 'O' level, the same subjects must be studied at 'O' level.

Keeping the above in mind, Bloomfield Hall offers the following subjects:

Compulsory:
English, Mathematics

Options:
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Literature, Economics, Accounting, Commerce, Art & Design, Urdu, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, Additional/Pure Maths

Students are allowed to select a maximum of 9 subjects, including the compulsory ones.

A-Level Programme

GCE A level is an internationally recognized qualification that allows students to enter universities. In Pakistan, students with A level are admitted to BA/BSc at colleges and universities. The choice of A level subjects is important for those seeking admission to medical and engineering colleges. For medicine, A level in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics and for engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are important. For admission to courses in social sciences and humanities, rules regarding choice of subjects are not so strict. However a sensible choice of subjects at A level can be of great assistance at university later.

Subjects offered at A level in Bloomfield Hall :
Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Business studies, Economics Accounting, Urdu, English, Law, Sociology, General Paper, Art and Design

Synopsis
GCE ‘A’ level is an internationally recognised qualification which allows students to enter university education. Admission to the ‘A’ level course at BHS is granted to those who hold ‘O’ levels or equivalent qualifications.
Students are required to select a minimum of three and a maximum of four subjects at ‘A’ levels. Students wishing to join universities in Pakistan are advised to take four ‘A’ level subjects. Students wishing to pursue medicine or engineering should similarly select appropriate science subjects. Students also have the option to take the General Paper at the ‘AS’ level.

'A' Level in the UK :
To enter a university in the UK, the minimum requirement is five GCE passes, two of which must be at Advanced level. Students with more than the minimum qualifications have greater chances of admission. Considering this, students at BHS are required to take a minimum of three and a maximum of four ‘A’ level subjects.
The choice of ‘A’ level subjects is important for those seeking admission in medical and engineering courses for higher education.For medicine, ‘A’ levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics, and for Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are important. For admission in courses in social sciences and humanities, rules regarding choice of subjects are not so strict. However, a sensible choice of subjects at ‘A’ levels can assist academic performance at universities later.
The evaluation abroad of undergraduate degrees from Pakistan’s universities is however quite different. In the UK for example, BA/BSc/BCom gained from Pakistan are considered equivalent to ‘A’ levels. At BHS, candidates are allowed to take up science subjects only if they have passed the same subjects at ‘O’ level with good grades. ‘A’ levels in appropriate science subjects also entitle students to admission in medical and engineering universities.

Europe and the United States
‘A’ level is a recognised qualification worldwide. Universities in Europe and the US give appropriate credits to holders of ‘A’ level qualifications.
BHS prepares students for ‘A’ level examinations of the University of London and the University of Cambridge examining boards. Bloomfield Hall Lahore (of which BHS was initially a project) is recognised as a Registered Participating Institution for the International GCE Examinations in accordance with the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council. BHS is also a recognised centre for the Cambridge International Examinations Board.

Commencement / Duration
The course is conducted over a period of two years. The first and second years are called the Lower VI and the Upper VI respectively. Each year commences in August/September and is divided into three terms, September to December, January to March, and April to June.

Assesment Procedure
The Credit System:
Student progress in each subject is evaluated on the basis of credit points accumulated for attendance, assignments, subjective evaluation, and the December and June examination results. The maximum 1000 credit points are awarded as follows:

• 100 possible credits for attendance, 1 for each percentage point of lectures attended.
• 100 possible credits for assignments. Students will write 10 assignments, and an A grade in each earns 10 credit points.
• 200 possible credits for subjective evaluation, awarded for grades in seminars, workshops, and class participation.
• 200 credit points for the December Examinations, two credits per percentage mark obtained.
• 400 credit points for the June Examinations, 4 credits per percentage mark obtained.

Promotion to Upper VI
Students normally study 3/4 subjects at the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level. They must pass all subjects in order to be promoted to the next year. However, those BHS students whose ‘As' admission was sent as ‘PRIVATE STUDENT’ must aecure at least ‘C’ grade in all subjects in order to continue in A-2 at the BHS

• Four subjects passed - promoted and allowed to continue with all four subjects
• Three subjects passed - promoted, but only if the failed subject is dropped in Upper VI.
• Two subjects passed - promotion will be on the College’s discretion
• Less than two subjects passed - not promoted.

Graduate Programme

The Graduate Programme is offered at University College Lahore (UCL), an associate institution of Bloomfield Hall.

Courses Offered :
UCL offers degree courses of the University of London for external students in the following disciplines:
Economics, Management, Accounting & Finance, Law, Information Systems
All degrees are awarded by the University of London. They are all Honours degrees and are of 3 years' duration.
The law degree is the LLB (Hons) degree of the University of London.

Diploma in Economics
For students who are 18 and above, and who do not have 'A' level or equivalent, the Diploma course provides an entry into the degree course. After successful completion of the one year Diploma, students join the 2nd year of the degree programme.
The Diploma course may only be taught by institutions which are fully recognised by the University of London to conduct the course. UCL is fully recognised by the University of London to conduct it.

Secondary and Higher Secondary

The English Medium Matriculation stream is followed in the Country schools and the schools Bloomfield Hall manages in various companies. The curriculum up to Class 7 is set by Bloomfield Hall. After Class 7, students follow the curriculum set by the relevant Matriculation Board. The standards of education in the matriculation stream are ensured by the following measures

• regular monitoring by Bloomfield Hall
• the medium of instruction is strictly English
• average strength of class is no more than 25 students
• remedial classes are provided to weaker students
• well equipped science and computer labs are set up