Middle School

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AQA HIGHLIGHTS

A Strong Foundation
Middle School in Antwerp - Three Years That Shape Everything That Follows.

The middle school years - Grades 6 to 8, ages 11 to 14 - are among the most formative in any student's academic life. Habits of study are established. Subjects begin to deepen. The gap between students who are genuinely prepared and those who are not starts to open up.
At Owl Academy International School, our Middle School programme is designed to close that gap before it appears. Through the structured framework of the British curriculum, students in Grades 6 to 8 receive daily timetabled lessons from subject specialist teachers, personalised academic guidance, and access to a rich range of learning resources - all within a school environment where every student is genuinely known and supported.
Whether your child is a confident academic ready to be stretched further, or a student who needs the right environment to rediscover their potential, Owl Academy's Middle School is built to bring out the best in both.

OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL SUBJECTS
What Your Child Will Study - Grade by Grade.

Our Middle School curriculum follows the British framework, expanding in depth and breadth as students move through Grades 6, 7, and 8. Every grade builds deliberately on the one before - so that by the time students enter the IGCSE years, they are academically prepared, intellectually confident, and ready for the choices ahead.

Grade 6 | Age 11–12

Art, Geography, History, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Literacy - including Phonics, Numeracy, Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE), Science.
Grade 6 marks the transition from primary to secondary learning. Students consolidate their core literacy and numeracy skills while being introduced to a broader subject range. ICT, Geography, History, and Science lay the groundwork for the specialist pathways that open up in Grades 7 and 8. PSHE provides structured support for the personal and social development that is equally important during these years.

Grade 7 | Age 12–13

Art, Computing, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE), Science. In Grade 7, English and Mathematics step forward as fully distinct disciplines, with greater academic rigour and expectation. Students move from foundational ICT skills into the more demanding territory of Computing - covering programming languages, digital systems, and structured computational reasoning. Modern Foreign Languages - introduced formally at this stage - build communication skills and cultural awareness. Science in Grade 7 continues to cover biological, chemical, and physical concepts as a unified discipline - laying the groundwork for the subject-level separation that students encounter in Grade 8.

Grade 8 | Age 13–14

Art, Computer Science, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE), Science - divided into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Grade 8 is where the curriculum reaches its full secondary depth. Science is formally separated into three distinct disciplines - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics - giving students the subject-specific grounding that IGCSE-level science demands. Computer Science deepens the computational knowledge built in Grade 7. By the end of Grade 8, students are academically and intellectually equipped to make confident, well-informed decisions about their IGCSE subject choices.

WHY PARENTS CHOOSE OWL ACADEMY FOR GRADES 6–8

Every student who walks through Grades 6 to 8 at Owl Academy does so with a team of specialists behind them. At Owl Academy, every Middle School student receives the academic rigour, individual support, and learning resources that match where they are today - and move them decisively towards where they want to go.

Structured Daily Lessons That Build Real Academic Habits

Every school day at Owl Academy follows a clear timetable that gives Middle School students the structure, routine, and daily intellectual engagement they need. Lessons are interactive and purposeful - teachers encourage students to question, debate, and think independently, not simply absorb information passively. These are the habits that distinguish students who perform well in examinations from those who merely attend classes.

Learning Resources Available Beyond the Classroom

At Owl Academy, learning does not stop when the lesson ends. Students have access to lesson materials, recorded content, and a curated range of enrichment resources that support independent study, revision, and deeper exploration of every subject. For parents, this means your child always has what they need to consolidate their understanding - whether catching up after an absence or pushing further ahead.

Subject Specialists Across More Than Ten Disciplines

Our Middle School teachers are not generalists covering whatever is needed. They are subject specialists - educators with deep expertise in their own disciplines, who bring genuine passion and precision to every lesson. Across more than ten subjects, from Computer Science to Modern Foreign Languages, students learn from teachers who know their subject inside out and who set high expectations as a matter of course.

Personalised Academic Counselling at Every Stage

Regular assessments, structured feedback, and dedicated academic counselling ensure that no Owl Academy Middle School student drifts unnoticed. Progress is monitored continuously, not just at report time. When a student needs additional support, it is identified and addressed early. When a student is ready to be stretched further, that too is recognised. Parents are kept informed and involved throughout - because a child's education works best when school and family work together.

Begin Your Middle School Journey at Owl Academy.

Speak to our admissions team to find out how Owl Academy's Middle School programme can give your child the foundation they need for IGCSE, A Levels, and the world beyond.

Fee Structure

Middle School (Grades 6–8)

Annual Tuition Fee: €15,900

The annual tuition fee covers full access to Owl Academy's Middle School programme across Grades 6, 7, and 8 - including all timetabled lessons, subject specialist teaching across 10+ disciplines, academic counselling, and access to learning resources and enrichment materials throughout the school year.

Enrollment Fees:

Registration Fee (non-refundable): €1,000 per student.
The registration fee is payable when applying to Owl Academy and confirms your child's place in the programme. This fee is non-refundable.

Payment Terms:

All tuition fees are payable within 15 days of enrolment confirmation, or within 7 days of invoice receipt, whichever falls earlier. For queries about payment arrangements, our admissions team is available to discuss your options directly.

Frequently Asked Questions - Middle School at Owl Academy

Have a question? We are here to help.

What is covered in Owl Academy's Middle School programme?
Owl Academy’s Middle School programme covers Grades 6, 7, and 8 – serving students aged 11 to 14 through the British curriculum. Students follow a structured, timetabled programme of daily lessons across a broad range of subjects, taught by specialist teachers. The curriculum expands in depth and rigour across the three grades, culminating in Grade 8 with full subject-level specialisation in Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) and advanced study in Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Art, and PSHE.
How does the Middle School curriculum prepare students for IGCSE?
Owl Academy’s Middle School curriculum is deliberately structured as a stepping stone to IGCSE. By the end of Grade 8, students have developed subject knowledge, independent study habits, and analytical thinking skills that align directly with IGCSE-level expectations. Science splits into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in Grade 8 – mirroring the structure of IGCSE science choices. Students and families work with Owl Academy’s academic advisers to select IGCSE subjects that build naturally on Middle School strengths.
What subjects does my child study in each grade?
The subjects taught at each grade level are: Grade 6 – Art, Geography, History, ICT, Literacy including Phonics, Numeracy, PSHE, and Science. Grade 7 – Art, Computing, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, PSHE, and Science. Grade 8 – Art, Computer Science, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, PSHE, and Science divided into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Each year builds on the previous one, ensuring students are prepared for the subject choices they will face at IGCSE.
When is Modern Foreign Language introduced in Middle School?
Modern Foreign Languages are formally introduced in Grade 7 at Owl Academy’s Middle School, when students are typically aged 12 to 13. This structured introduction builds on the early language awareness developed in Elementary School, giving students a solid foundation in both vocabulary and spoken communication before the demands of IGCSE language study begin. The specific language offered may vary – please contact our admissions team for current details.
How does Owl Academy support students who are finding the work difficult?
No student at Owl Academy falls behind unnoticed. Our academic counselling system means that every Middle School student’s progress is monitored continuously through regular assessments and structured feedback. When a student is struggling – whether with a specific subject, a study habit, or a personal challenge – our teachers and academic advisers identify this early and put targeted support in place. Parents are informed and involved, so that school and family can work together to get the student back on track quickly.
How does Owl Academy stretch students who are academically strong?
Academic challenge is built into how we teach at Owl Academy, not added as an afterthought. Subject specialist teachers set high expectations and structure lessons to push confident students further – through extended tasks, deeper questioning, and enrichment resources beyond the standard syllabus. Students who are ready to move ahead are encouraged and supported to do so. Our small class sizes make this kind of individualised challenge genuinely possible in a way that large-class schools cannot replicate.
How does my child socialise and build friendships at Owl Academy?
Social development is treated as seriously as academic development at Owl Academy. Middle School students collaborate regularly in group projects, class discussions, and structured activities that build communication skills, teamwork, and genuine peer relationships. School events, extracurricular programmes, and collaborative assignments provide additional opportunities for students to connect with each other outside formal lesson time. For families new to Antwerp, our community is often one of the most welcoming they encounter.
Are Owl Academy's Middle School qualifications recognised internationally?
Yes. Owl Academy’s Middle School programme follows the British curriculum – a globally respected educational framework aligned with Pearson/Edexcel International Education and Oxford AQA standards. Progression from Owl Academy’s Middle School into the IGCSE programme, and subsequently into A Levels, leads to qualifications accepted by leading universities in the UK, the United States, Europe, Australia, and beyond. The Middle School years are the foundation on which those internationally recognised outcomes are built.
What is the annual fee for Middle School at Owl Academy?
The annual tuition fee for Owl Academy’s Middle School programme (Grades 6 to 8) is €15,900. A non-refundable registration fee of €1,000 is payable at the point of application to confirm your child’s place. All tuition fees are due within 15 days of enrolment confirmation or within 7 days of invoice receipt, whichever falls earlier. For questions about fees or payment arrangements, please contact our admissions team directly.
How do I apply for the Middle School programme at Owl Academy?
Families can begin the application process by contacting Owl Academy’s admissions team through the website or by telephone on +32 3 369 3512. An academic adviser will arrange a personalized pre-enrolment consultation to assess your child’s current level, discuss the most appropriate grade placement, and guide you through the application steps. We recommend beginning the process as early as possible, particularly for families relocating to Belgium, to ensure your child’s place is secured ahead of the school year.