Curriculum

Curriculum

The school curriculum has always been eclectic, to expose the student to a maximum number of activities so that he can choose the activities suited to his taste and abilities, develop them to excellence and hone them during competitions of all levels.  A few years ago the various activities in the school curriculum were crystallized into a five-pointed star.  Activities of a similar type are grouped under a curriculum programme; each of these is organised and supervised by a Curriculum Head and a School Prefect.

The five curriculum programmes are as under:

1. The Chelmsford Sinker Academic Programme
   The school is affiliated to the ICSE Council for Class X and Class XII Examinations.  The Syllabus for classes IX and X, as well as for XI and XII is stipulated by the Council.  The Syllabus for the Junior School is designed by the school to equip the student with basic skills in the languages and sciences, mathematics, computer studies and art.  The middle school syllabus is designed to be a bridge between the Junior School and Main School, so that it dovetails with the Council syllabus yet retains some independence to provide the best learning experience to the students during these crucial years.

The Academic faculty complement and supplement the class room teaching with field trips, laboratory work, audio-visual lessons, student –led research work, and by inviting guest speakers, in order to enrich the learning experiences of the students.

Career Counselling, etiquette training, apprenticeship programmes and personality development are also used to help the student in all-round development and making an intelligent choice of subjects and activities which target their short term and long term goals.

Incentives under this programme include honour lists for academic performance, Open Prizes in all subjects and Full School Blazer for academics.

Another feather in the cap is introduction of the IGCSE curriculum offered as an option from Class 9 onwards. The Cambridge Pathway prepares students for life – helping them to develop an informed curiosity and lasting passion for learning.

Cambridge International helps students become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. Ready to tackle the demands of tomorrow’s world, capable of shaping a better world for the future.

That’s why success with Cambridge International opens doors to the world’s best universities – in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and beyond.

It’s what you’d expect from an organisation that is part of the world-leading University of Cambridge.

• The Grindlays Games Programme
  Over the years the school has developed infrastructure for a number of games and sports.  Cricket, Hockey, Soccer and Swimming are played seasonally and tennis, squash, table-tennis, badminton, basket-ball, volley ball are played through the year.  Athletics, gymnastics and physical training are also popular among the boys.  Boxing and marathon running are sports which see the participation of every single medically fit boy of the school.

The school has excellent playing fields and tracks, courts, a world class astroturf ground, net cages for cricket training, a shooting range, a gymnasium and facilities for indoor sports.  The PTIs and coaches are specialists and national-level players who supervise, coach and train the boys for excellence and guide them to triumphs at tournaments.

Each sporting season culminates with an inter-house and then an inter-school tournament attended by the best teams of the region.  Victorus Ludorum is awarded in most sports and Colours are awarded for achievers at the end of the year.  Full School Blazers and sashes are awarded to champions who display skills of  a high standard. 
The programme not only develops the physical stamina, co-ordination and skills of the students but also develops team spirit, honourable sportsmanship, winning with humility and losing with dignity.

• The Bayliss Co-curricular Programme
  The school actively encourages co-curricular and extra-curricular activities  which equip the students with skills which will help them to be accomplished in any field that they enter.  Debating, MUN and elocution are extremely popular and the school trains and polishes students in public speaking.  The Slater Debates are held at BCS and attract school teams from all over the country and is reputed to be the best competition in the school debating circuit in India.
  Drama and other stage activities are performed every year and the whole student body participates in inter-house competitions, besides a host of other programmes on stage. 
  Music is close to the heart of every Cottonian and facilities exist at school for teaching Indian vocal and instrumental music, western vocal and instrumental music, brass band and choir.  The School Band, ‘The Sphinx’ consists of the best musicians who hold concerts for various occasions and also host the Annual Music Fest ‘Sparks’ which attracts school bands from different places..
  Students are also trained in operating and maintaining of sound and light equipment.
  The Nature Club, Meteorological Club, Creative Writing Club, Middle School Book Reading Club,  Automobile Club, The Quizzing Club and the Photography Club also contribute to developing varied interests in the students.

The school by foundation and tradition accords great importance to spiritual growth.  The school teaches the students respect for all religions and the morning Chapel is used to inculcate this.  The Chaplain, the House Masters, House Tutors help in this process.  All the festivals are celebrated together to sensitise the children to culture and traditions. 

• The Edinburgh Outward-Bound Programme
  Bishop Cotton School is well known for the outward-bound activities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, obstacle course, NCC, tours and treks.  The school is also part of the International Awards for Young People awarded by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 

The school organizes one mountaineering expedition every year which includes staff and student mountaineers.  Students are sent for basic and advanced mountaineering courses to prepare them for the expeditions.  Six successful expeditions have been organised so far to the most technical, adventurous and difficult peaks in the Himalayan range with heights of over 20,000 feet.

The school has an artificial rock climbing wall and an obstacle course designed by specialists from the Army Training Corps. This programme is directly under the supervision of Brigadier D.K. Khullar  (PVSM) who has years of experience with such activities and is himself an Everester.  Accomplished staff members who are trained for the purpose assist him. Minor and Major Colours are awarded in the various activities in this programme. And of course, the mountaineers who reach the summit of the peak become heroes and join the other legends of the school.

 The school also organizes tours and treks for all students to various parts of the country.  The treks, which are under the direct supervision of the school staff, are planned to be age appropriate, and are guided by accredited tour guides.  The treks include activities like hiking, survival training, nature appreciation, wild life conservation, adventure sports etc.

• The Sapan Walia Outreach Programme
  Community services are an integral part of the school curriculum.  The students are encouraged to participate in them.
  Service is not a new idea to Bishop Cotton School, to Cottonians.
  Community service is a life-changing way to shape young minds into meaningful ones. Far too many people need our help in this world. When more of the younger generation realizes this, we will live in a much better place.

Community service changes young minds for the better. When students start to commit themselves to missions like this at a young age, we realise there is so much more to life than social media, online gaming, good food and movies!
Education brings opportunity.
Community service entails significant points once students start applying in universities. Scholarship opportunities in select colleges are also made available to those who are active members of an Interact Club. This opportunity presents a rare chance to make the most of your education.!
Therefore, Bishop Cotton School presents students with an opportunity in the form of an Interact Club sponsored by The Rotary Club, Shimla. This was done in a formal induction ceremony on 16th July, 2024 in the historic Irwin Hall. It brought together a faculty advisor and 30 students of grades 10- 12 to
• Take action to make a difference in the school and community
• Discover new cultures and promote international understanding
• Become a leader in the school and community
• Have fun and make new friends from around the world
Also Hope Foundation led by two faculties and students from Class 10^th and above volunteer in:

-The Cancer Care project
– Tree plantation schemes
– Donating essential items to orphanages, old-age homes, and animal shelters

–Health and awareness programs

-Literacy programs

Socially Useful Productive Work is part of the ICSE requirements and various activities are undertaken by each student for which he is graded at the end of the year. 

Through our community service initiatives, we aim to sensitize our students to social issues and develop civic sense. By empowering young minds, we believe we can create a brighter future for our community.