What stages and programmes make up the Cambridge Pathway?

Updated

The Cambridge Pathway is a staged curriculum and assessment framework for learners aged 3 to 19, organised into five stages: Cambridge Early Years (age 3+), Cambridge Primary (age 5+), Cambridge Lower Secondary (age 11+), Cambridge Upper Secondary / Cambridge Pre-Advanced (age 14+), and Cambridge Advanced (age 16+). Each stage combines a curriculum, assessment options, teaching and learning resources, and support services, so a school can join at one stage or run the full path.

Stage-by-stage overview

Stage Age Curriculum focus Subjects / qualifications Assessment and insight
Cambridge Early Years 3+ Play-based programme with a holistic curriculum and engaging resources 6 curriculum areas, including Personal, social and emotional development Support to measure progress
Cambridge Primary 5+ Clear, adaptable curriculum 10+ subjects, including English, Mathematics and Science Flexible assessment options; insight to understand potential
Cambridge Lower Secondary 11+ Clear, adaptable curriculum 10+ subjects, including English, Mathematics and Science Flexible assessment options; insight to predict performance
Cambridge Upper Secondary / Cambridge Pre-Advanced 14+ Broad, adaptable curriculum Cambridge IGCSE: 70+ subjects; Cambridge O Level: 40+ subjects; Cambridge ICE Fair, valid, reliable assessment; insight to optimise achievement
Cambridge Advanced 16+ In-depth, adaptable curriculum Cambridge International AS & A Level: 50+ subjects; Cambridge AICE; Cambridge IPQ Fair, valid, reliable assessment; insight to predict performance

How the four components fit together

Every stage is built on the same four-part structure, which is what makes the pathway continuous rather than a set of separate qualifications:

  • Curriculum: a clear, adaptable subject framework that schools can shape around their own context.
  • Assessment: options that range from flexible classroom checks in the younger stages to externally recognised qualifications at Upper Secondary and Advanced.
  • Resources: published materials for schools, plus the School Support Hub — a secure site for registered Cambridge schools with over 40,000 teaching and learning support materials across the pathway.
  • Support: professional development courses for teachers and school leaders, and administrative tools such as exam timetables and key dates.

What this means in practice

A school can enter the pathway at any stage, and learners move through it with a consistent approach to curriculum design and assessment. For example, a school running Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary can use the flexible assessment options to track progress internally, then move learners into Cambridge IGCSE or O Level at 14+ and on to AS & A Level at 16+.

Two practical points for schools running timetabled exams: all candidates must be under Full Centre Supervision or in the exam at the Key Time, and exam administration dates and timetables should be checked against the current published schedules rather than assumed from previous years.

To find a school offering the pathway or to join as a Cambridge school, the site provides dedicated entry points for joining Cambridge and finding a Cambridge school.