As a parent what should you know about the Cambridge Curriculum? Pune’s DLRC walks you through it.

Learning has taken different shapes throughout history but modern education has sculpted a dynamic system for learning over the last couple of centuries. Some forms of education have remained rigid while others have consciously adapted to changing needs and honed generations of talent. One such time-tested format is the Cambridge curriculum at DLRC Pune along with a fusion of real-world learnings. If you are looking to dive into what is the essence of the Cambridge curriculum or are considering Cambridge education for your child, this blog is for you.

1. Why are parents opting for the Cambridge curriculum as one of the best choices for their children?

Being Future-ready: Being an alumnus of a top university in India or abroad is an achievement like no other. The best of Indian institutions recognise and accept Cambridge International A Level qualifications, also known as General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Levels (A). All UK universities and over 600 US universities accept the Cambridge curriculum for intakes, including Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and other top institutions like Stanford and Princeton.

Skill-based Learning: Enabling your child to be a part of these prestigious universities is certainly an idea that must excite you as a parent. After all, it is the peak quality of education and exposure that your child gets. Preparation for this begins at the school level. But the majority of curriculums in India revolve around the idea of rote memorisation. While it is not a bad practice per se, skill-based learning takes a backseat and it shows up in areas later in college and professional life, like a lack in analytical skills, research, independent thinking etc. The Cambridge approach focuses on building problem-solving and critical thinking skills from a young age through inquiry-based learning.

Life Requires Flexibility: Moreover, real life does not demand skills only from a limited set of subjects being taught in boards like the CBSE or ICSE. Excelling in the competitive world out there requires a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach. Cambridge replicates this thought at the school level by offering students over 70 subject combinations to tailor their education based on their strengths, aptitudes and career aspirations. 

2. How does DLRC’s Cambridge Approach prepare students for Top Universities? 

Strong Foundation in Critical & Analytical Thinking: Every parent wants their child to do well not only in academics but also in activities that require them to think critically or solve problems. DLRC's approach ensures that such skills are picked up by students through inquiry-based learning where students grasp concepts by going in-depth and questioning the "why" behind everything. This is exactly the type of approach that matches the high standards of prestigious universities worldwide that are specifically looking for students with such skills and abilities.

Holistic Development Beyond Routine Academics: The traditional mindset for decades is that education is all about grades. But in actuality, it is beyond that. It is also about encouraging curiosity-driven understanding and fostering critical reasoning. The Cambridge curriculum is designed in such a way that it thoroughly equips students in all these aspects through a hands-on approach rather than a rote memorisation approach. This is precisely why we, at DLRC, offer our students initiatives like TED for Teens, Social Impact Project, and internships, that give them platforms where they can apply these skills, collaborate with peers, and thus create a real impact.

Counseling & Support for College Applications: The process of college admissions after high school is quite tedious and stressful for many students as well as their parents. This is because of the intense competition between applicants to get into the top universities. That's why DLRC offers a college counselling programme that provides tailored support to high school students to ensure that they have a smooth admission process. Our facilitators offer support with college essays too. We also provide them with thoughtful letters of recommendation as required by world-class universities in and outside India.

This all-around preparation is more than just academics and applications; it also gives students confidence, the ability to adapt, and the attitude to solve problems. So by the time they join college, they are not only academically ready, but they are also prepared to deal with the challenges of a competitive world. 

3. What do top universities look for in students?

Academic Excellence Coupled with Conceptual Clarity: It is definitely crucial and necessary to secure good grades during exams. However, the top Indian and foreign universities don't focus only on that one aspect of a student. They, in fact, seek students who understand concepts deeply and who can practically implement what they have learned. This is one of the many things the Cambridge curriculum prepares students for. Right from a young age, we nurture our students’ critical thinking and practical skills, which over the years have become strong assets that make them the ideal candidates for admission to prestigious universities.

Extracurricular Achievements & Social Impact: Universities want students who go beyond the bare minimum of textbook learning. They instead want them to have been a part of meaningful and impactful community service where they may have taken the initiative to lead and contribute. That’s why it is consistently such well-rounded students who especially stand out in college applications due to their active participation and contribution to environmental projects, social drives, arts, sports and more. DLRC’s curriculum helps students inculcate these on a deeper level through environmental initiatives that bring about their social consciousness, which then automatically reflects on their portfolios.

Research-orientated & Innovative Learning: One thing that sets top university applicants apart is their ability to think outside the box. This is one of the most underrated skills that most traditional schools do not include as part of their curriculum. That’s where DLRC’s innovative learning approach comes into the picture. Project-based work at DLRC, study trips, and the Design Lab help students approach problems like researchers. This helps them to be future-ready for any challenges, generate fresh ideas, solve problems in the real world, and ultimately get ahead on their college applications to top universities in India and abroad.

4. How does DLRC go beyond traditional CBSE and ICSE educational institutions?

Experiential Learning: In the standard CBSE and ICSE curriculums, students focus on completing the syllabus and doing well on tests. DLRC, on the other hand, emphasises experiential learning, real-world applications, and student-led projects. This not only keeps students interested in learning but also strengthens their understanding of all subjects in such a way that makes sure they remember what they've learned and can use it correctly.

Interdisciplinary Education: Most traditional boards have a rigid and fixed combination of subjects that students have to compulsorily study. But at DLRC, students have the absolute freedom to explore and choose from a wide range of subjects that specifically meet the requirements of their future goals and interests. So, whether they want to study economics and environmental science together or math and sociology, students have the absolute freedom to choose the subjects that meet their requirements.

Exposure to Industry: In traditional schooling systems, there is often a big gap between what students learn in school and what they need to know at their workplace. DLRC fills this gap by combining internal and external internships into the curriculum so that students leave not only with information but also with valuable experience that helps them get the upper hand as compared to other candidates during the job-hunting process. Thus they stand a better chance of securing their dream jobs in such a competitive world out there.

5. Exploring the real world for a proactive learning experience:

Field Trips: There is more to learning than just sitting within the four walls of a classroom. Students at DLRC are taken on multiple field trips and they visit places like the National Chemical Laboratory, or events like the Pune Film Festival, and historical spots. This helps them link what they learn to how the real world functions, thus shaping their perspectives.

Skill Development: Students need to develop skills that will help them in their daily lives. At DLRC, the Design Lab, handwork sessions, and Environmental Literacy programmes teach practical skills including farming, carpentry, and ecology. These programmes encourage students to be independent and ready for any situation that arises where these skills come in handy.

Projects Led by Students: By carrying out their own studies and conducting research on their projects, they take charge of their own learning processes through which they figure out how to come up with ideas and implement them. Such an approach helps them build their self-confidence, leadership qualities, as well as the capacity to solve problems by means of original ideas. This prepares them for the real world just as much as for college.

Schools and learning spaces in Pune are constantly evolving and DLRC is one of the best learning spaces because of its unique Cambridge-aligned approach. This could be the best way to train and prepare your children so that they have a future-ready experience to face real-life challenges.