Supporting our young people to thrive in a changing world
Our public schools are changing to help children and young people to follow their passions and interests, build on their talents and capabilities, and achieve their future goals.
What’s different?
What it feels like to learn and belong at school, and to graduate
As a result of three years of collaboration with educators, families, industry and communities, new teaching and learning approaches are taking shape in Bermuda’s public schools. From September 2022 onwards, young people and their families will experience new curricula, teaching and assessment practices, new ways to make sure they are included at school, new partners in learning and new graduation requirements.
In order to reform education, the Government has committed to move from a 3-tier to a 2-tier education system by phasing out middle schools and introducing Parish Primary Schools and Signature Schools.
To phase out middle schools, the starting age for senior school is being lowered from 14 to 13 years of age. Once the legislation is implemented, students will start senior school one year earlier and senior school will be five years in duration. This applies to students currently in M1 and younger.
The move from 3-tiers to 2-tiers will be phased in over five years and require additional legislation:
Tier 1 will include primary schools consisting of year levels from P1 to P8.
Tier 2 will include senior schools consisting of year levels from S1 to S5.
The first two signature schools - CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute - open in September 2022. You can find out more information about the signatures being offered by these schools in the section below.
At the end of the five-year period, there will be five senior level signature schools in total. It is also proposed that there be an exceptionalities signature school and an alternative education signature school for students of all ages.
Moving from a 3-tier to 2-tier system
Explore Bermuda’s schools
About Parish Primary Schools
How Parish Primary Schools are changing to become exciting hubs of learning for children, families and communities… Learn more
About Signature Schools
How Signature Schools look and feel different. Find out more about Signature Learning Programmes, taster programmes and more… Learn more
Rethinking Advisory
How the new Advisory model puts relationships and community at its core… Learn more
Graduating from Signature Schools
Learn about how graduation works in signature schools… Learn more