What is LAI?
LAI is a modern international awarding and assessment organisation. It awards the International GCSE, International A Level and International Foundation Programme and works with approved schools to help learners reach the required academic standard.
What does LAI award learners?
LAI awards three connected accredited programme routes: International GCSE; International A Level, including International AS Level; and International Foundation Programme. Together, they provide progression from secondary education through advanced study and preparation for university.
What makes LAI different?
LAI is designed to work around the strengths a school already has. Schools can retain suitable curricula, textbooks, teachers and teaching approaches while aligning them to LAI outcomes and assessment standards. Nexus makes that alignment visible and helps schools identify where further teaching or intervention is needed.
How does City & Guilds accreditation strengthen LAI?
City & Guilds accreditation provides independent external assurance of LAI's programmes. City & Guilds accredits the programmes, while LAI remains responsible for the award.
What does City & Guilds accreditation mean for an approved school?
It means that the programmes delivered by the school sit within an externally accredited framework. Schools become part of a model in which LAI’s academic and assessment requirements are reinforced by City & Guilds accreditation and continuing quality expectations.
Can our school retain its existing curriculum?
Yes. LAI does not require a strong school to discard an effective curriculum. Nexus maps the school’s existing scheme of work against LAI outcomes and shows where the required standard is already covered and where additional work is needed.
Can we continue using our existing textbooks?
Yes. Schools may continue using suitable textbooks and resources where they cover the required LAI learning outcomes and assessment objectives. Nexus helps make this alignment clear.
Can we retain our existing teachers?
Yes. A school may continue with suitably qualified and experienced teachers. LAI reviews the centre’s proposed teaching capacity as part of the approval process and gives teachers access to accredited programme guidance and professional development.
What is Nexus?
Nexus is LAI’s Educational Intelligence layer. It connects curriculum, teaching, learner readiness, assessment and progression. It works beneath the teaching a school already does and makes progress against the LAI Standard easier to see. LAI is the institution. Nexus is how it works.
How does Nexus map our curriculum?
The school provides its existing scheme of work, curriculum structure and principal resources. Nexus maps these against the relevant LAI outcomes, identifies areas of alignment and highlights any gaps that need to be addressed before assessment.