The Berkeley Institute opened its doors to a new batch of students yesterday — all of whom will embark upon the Cambridge Curriculum next week.

The Ministry of Education is introducing the internationally-recognised curriculum in public schools in a bid to raise standards.

Berkeley welcomed 147 new pupils and their parents for a day of getting to know the school before term starts on September 8.

Board of governors chairman Craig Bridgewater said: "The new Cambridge Curriculum to be implemented at the school this year offers great promise and I am pleased that Berkeley Institute teachers are fully trained and ready to implement the programme."

Principal Michelle Simmons told the new students that their challenge would be to obtain a GPA of 2.0 — equivalent to a C grade — in order to graduate in 2014 with a Bermuda School Certificate.