Secondary

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

We opened our Secondary Department (Key Stage 3) in September 2011.
Below, you will find some key information detailing the nature of the Curriculum and the subjects the students will be undertaking. The Curriculum will allow the children to continue to study from a wide variety of subjects, providing a broad, balanced and varied Education. The aim is to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding of our children to enable them to reach their potential at Star International School and beyond.

Subjects will be taught by Specialist Teachers with recent and relevant experience of the National Curriculum of England and Wales. The children will be encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own development and acquire the tools required to become lifelong independent learners.

The Programme of Study that the students will follow has been devised not only to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the needs of our International Community. By providing such a broad Curriculum we ensure that every student is given the best possible foundation to go on to study IGCSE and 'A' Level Examinations. These qualifications are highly regarded and accepted around the World providing access to even the most prestigious Universities.

The Curriculum is not purely focused on academic achievement. We believe in the development of the whole child and place strong emphasis on the Physical and Creative aspects of learning. An array of engaging, enrichment activities are also provided.

English

Throughout Key Stage 3, students are encouraged and given the opportunity to talk and write about common reading materials i.e. novels, plays, poetry, short stories, whereby emphasis is placed on the promotion and development of independent group reading and thinking.  Students learn how to use language imaginatively and effectively creating posters, leaflets, newspapers, advertisements, and completing suitable questions.
The English Department aims to create English classes that are new and appealing to students, where energy is apparent and learning is active.  By the end of Key Stage 3, students will have mastered the essential skills needed to take them forth to GCSE and A level English.  The English Department in SIS believe that every student can reach their full potential and go beyond all limitations: due to the resource facilities and teacher support networks that are available to students on a daily basis in their school.

Mathematics

The Year 7 programme of study for Mathematics requires that students can use and apply Maths. A Major part of this is the development of functional skills. Functional Maths requires students to use Mathematics in ways that enable them to operate confidently in life and work in a wide range of contexts.
Student will develop the skills and confidence to apply, combine and adapt their mathematical knowledge to new situations. The necessary mathematical knowledge can be classified as 'Competency' and 'Functionality'. The New Maths Frame-working scheme is used to support the children's learning and provide assessment opportunities throughout the year.

Science

The scheme we are using in Year 7 "Exploring Science: How Science Works (HSW) provides an extensive resource for us to dip into and extract the necessary materials to allow us to produce a progressive and coherent course meeting the Science Outcomes of the British Curriculum. In using the materials from Exploring Science, it allows us to cover the four capacities- Confident Individuals, Successful Learners, Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors."

History

Study history, study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft
Winston Churchill

The aim and philosophy of the History Department in SIS is to make it possible to develop in students the intellectual ability to analyse and interpret historical information critically and responsibly. History has the ability to develop students as individuals, whereby they can act as contributors to society, to the economy, and the environment; thus, it offers students an invaluable education.
History not only teaches individuals about those who have gone before them, and events that have subsequently shaped their lives; but it also has the ability to foster students towards exercising critical thinking, effective communication and imaginative stimulation.
It is our role as history teachers, in SIS, to inject adventure and discovery into our history classrooms.  By selecting and organising historical content, students are introduced to the investigative process of handling, reading, and evaluating historical sources.  Throughout Key Stage 3, students study history in chronological order and are introduced to a wide collection of historical eras including the Medieval Ages, Early Modern England, World War I, and Twentieth Century Europe.  Within this time frame, students become accustomed to influential people from the past who have shaped our future and examine the effects history has on our day-to-day lives.
At SIS, History is reminisced and studied through a range of sources: sound, images, moving pictures, written words, role plays, open debate, and research.  By the end of Key Stage 3 students will be equipped with the essential skills needed to excel in and complete GCSE History.

Physical Education

At Star, we believe that Physical Education is an extremely important part of our Curriculum. Our Key Stage 3 P.E. Programme is totally inclusive regardless of ability, but at the same time places great emphasis on competition and skill development. Our Programme enables pupils to enjoy and succeed in many different types of Sport and Physical Activities. They will learn a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. During performances, they will learn to analyse theirs and other actions and have a clear understanding as to what they need to do to improve. An emphasis will also be placed on how to lead a healthy life through exercise and a balanced diet.

P.S.H.E

The Emotional Curriculum for Early Teens KS3 and The Emotional Curriculum for Young Adults KS4 are designed to fulfill many objectives, specifically addressing many of the challenges and stresses encountered by today's young people in both a social and an educational context.
The scheme includes engaging activities that will motivate students. Sessions are broken down into short, achievable tasks that incorporate a range of learning styles.
Key skills focused upon include the following: self-awareness, managing feelings, decision-making, managing stress, conflict resolution, personal responsibility, self-concept, empathy, communication, and group dynamics.