Pupils in Secondary follow the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Subjects studied include English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Art & Design, Drama, Music, French, Computing, PSHE, Spanish, Panamanian History & Geography and Physical Education. In Year 9, pupils begin accessing GCSE-level content.
Interrogate and debate
As children get older, we teach them to think more critically. They learn how to investigate, evaluate and think about things rationally. Classes are more focused on formal “subject-based” learning. Nine or ten IGCSE exams are taken at the end of this stage in different subjects.
Strive for excellence
By challenging pupils to strive for excellence, we achieve exceptional examination results. One of our key objectives is to develop the skills of inquiry in our pupils, leading to an independent approach to learning and a wide range of research skills.
Key stage 3: Years 7-9 (age 11-14)
Starting Year 7 is a big step in any student’s education. Under the British system, pupils move from Primary to Secondary School at the age of 11 and begin to deepen their subject knowledge and independent study skills. We acknowledge the anxiety that this move can sometimes cause, and work with Year 6 pupils to help them prepare for their first day in Secondary School.
As part of the transition process, our Year 6 students are taught a range of lessons by Secondary School specialists in Art, French, Physical Education and Science.
In addition, we run a thorough Transition Week in June, during which all pupils in Year 6 are given their provisional Year 7 timetable and invited to visit the Secondary School classrooms. While at Secondary School, students in Key Stage 3 take part in assemblies, lessons, activities, and workshops that allow them to meet their new Form Tutors and teachers, get a feel of their subjects, and familiarise themselves with the growing expectations placed upon them as they enter this new phase.
Year 7 & 8 Curriculum
Pupils in Year 7 and 8 follow the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Subjects studied include English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Art & Design, Drama, Music, French, Computing, PSHE, Spanish, Panamanian History & Geography, and Physical Education.
Single lessons are 60 mins long and double, usually in Mathematics, Science and Physical Education, are 2 hours long to allow for the assembly of equipment and preliminary instruction.
Year 9 Curriculum
In Year 9, Secondary School pupils continue to build upon the subjects taught in the previous two years, although in English, Science and Mathematics, pupils start to access GCSE-level content in preparation for the next year of schooling. Additional subjects are studied at this level and include Geography, History, Art & Design, Drama, Music, French, Computing, PSHE, Spanish, Panamanian History, World History, and Physical Education. Physical Education is taught once a week in a double (1h 40mins) lesson.
Towards the 2nd term of Year 9, pupils begin to receive advice and support on choosing the subjects they may wish to study in Years 10 and 11. An information sharing event for parents, as well as an options day for pupils, is arranged before pupils are asked to decide on the final subjects, they will study for their IGCSE programme.
Assessment, Recording, Reporting & Tracking
We assess pupils in KS3 using a system based upon the new 9 – 1 grading system at Key Stage 4, which ranges across 9 Thresholds from Novice to Excellent. We report on a pupil’s attitude to Learning, Homework, Use of English, predicted grades and aspirational Grade/Threshold on a termly basis, with evaluations based upon our belief that all students should “Aspire to Excellence.”
The Thresholds are shared with students and their parents following any Formative or Summative Assessments, which allow students to identify where they are in terms of their skills and subject knowledge, and better understand what they need to do to progress to the next threshold. Pupils are expected to make a minimum of one level of progress in the course of the school year, from their baseline to their predicted/aspirational grade (flight path). Pupils will also be expected to be working at a “Secure” level by the end of an academic year, especially in core subjects, in order to progress towards the next phase of learning (Phase before Age).
Pupils and parents receive three reports each year and will also be invited into school to meet with your child’s Form Tutor and Subject Teachers. Our educators value the relationship they have with parents and understand that by supporting children both at home and at school, students can achieve the best outcomes,
For further information, please download our Parent Guide to Assessment as well as our Assessment Calendar for Parents.
BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL (I)GCSE STUDENT
Years 10 and 11 mark an intensive period of study under the British system, as Secondary School students begin to prepare for, and then take, examinations known as IGCSEs. Designed by Cambridge International, this comprehensive curriculum is based upon the Secondary curriculum implemented in schools in England and Wales for 14 to 16-year-olds. The course allows learners to undertake examinations and gain internationally-recognised qualifications.
Students will be expected to be more independent in their study habits and to enter a regular revision programme whereby they are reviewing and revisiting topics they have covered in preparation for their examinations that they will take at the end of Year 11. We expect students in Years 10 and 11 to be studying for approximately 1½ hours per evening in order to make satisfactory progress. This study time will not always be directed by class teachers via homework tasks, and it is important for pupils to undertake private study and review any gaps in their understanding.
Attendance is another key factor to success at IGCSE. If your child is sick and needs to stay at home, they should contact friends or teachers using their school-provided email address and Google Classroom page in order to remain on top of any work they are missing. Attendance rates of at least 95% are expected of all Year 10 and 11 students; please note that attendance of 90% represents one day off every two weeks, or approximately 240 lost learning hours over the two-year course. The impact of low or non-attendance on a pupil’s final attainment is obvious and is detrimental to their learning outcomes.
Year 10 & 11 Curriculum
Students in Years 10 & 11 study a core curriculum and may choose two additional optional subjects.
Compulsory IGCSE Subjects
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Spanish (A-Level)
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Compulsory Complementary Studies
Physical Education
Personal, Social & Health Education
Panamanian History and Geography
Optional IGCSE Subjects (Subject to demand)
Computer Science
French
Geography
History
PE
Art
External Examinations
Compulsory and optional IGCSE subjects will culminate in examinations at the end of Year 11. Early entry for Years 9 and 10 typically includes Spanish and English as an Additional Language. Please note that these examinations are externally set, marked and moderated by one of two examination boards. (I)GCSE is a highly regarded qualification which is accredited by OfQual and is currently examined, in our school, by CIE (Cambridge) and Pearson (Edexcel).
Examination timetables are set by the boards each year and cannot be altered. Speaking and practical examinations can take place as early as March of Year 11, whilst written examinations normally take place from the beginning of May until the end of June. It is imperative that parents do not book any holidays for pupils in Year 11 after Christmas as any examinations that are missed cannot be taken at another time and normally result in an X (NO RESULT) grade in the final exam.
Assessment, Recording, Reporting and Tracking
Pupils in Years 10-11 are currently assessed against the existing GCSE criteria using a scale of 9-1 (9 being the highest available grade). You will receive three reports each year and will also be invited to meet with your child’s Form Tutor and Subject Teachers.
In January of Year 11, all students sit “Mock” examinations, which serve to provide a snapshot of where pupils sit on their flight path and provide an indication of outcomes in the formal GCSE examinations.
Official results are usually released at the end of August and students have online secure access to their results on results day. Original certificates are posted to the school at the end of November and can be collected from our Admissions Office.
