Years 7, 8 & 9

This section contains an outline for each of the subjects in the Upper School.

The information here is not exhaustive, but we hope that it gives parents and students an insight into the skills, concepts and ideas that they will encounter. Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum which includes the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, French or Spanish, Arabic, Geography, History, Art, Drama, Music, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education. Information Technology skills are integrated into the context of each of these subject areas.

The curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9 has its roots in the English National Curriculum, but has been further developed and adapted to the particular context of our school's international student body and our particular location.

For most subjects students are taught in their mixed ability form tutor groups. For Maths, French and Arabic students are placed in sets. In Maths and French the different sets follow the same curriculum. In Arabic, the different sets follow different courses to suit their different experience (or lack of previous experience) of the language. For Physical Education students are taught in separate gender groups.

Students are assessed in a variety of different ways, depending on what is appropriate to the subject and the nature of the skills or understanding that is being assessed. The types of assessment used include projects, assignments, end of unit tests, homework exercises, classwork exercises, orals, practical work, presentations and end of year exams.

Students receive two written reports in the year. The first report, which includes attainment and effort grades for each subject and a written comment from the form tutor is issued during term 2. The second report which includes subject skill grades and attainment and effort grades along with written comments from each subject teacher is issued at the end of the school year. Parent Consultations take place twice during the school year.

Homework is seen as an important aspect of the curriculum and students are expected to complete tasks by the specified date and to the best of their ability. A homework timetable operates for all students to help them organise their time. Students receive homework in three subjects each day and each should take about 30 to 40 minutes. Two homeworks are set per week in English, Maths, Science, Arabic and French/Spanish and one homework per week in other subjects.