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Academic Pathway
Academic Pathway
South Island School Roadmap
Student Learning Experience
Parents Experience
Activities to learn more about your child's learning
Years 7 - 9 IB MYP Curriculum
The IB MYP Curriculum is intended to help students build study skills and explore without
examination pressure. There are internal tests and assessments but it will not be part of their academic record
Year
7-8
All students start the same currciulum in Year 7 and continue through Year 8
Throughout the academic year, Teacher-Parent consulations include
Guiding Day
A single day has been set aside for an interview between the Tutor, student and parent in which recent PCC’s and available data are used to help the student reflect on their progress. The aim of the day is to provide an opportunity for students to set learning targets, discuss and plan their future and address any issues or concerns that they may have. Students are timetabled a 15-minute one-to-one interview with their tutor at an agreed time.
Appointments are made on the Booking System. Attendance at this interview is obligatory for students even if you are unable to attend.
Student Led Consultations
Every year group will have an annual student led consultation. This is an opportunity to have discussions between staff and students to facilitate the process of reviewing learning with the student. The meeting lasts for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Students lead the conversations and review their own progress with the tutor, subject teacher and parents. The subject teacher will discuss progress in relation to individual work or progress across a range of work.
Terms 1 - 3
Curriculum Evenings
Year
9
Students begin slightly different curriculum
Term 1 - Term 2:
GCSE Subject choice preparation
Term 2
GCSE Options Evening
These are particularly important evenings when parents and students will need to make curriculum choices for the next academic year. There will be speeches and presentations that explain the choices that need to be made, show the paperwork that needs to be used and the important deadlines. Parents need to agree to choices made by their children and usually need to sign forms to give permission. The resources used on the evenings are usually placed on the School website. The evenings take place in Year 9 (to choose GCSE courses that start in Year 10) and in Year 11 (to choose IB/Diploma courses that start in Year 12).
+ Subject Choice Decision
Terms 2-3
MYP Community Project
The MYP is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The MYP at SIS is a three-year programme, starting in Year 7 and ending in Year 9 with the Community Project. The MYP prepares students to undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Career-related Programme (CP) very well as it focuses in on skills and attributes essential to learning.
In Year 9, in preparation for student's IGCSE, Teacher-Parent consulations will prepare parents for student subject options decisions
Term 2
Y9 Options Evening
These are particularly important evenings when parents and students will need to make curriculum choices for the next academic year. There will be speeches and presentations that explain the choices that need to be made, show the paperwork that needs to be used and the important deadlines. Parents need to agree to choices made by their children and usually need to sign forms to give permission. The resources used on the evenings are usually placed on the School website. The evenings take place in Year 9 (to choose GCSE courses that start in Year 10) and in Year 11 (to choose IB/Diploma courses that start in Year 12).
Note: We encourage parents to be involved in the decision process about students' GCSE choices
Term 3
MYP Community Project Presentations
In Year 9 Middle Years Programme (MYP), students experience the responsibility of completing a significant piece of work over an extended period of time. This project will involve working in groups to propose, plan, implement, and present a project that serves a need in our community.
The aims of the Community Project is to encourage and enable students to participate in a sustained, self-directed inquiry, generate creative new insights and develop deeper understandings through in-depth investigation. The Project will culminate in an exhibition open to parents and the wider SIS community.
Years 10-11
I/GCSE
Year
10
Year 10 & Year 11 Two-year curriculum leading to public examinations
GCSE/International GCSE
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is a UK qualification for students aged 16.
The IGCSE tests similar skills but is free from a UK context, to make it more accessible for international students.
Throughout the academic year, Teacher-Parent consulations include
Guiding Day
A single day has been set aside for an interview between the Tutor, student and parent in which recent PCC’s and available data are used to help the student reflect on their progress. The aim of the day is to provide an opportunity for students to set learning targets, discuss and plan their future and address any issues or concerns that they may have. Students are timetabled a 15-minute one-to-one interview with their tutor at an agreed time.
Appointments are made on the Booking System. Attendance at this interview is obligatory for students even if you are unable to attend.
Student Led Consultations
Every year group will have an annual student led consultation. This is an opportunity to have discussions between staff and students to facilitate the process of reviewing learning with the student.
The meeting lasts for about 5 to 10 minutes. Students lead the conversations and review their own progress with the tutor, subject teacher and parents. The subject teacher will discuss progress in relation to individual work or progress across a range of work.
Terms 1 - 3
Curriculum Evenings
Year
11
Term 2
IB Options Evening
These are particularly important evenings when parents and students will need to make curriculum choices for the next academic year. There will be speeches and presentations that explain the choices that need to be made, show the paperwork that needs to be used and the important deadlines. Parents need to agree to choices made by their children and usually need to sign forms to give permission. The resources used on the evenings are usually placed on the School website. The evenings take place in Year 9 (to choose GCSE courses that start in Year 10) and in Year 11 (to choose IB/Diploma courses that start in Year 12).
+ Subject Choice Decision
Term 3
I/GCSE Exams
In Year 11, in preparation for student's Year 12-13 studies
Teacher-Parent consulations will prepare parents for student subject options decisions
Term 2
Y11 Options Evening
These are particularly important evenings when parents and students will need to make curriculum choices for the next academic year. There will be speeches and presentations that explain the choices that need to be made, show the paperwork that needs to be used and the important deadlines. Parents need to agree to choices made by their children and usually need to sign forms to give permission. The resources used on the evenings are usually placed on the School website. The evenings take place in Year 9 (to choose GCSE courses that start in Year 10) and in Year 11 (to choose IB/Diploma courses that start in Year 12).
Note: We encourage parents to be involved in the decision process about students' IB choices
Years 12-13
IB or BTEC
Year
12
Two-year curriculum leading to public examinations
IB or BTEC
IB
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a broad academic pathway taken by around 83% of students at South Island School. It is an internationally recognised qualification for entry into University and is welcomed in the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia. It is a 2-year programme that students begin in their final 2 years of School (Years 12 and 13).
It is academically challenging and students need to select 6 subjects to study - in general terms this will be a first language, a second language, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and a creative subject (the full list of subjects that can be studied can be found here).
They study 3 subjects at a Higher Level and 3 at a Standard Level. They are also required to complete a programme of activities, as well as a course called Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and to write a 4,000 word academic essay. The maximum score is 45 points (6 subjects each have a maximum of 7 points with 3 extra points available for ToK and the academic essay).
BTEC
BTEC is a vocational qualification which students can take at two levels. The qualifications involve more assessment during the course (called continuous assessment). They are good choices for students who don’t like examinations but they are NOT easier - just different.
Careers and Higher Education Team
The term used for education after school. Includes Universities, colleges, Foundation courses and any further qualification after students leave school.
provides counselling and programme on careers advice and university choices in Year 12
Throughout the academic year, Teacher-Parent consultations include
Guiding Day
A single day has been set aside for an interview between the Tutor, student and parent in which recent PCC’s and available data are used to help the student reflect on their progress. The aim of the day is to provide an opportunity for students to set learning targets, discuss and plan their future and address any issues or concerns that they may have. Students are timetabled a 15-minute one-to-one interview with their tutor at an agreed time.
Appointments are made on the Booking System. Attendance at this interview is obligatory for students even if you are unable to attend.
Student Led Consultations
Every year group will have an annual student led consultation. This is an opportunity to have discussions between staff and students to facilitate the process of reviewing learning with the student. The meeting lasts for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Students lead the conversations and review their own progress with the tutor, subject teacher and parents. The subject teacher will discuss progress in relation to individual work or progress across a range of work.
Terms 1 - 3
Curriculum Evenings
Year
13
Careers and Higher Education Team
The term used for education after school. Includes Universities, colleges, Foundation courses and any further qualification after students leave school.
provides counselling for higher education and world of work application worldwide in Year 13provides counselling for higher education and world of work application worldwide in Year 13
Term 3
IB Exams and Coursework/Portfolio assessments
The SIS Journey is complete!