Key Stage 3

English is a core subject in Key Stage 3. Students will receive eight English lessons per week; these lessons will cover content aimed at improving comprehension skills, writing skills, speaking and listening skills and literature analysis. 

A variety of learning strategies, including visual and kinaesthetic, will be utilised to help students in their learning. These include interactive PowerPoint presentations, modelling strategies, group tasks and relevant educational videos. Students will be encouraged to deliver presentations in front of the class to enhance their oral skills. Moreover, they will be able to consolidate their learning by using engaging and enjoyable platforms such as Literacy Planet and Kahoot. Students will be able to access all learning resources and material on the Google Classroom Portal.  

There will be a special emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar in an effort to raise literacy levels across the Key Stage. We strongly advise all students to read privately on a daily basis; a library lesson has been allocated in the student timetable to promote reading and literacy. By the end of this programe, students will have the skill set to make the transition into Key Stage 4 successfully. 

Mathematics

The Key Stage 3 Mathematics programme is taught to our students over 3 years (Grades 6, 7 and 8 respectively). The course’s unique structure follows a mastery approach and this helps our students to nurture confidence, build fluency, improve problem‑solving skills and develop mathematical reasoning to fully prepare them for the transition to International GCSE and beyond.

The main textbook that we use, KS3 Maths Progress International, has been redesigned specifically for international students and provides seamless progression to Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics (9–1). Furthermore, it provides complete coverage of the Pearson Edexcel iLowerSecondary Award and the UK National Curriculum. To enhance the learning experiences of our students, we also use other resources such as the Student Workbook and Pearson’s lesson material which is accessible from the online platform Active Learn (www.pearsonactivelearn.com). In addition to this, students have access to learning platforms such as MathsWatch (vle.mathswatch.co.uk). Here, they can watch videos and attempt exam style questions to consolidate their learning.

Our students will gain lots of benefits by following this programme. This includes the following:

• Matched to the Pearson Edexcel iLowerSecondary curriculum and the UK National Curriculum so you can be sure you have all you need whatever curriculum you are following

• Developed to build the skills and knowledge needed to progress to International GCSE Mathematics (9–1) 

• Designed with the international student in mind and thereby containing content that is culturally appropriate, inclusive of international contexts and written in a manner that is relevant for EAL students

• Follows a mastery approach and unique unit structure that has been shown to be helpful in boosting confidence in mathematics.

​Science

​Our Key Stage 3 Science curriculum runs from Grade 6 to Grade 8 and it is designed to provide engaging lessons with a logical order of objectives. Our syllabus develops vital concepts and mastery goals to equip students with success and a smooth transition to Key Stage 4.  

At Ghars International School, we teach Science using an investigation-based approach in our fully equipped labs. The theoretical knowledge is taught using resources and activities that meet students’ abilities and aptitudes. We consolidate the learning with revision that includes PowerPoints, booklets, quizzes and past papers. Our sessions are interactive, interesting, practical and enjoyable, thereby motivating our students to learn.

A typical Science lesson focuses on deepening understanding of Science concepts, develops problem-solving and investigative skills and contains practicals, group work, research and presentations. We implement interactive and practical activities that develop learners’ skills and consolidate this by setting online homework with a range of support. Each lesson concludes with tracking learners’ progress and giving instant feedback on their work.

Our assessments are continuous, starting with assessing our students’ ability through baseline tests at the beginning of the year and checking their progress at key points such as end of unit and end of year. We identify strengths and weaknesses using baseline assessment result data and apply interventions where necessary, planning the next steps. We track students’ progress using Google Classroom and Active Learn tools, thereby allowing us to swiftly and conveniently create assessments that accompany the curriculum. Homework tasks are displayed on Google Classroom and Pearson Active Learn, with a mix of research, skills, theory, literacy and numeracy and revision for end of unit tests. Attainment at Key Stage 3 is demonstrated on the school assessment grid.

Join us at Ghars International School to experience our engaging and effective Science curriculum!

​Computing

​The Key Stage 3 ICT programme is taught to our students over three years (Grades 6, 7 and 8 respectively) and it adheres to the Oxford International Lower Secondary Computing series 7-9.

By completing this programme, our students will be able to develop the following skill set:

• understand how modern technology works
• use a wide range of computer hardware and software for analytical and creative tasks
• use the internet safely, respectfully and selectively
• write computer programs and develop computational thinking

The curriculum is centred on the concept of activity-based learning. In every lesson, therefore, our students will complete one or more tasks and they will be actively engaged with their own learning. A supplementary resource used in our teaching includes the Teach Computing programme provided by the National Centre for Computing Education which uses the latest pedagogical research (teachcomputing.org/curriculum/key-stage-3).

By the end of the programme, we expect our students to have a solid grounding in the use of technology to support learning and employment; they will be ready to participate as citizens in the digital world.