Key Stage 3 comprises Years 7 to 9, the first three years of secondary education. This is a critical time in a child’s life, as he or she adapts to the transition from primary to secondary education. There are many differences to accommodate, not least the change from a small number of teachers taking a child’s lessons to a situation where virtually every subject has a different teacher. However, these changes should not be seen as problems, as regrettably much of the jargon of “educationalists” would have it, but as opportunities. Starting secondary school should be a time of excitement, of adventure, a sign that a child is moving into adolescence, the path to adulthood.
All our students follow the same curriculum in Key Stage 3. This is to ensure that they all develop a competence in and sound understanding of a range of subjects that will allow them to make sensible decisions about the options they will follow when they reach Year 10 and their GCSE courses. We also believe that the subjects they take will give them some understanding, in a basic way, of how they operate at a more advanced level, even if they give them up at the end of Year 9.
The “core” subjects of mathematics, English and science enjoy a slightly larger share of a student’s time in Key Stage 3 than other individual subjects. Together these three fundamental subjects take up 45% of a student’s class time. Thereafter breadth is maintained. Geography and history continue to provide a sense of anchorage across place and time. Linguistic skills are developed through the continuing study of Arabic and French or Spanish. Proper attention is given to students’ creative capabilities in art, design technology and music. PE and games offer opportunities and guidance towards developing the fitness and health which are essential to well-being. There is also the chance to consider some general issues about the challenges of growing up in Personal, Health and Social Education (PHSE). IT lessons continue the development of skills of electronic communication and presentation.
Most children will enter puberty during Key Stage 3. They have to deal with the changes they will experience as they go through this part of their personal development. We aim to ensure that they are provided with high quality pastoral care to help them chart these particular waters.
Year 7 can be characterised as the year in which students “learn to learn” for their time in secondary education. Year 8 is a time of “consolidation and development” and Year 9, the year in which students choose those subjects which are optional at GCSE, is a time for “making sensible choices”, not just of particular subjects, but of attitudes which will have a profound impact on the rest of their teenage years in school.
