In Key Stage 3 which comprises Year 7, 8 and 9, are the years that students transition from the primary setting into option decisions for their International GCSEs. Add transitioning from a different learning environment to the next, and you start to see how important KS3 is; it truly starts to be recognised as the ‘formative’ stage of each student’s teenage life.
In this stage, we still follow the National Curriculum of England with modifications made to cater to the needs and diversity of the student population at EGIS. All Year 7 to Year 9 students are expected to study the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Geography, History, Computing/IT, Modern Foreign Language (French or German), Art & Design, Music, Physical Education, and General Science, all taught by specialist teachers in designated classrooms and learning areas. Professional development courses are regularly organised for teachers of different subjects.
Science is taught in a well-equipped laboratory and is designed to stimulate curiosity and develop investigative skills through an enquiry approach. Computer/IT is taught in the Computer Laboratory where each student has access to a computer. National subjects such as Arabic and Religion, Social Studies (Egyptian History & Geography) which are required by the Ministry of Education, are offered additionally to Egyptian students and others coming from any of the 22 Arab states. Arabic foreign language is also given to foreign students.
Throughout KS3, students are assessed through a mixture of formative and summative assessments. Summative assessments take the form of written essays, creative writing tasks and oral presentations or quizzes at the end of each unit, as well as, end of year examinations that assesses their overall progress over the course of the year. During the year, each topic is assessed formatively (homework tasks, class participation) and summatively with an end of topic test.
Key Stage 3 at EGIS is designed for students to be independent learners. The best way to encourage and support your child at this stage is to ensure that they have all their equipment and books with them every day—including their logbook, stationery and all books needed for the day. Check their logbook, as well as, Engage Portal regularly, to ensure that they are completing homework and that they are not having any issues (such as break detentions) in school. Encourage your child to take up co-curricular activities in school or outside, and contact your child’s Form Tutor if you have any concerns about your child’s attitude to school or progress.The Form Tutors report to the Head of Senior School and are responsible for monitoring and reporting on students’ academic progress, personal development and standards of behaviour. The form tutor plays a fundamental role in guiding each individual within his or her tutor group and is the first point of contact for teachers, parents and students. Form tutors instill the values and expectations of the school and contribute to the student’s social and academic development through daily morning registration, assembly time and individual discussion during one-to-one mentoring.
It is very important that your child attends EGIS every day and is punctual for school as many studies show the link between high attendance and high academic achievement. We understand that many international families travel to see family in their home countries during the holidays, but we kindly ask you to respect the term dates.
Some students may face additional challenges to their learning; they may have transferred from a different curriculum system; their prior schooling may have been affected by international travel or they may fall behind in their learning. These learners may arrange for one-to one-tuition. Some students may have significantly greater difficulty in accessing learning. Their learning difficulties may be addressed by short-term support or by providing strategies to progress in spite of it as well as, by provision of exam access arrangements according to the recommendations of an external specialist who must provide an assessment of Special Educational Needs.
Students from other curriculums, including the National Section, can transfer to the International British Section at any grade level until Year 9.
Towards the end of Year 9, students are required to take the iLowerSecondary exams in 3 core subjects: English, Maths and Science which are externally administered and marked in the UK. In order to progress to Year 10, student must pass in all 3 core subjects, failure in any one means the student may need to repeat the year.
During the Options Meeting organised by the school for Year 9 students and their parents, the students must choose their options for Years 10 and 11 where they will study IGCSEs, refining their learning experience to suit their own interests and goals.