From the Head of Secondary 04.12.2021
Choosing A Levels: The start of a Journey for Year 11
Thursday this week was an important day for our Year 11 students as they started the journey towards the next stage in their educational career. Online at 5pm, together with their parents, they attended the talk ‘A Level Options: Transition from Year 11 to Year 12’ where Mrs Colbeck presented vital information about the Sixth Form application process, how to choose subjects, and the scholarship programme. We also heard from past and present students who each gave their opinion about why staying at KIS for their A Levels has been a great choice for them, and what they had gained in a broader sense, with all that the school offers outside of the taught curriculum. As a school we offer a wide range of subjects which cater to our students’ plans for the future. We encourage each individual to spend serious time considering which subjects out of the 15 on offer are the right ones for them, narrowing it down to three or four. There is much to consider: future careers, university requirements at degree level, their personal preferences [which subjects have they enjoyed at IGCSE level] and their academic strengths. To help them decide, they can take a look at the subject videos which have been made by the teachers, and read the A Level Subject Brochure, all of which can be found on the school website. They can also talk to their teachers, to Mrs Colbeck, to myself and to their friends, family and to those Year 12 and 13 students who are ready and waiting to offer advice. Good luck to Year 11 as they move ahead to sit their IGCSE exams next May / June and prepare for the transition to the next stage.
Back to School: How has it been?
This week teachers met to consider how our Key Stage 3 students are progressing now that they have had a little time back in school. It is very clear that, as we thought, they have embraced the face – to – face busy, happy and challenging atmosphere of the ‘live’ classroom. Some students who struggled at times with online learning have, in the words of my colleagues, been ‘transformed’ in their lessons. Students who struggled to keep up or speak up online are now ‘amazing’ and clearly hugely enjoying being back in school. We will continue to monitor all of our students, and communicate with parents, to ensure that this progression continues.
Planning Ahead
Next week parents and students in Years 7, 12 and 13 will receive information about the online Teacher / Parent / Student meetings which will be held on Tuesday 11th January. This planning might seem rather early but we need to allow time for students to make appointments with their teachers before the Term break begins on the 17th December. We discovered last year that there is a lot to be said for holding these meetings online. Compared to having them in the school hall, we had greater parental involvement and of course we can maintain physical distance. Students will attend the meetings with their parents.
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary
