Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 Subjects- Overview

Our Key Stage 3 courses are for students who typically are between the age of 11 to 14. At Visions High we recognize that students mature and progress and at different levels. We will consider gifted and talented students who are slightly below the age range as well as students who find schooling a challenge with respect to academics (although currently we do not provide support for special needs).

We cover the Key Stage 3 courses as covered by the National Curriculum with adjustments as required to meet the ethos of the school. For example, we will not teach Darwinism as something scientific or acceptable but tackle these concepts as we believe in the Quran and Sunnah.

The course is divided into three years- Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9. By the end of Year 9, students are expected to be in a position to start the Cambridge IGCSE examinations.

The role of the Teachers

Our teachers will be available for contact by email and through the online portal. Teachers will be primarily involved in the academic affairs of the students but students will have the opportunity to ask questions during the live teaching sessions. Teachers will also be there to pass any concerns to the administration.

The role of the Parents

We at Visions High understand that students who choose our school will do so for a variety of reasons. We also understand that parents have an important role to play to encourage and follow up with their children at this delicate age. This will include acting as a supporter, motivator friend and advisor.

Key Stage 3 English

Key Stage 3 English aims to give students the confidence to develop the essential skills in reading and writing as well as improve their communication skills. The National Curriculum aims to promote high standards of language and literacy by developing a love of literature and widespread reading for enjoyment. During this Key Stage, students are expected to:

• Read with accuracy and fluency
• Appreciate the cultural heritage of literature
• Be able to plan, draft and present their own written work clearly and coherently
• Be able to adapt their writing styles based on the range of contexts, purposes and audiences (e.g. narratives and expressing one’s opinions)
• Be able to participate in class discussions to develop the skills of arguing a case or presenting an opinion.
• Learn to analyse, review and comment on given texts.

Subject Content

Students will be exposed to a variety of text including fiction and non-fiction. This will include short stories, whole books, poems and plays with a wide coverage of genres, historical periods and authors as required by the National Curriculum.

The range of text will include established and well-known works from pre – 1914 and contemporary literature including, dramas, plays and poetry.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a subject that connects to the real world through real life situations in the sciences, technology, business and finance. Many daily transactions in Islam involve the use of mathematics. For example, the laws of inheritance, zakat as well as business transactions. Thus, Visions High believes in an integrated approach that allows the students to be exposed to important mathematical and Islamic concepts that naturally integrate together.

At Visions High, students will learn to solve increasingly complex problems through appropriate strategies. They will learn skills in number, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics. Among the topics covered are:

Number- Decimals, fractions, percentages and powers.

Algebra- interpreting algebraic notation, manipulating formulae, linear equations, sequences and generalizations.

Ratio- Using scale factors to draw appropriate enlargements and reductions; calculating quantities using ratio.

Geometry and Measures- be able to derive formulae related to geometric shapes; solve 2D shape problems; draw and measure shapes and angles using appropriate equipment; calculate properties of triangles.

Probability and Statistics- understand and use probabilities in real life situations; be able to draw tree diagrams, Venn diagrams and graphs; describe, interpret and compare data and graphs; construct and interpret appropriate charts, diagrams and tables.

Science

Students learn best when they can relate situations to real life. Science allows students to work together, cooperate with each other, listen to the ideas of others and offer suggestions of their own. Visions High hopes to instill an inquiry-based learning approach where students develop strategies, experiment and try out ideas. Students will be encouraged to use correct scientific terms to describe their work, present information and results in different ways: orally, in writing, through drawings, diagrams, tables and charts.

Subject Content

Key Stage 3 science focuses on developing a better understanding of a range of scientific ideas in biology, chemistry and physics. Topics will include:

Biology- the structure and function of living organisms, nutrition and health, ecosystems, genes and the DNA

Chemistry- properties and structures of atoms, the Periodic Table, states of matter, chemical substances, materials, the Earth and the atmosphere.

Physics- Energy, changes and transformations, motion and forces, electricity, and matter

Arabic Language

The Arabic Curriculum aims to help students to acquire and develop the skills in modern and classical Arabic language in reading, writing, speaking and listening and grammar.  The aim is to respect the Arabic language as it is the language that has been chosen by Allah to carry out the message of Islam.

The Arabic program is a 5-year program that starts at the very basic level for non-native speakers of Arabic and continues to the IGCSE level.  By the end of five years, (i.e. Year 11), students will be expected to reach a sufficient level of competency in the language so that they can:

• understand the patterns and meaning of written, audible, readable and spoken Arabic linguistic communication;
• write compositions with a wide variety of vocabulary;
• identify patterns and grammatical features of composition such as pronouns, gender, singular, plural and
• recognize relationships between words and sentences;
• enjoy reading as a means to remain connected with the world at large.

Islamic Studies

The Islamic Studies program is designed to link values and ethics to Islam. The program aims to instill in students the importance of the Quran and Hadith as a source of knowledge and the basis of sharia while understanding the role the student plays in the global society. Students will be taught:

• a deep love of Allah and a belief in Paradise and Hell, the Day of Judgement, Angels, Books and all prophets.
• a deep love of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by studying his biography;
• the value of worship: prayer, charity, Hajj, fasting in Ramadan;
• moral values and duties towards others: kindness to parents, relations, neighbors and Allah’s creatures;
• a familiarization of famous Islamic personalities in the Islamic era;
• a sense of belonging to the Islamic faith.
• critical thinking.

Character Education

Visions High has a deep commitment to instilling good character to all students as part of the foundation and basis of the Islamic faith. There are universally important ethical values such as respect, patience, responsibility, fairness, caring, courage, self-control, keeping promises and honesty. Pupils are taught that they must know that Allah is aware of everything they do, regardless of the presence or absence of a supervising adult.

Character means living by important core values – understanding them, caring about them and acting upon them. For Muslims, this is critical. At Andalus High, the Arabic and Islamic Studies departments will play a key role in teaching the Qur’an and Sunnah in context to the relevant school years.

Students will learn the following basic principles:

1. Your character, as a Muslim child, is defined by what you do, not just what you say or believe.
2. Every choice you make helps define the kind of Muslim you are trying to be.
3. Good character requires the right decision to be made, followed by the correct action.
4. You don’t have to take the worst behavior of others as a standard for yourself. You can choose to do better than that.
5. The payoff for a good character is that it makes you a better person and it makes the world a better place to live in.

Computing (IT)

At Key Stage 3, the IT course will focus on practical skills as well as computer safety and security. Throughout the course, students will be expected to undertake projects involving different applications. They will be expected to use several programming languages as well as knowing the basics of computer systems.

Students will be expected to have access to the internet as well as a computer to complete many of the tasks.

Geography

Geography is a fascinating subject that explores the world we live in through the study of the Earth’s physical features, people and environments. Students will be expected to develop key skills, knowledge and understanding in:

-the location of cities and countries with respect to the rest of the world with a look at populations, industries and environmental issues.

-the processes involved in plate tectonics, rocks, weathering and soils, weather and climate, glaciation and hydrology

-human relationships that affect the environment such as urbanization, international development, economic development in various sectors; and the use of natural resources.

History

History classes at Visions High will look deeply at the history of the United Kingdom to explore Britain’s past from earliest times to present day and how people’s lives have shaped the UK.

Students will also learn about ancient civilizations and empires in different parts of the world. They will also be expected to critically analyze historical events and understand methods of historical inquiry.

Citizenship (for UK Students)- Optional

The aim of this program is to acquire basic knowledge and understanding of the UK political system and how the country is governed. This will also include an understanding of the roles of the laws that govern the UK justice system and how these laws are shaped and enforced.

At Key Stage 3, students develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens within the UK system. Students learn about:

• Parliament and the monarch;
• The development of the political system including voting, elections and the political parties
• The UK justice system including the role of the police and the operation of the courts
• The role of voluntary groups
• The functions and uses of money and the importance of budgeting

Art (optional)

Art allows students to express themselves in many ways. We hope that the art curriculum inspires and challenges students; equipping them with knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own work of art.

Students will learn a range of techniques including sketching, painting and the media. Students will be encouraged to increase their knowledge of different materials as well as learn the historical and cultural art forms.

Food Technology- Food and Nutrition (optional)

Diet and health is an important part of our life that children need to focus on from a young age. Studying nutrition will help students to make better choices in their lives and hopefully encourage them to adapt and adopt healthier lifestyles.

Food and Nutrition is part of the Design and Technology curriculum. Students will learn how to cook a variety of dishes from many different cultures. More importantly, they will learn about the benefits of healthy eating and various methods of cooking.