Key Stage 3 – Years 7-9
Key Stage 3 is where our students learn the foundations of knowledge, skills and understanding that they need to become experts in their subjects in their subjects.
Key Stage 3 is as broad as we could make it, with students having the opportunity to study 14 different subjects. We apply the following principles when devising and constructing our Key Stage 3 curriculum.
- Key stages 3 and 4 are equally important and we do not devote staff resources to one at the expense of the other.
- We liaise with our feeder primary schools to identify what students have already learned, to ensure we do not repeat unnecessary content and keep the curriculum challenging and engaging. Download our transition curriculum analysis for 2018-19, based on research of our feeder schools, which shows the topics most and least covered by our feeder schools in the subjects of Maths, Science, English, History, Geography, RS ad Music.
- To challenge students and measure achievement in Key Stage 3, we have robust, standardised, externally set and moderated assessments alongside our own Assessment for Learning departmental tasks.
- We place equal emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
- Intervention (ie extra teaching for students who need it) is as important for Key Stage 3 is as for Key Stage 4. We track each student and each class for progress and put in place further support where required.
- We have subject specialists teaching in all classes at both key stages.
Students have 25 hours of lessons and an additional 45 minutes each day for Co-Curricular work which is delivered through our Form Time programmes.
Transition from Primary to Key Stage 3
The transition from primary to Key Stage 3 in secondary school is a big step and we do everything we can to make this as smooth as possible.
In addition to transition meetings for individual students who may require additional help with the transfer process, we have a clear plan for both parents and students to ensure support at every step.
The support we offer includes:
- Presentations at primary schools prior to your applications
- Prospective parents’ evening
- Morning drop-in sessions to see the academy during curriculum time
- Year 6 taster sessions
Once students have joined us
Once students have joined Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich and have started their first year with us, we also:
- Review information from the primary school for each student to ensure we have a full picture of their prior experience.
- Have a day just for Year 7 at the start of the autumn term, to enable them to become comfortable in their new environment
- Have extended break and lunch for Year 7 students in the first week
- Carry out baseline testing to ensure the correct support is given to every student relative to their learning needs
- Introduce students early on to hub leaders, including Assistant Principal, Directors and Behaviour for Learning Leaders
- Offer extra-curricular clubs to support individual students who may be finding the transition process unsettling
- Offer a Parental Support Evening covering topics such Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and Welfare
These are just some of the steps we put in place to try and ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary school. You can find more detail in our primary transfer map.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Daniel Azer directly at d.azer@harrisdulwichboys.org.uk. For new parents, we would also like to invite you to join our Parent Voice team.
