Our Key Stage 3 programme includes a balanced and varied curriculum that focuses on skill development for life-long learners who are not just prepared for external qualifications, but for the challenges of the world. Our KS3 curriculum is designed to provide every single pupil with the skills they need to succeed.

The compulsory National Curriculum for England subjects are: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, Design & Technology, Art and Design. Music, Physical Education and Computing. In addition, Arabic, Islamic Education, Moral Studies and Social Studies are included as per Ministry of Education requirements.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) is an IQ assessment to help students and their teachers understand their academic potential based on how each student thinks. CAT4 provides us with a guide to objectives; generating targets per subject for the end of Key Stage 3 and GCSE. We use these targets as a starting point for students to outperform. At this point teachers will raise the target grades to reflect the student’s accelerated performance.

At Jumeirah College, we ensure that homework is set to a manageable level, whilst still giving teachers the flexibility to set what is purposeful and appropriate.

KS3 Homework is set to be purposeful and must support:

• Independent learning
• Extending learning
• Consolidating learning
• Informed and involved parents
• Lesson preparation
• Manageable demands

No homework is set for the following day, unless for preparation purposes and all homework is provided with feedback by a peer or teacher.

The National Curriculum and exam specifications are largely content driven, but lifelong learning skills are the primary purpose of an effective education system.

Our Learning Skills programme focuses on our areas of strength, and those for development, using a cohesive approach and collective language. Developed using IB ATL Skills and our own JC Skills, we promote these in a subtle but impactful way; embedding the attributes inherently in to KS3 learning.

The Jumeirah College careers programme enables students to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make confident, informed and reasoned decisions about their future. During KS3, students write careers letters to their future selves, participate in ‘Go to Work with a Parent’ Day and undergo a sequence of events, including careers and options evenings.

Jumeirah College provides presentations from a range of industry professionals in preparation for GCSE and Sixth Form. KS3 students also research career ideas, select potential Higher Education institutions and learn to write personal statements.

Our enriched activity programme has expanded, with staff bringing their own skills and talents to an already wide and varied list of activities. Through these activities, JC students learn new skills, build on existing ones and interact with students and staff in a different environment. All students participate in at least two clubs or activities each term.

Currently, sports ECAs include Netball, Rugby, Badminton, Swimming, Running, Cricket, Football, Athletics, Table Tennis, Duathlon, Tennis, Trampolining and Crossfit.

Non-sport ECAs include Technology, Media, French, Poetry, Singing, Model United Nations, Orchestra, Art, Digital Art, Drama, Photography, Dance, Reading, Textiles, Spanish, Maths, Science, Arabic, Rock Climbing, Debating, Sailing and Pilates.

Yes. We baseline test in Year 7 and beyond that the sets are adjusted based on continuous Teacher assessment.

Yes both physical and digital. There is also a separate workbook focused on problem solving exercises.

Yes, as per the college policy. Once a week, set online. Optional revision homework may also be set by the teacher.

No. We no longer offer the early entry GCSE. For several reasons. However, the more capable mathematicians are enriched in their learning and access more challenging problems or go deeper into certain topics. This approach is designed to better prepare students for A Level. We are currently researching a qualification to sit alongside the GCSE Mathematics for these most able students.

Not in Year 7, but yes in Years 8-11.

Yes online. Kerboodle provides access to textbooks alongside an online learning platform

Yes, as per the college policy. Plus there is always additional work available via Google Classroom.

No. There is an entry requirement of a 7b at the end of KS3. The majority of our students exceed a 7b.

Yes. Published for the KS3 in Year 7.

No.

No. There are class readers for all students, selected by the subject teacher, therefore not common to all. These are physical fiction texts.

Yes, as per the college policy. Generally fortnightly. Reading is an additional expectation.

Assessments are communicated beforehand and preparation is done in lessons.

Read with them. Fiction and non-fiction. Look for meaning. Look beyond the surface features. Analyse the value of media.