Curriculum S1/S2
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All pupils in S1 and S2 follow a common course. There are 29 lessons each week. The subjects studied and the time allocated to each of them are noted below. Each lesson is 55 minutes long. The curriculum is based on national guidelines and is kept under continual review. Subject Lessons per week:
Pupils will be allocated to a class and a House. For Tutor Group time in the morning pupils will be given their House name with a letter e.g. Dingieshowe-A or Waulkmill-D. They will also be given a lettered class e.g. 1D or 1W(1) for all subjects. It is school policy to keep numbers in each class in S1 and S2 as low as possible in order that pupils have the maximum opportunity to establish confidence and sound learning and study habits in the early years of secondary school. In order to reinforce the learning and study skills necessary for success, all S1 pupils follow a Learning Skills course during the first few weeks of their time in secondary school. This course is taught during part of Pastoral Care time. Skills are reinforced in class work. Pastoral Care time provides an opportunity for a weekly meeting between Pastoral CareTeachers and their pupils in each year group. Part of this time is used for a planned programme of Personal and Social Education covering such things as codes of conduct, leisure, homework and study skills, health issues, self-esteem and self-awareness, subject choices and careers information. How are classes made up when pupils enter S1? In constructing classes we take several factors into account. First of all, it is important to remember that pupils come to us in first year from thirteen or more separate primary schools. We try to ensure that there will be at least one or two pupils in each first year class who are known to each other from primary school. In this respect we take fully into account comments received from primary schools and, of course, from parents. We also try to ensure that there will be a reasonable cross-section of pupils coming from larger and smaller primary schools. Within any one class, we try to include a reasonably wide range of academic ability as well. Staff at the Grammar School are well aware that all pupils have different needs, both socially and academically and as far as possible these different needs are taken into account in S1 and S2 courses. How does KGS cater for pupils who are more able or who are experiencing difficulty in specific subjects? As indicated above, teachers try to construct their courses in S1 and S2 so that the most able pupils are challenged and pupils experiencing difficulty are catered for as well. The school is fortunate in having a skilled and effective Curriculum Support team, a group of teachers who work together with class teachers to provide support for pupils experiencing difficulty with individual subjects. The Curriculum Support department is increasingly involved with subject departments when materials are initially being prepared for courses. In this way the needs of all pupils can be catered for adequately from the outset. Where parents feel that there are matters relating to any of these issues with which they are unhappy, you are invited to contact your child's Pastoral Care teacher in the first instance to discuss the problem.
Homework in S1 and S2 - A Guide for Parents Homework is integral to the majority of courses at Kirkwall Grammar School. Its most important purposes are:
How you can help
How much help should you give? It is often difficult as a parent to draw the line between offering assistance and actually doing part of the task for the youngster. The types of difficulties children meet will vary considerably but as a general rule the emphasis should be on support and encouragement. Some ways in which you might do this are:
If, despite help, your children are unable to cope with homework assignments, it is vital that you let us know. Should you wish to discuss any other aspects of homework, please do not hesitate to contact your child's Pastoral Care teacher or Year Head. |