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BENGHAZI EUROPEAN SCHOOL
PUTTING YOU IN THE PICTURE
A STUDENT AND PARENT GUIDE TO:
KEY STAGE 3 AND INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (IGCSE) PROGRAMMES
2005-2006
THE PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE IS TO PUT PROSPECTIVE PARENTS IN THE PICTURE ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER IN TERMS OF EXTERNALLY MODERATED EXAMS AT THE EUROPEAN SCHOOL.
KS3 SATS
At the Benghazi European School we are very conscious that we serve a community requiring an international education. For this reason we offer our students an education which will equip them to enter the world of Higher Education anywhere in the world. We are, first and foremost, an International Baccalaureate MYP approved school and we are justifiably proud of this. Using the MYP as our framework, we also offer KS3 SATS in Levels 1-3 and, leading on from these, IGCSE at the end of Level 5. These exams are also a continuation of the system used by our sister school, the British School of Benghazi.
In many parts of the world, the examinations taken at the end of Level 3 or its equivalent, are, in fact, viewed on the level of ‘rites of passage’ in a child’s life: they are defining moments by which much that happens before or after is measured. For many international students, a lot rides on them too: a coveted University place, or entrance into the training course to follow the career a child has always dreamed of.
Using the philosophy and framework of the MYP, our curricula at the Benghazi European School prepare our students for these externally moderated exams. What follows in this guide is a look at what the exams consist of and what the exam ‘means’ to the child and the future of his/her academic career.
KEY STAGE THREE STANDARD ASSESSMENT TESTS ( SATS )
Tests at the end of Levels One and Two (ages 11 and 12 approximately) are OPTIONAL and are widely seen as very useful preparation for the KS3 SATs, designed to measure a child’s progress in the first three years of Secondary school. As the abbreviation indicates, these are taken at the end of Level 3, i.e. three years into Secondary education. As well as sitting externally set and moderated papers in English, Maths and Science, teachers will also prepare internally set papers in all other subjects offered on the school curriculum.
WHAT IS COVERED IN THE SATs?
· ENGLISH: Reading, writing; a Shakespeare play.
· MATHEMATICS: Algebra, handling data, measuring, number, shape and space, mental arithmetic.
· SCIENCE: Physics, Biology and Chemistry.
LEVELS
As for MYP, SATs exams are scored on a scale of 1-7 with Level 5 being the average.
WHEN ARE THE SATs TAKEN?
The SATs exams are usually in the first week of May.
WHAT’S IN THE ENGLISH TEST?
In the reading paper, students will be asked to read three short texts and answer a range of questions, some requiring short answers, some a longer response.
In the writing paper, students will choose writing tasks that require them to write continuous pieces, fiction or non-fiction.
In the Shakespeare paper, there are reading tasks which test students’ ability to understand and write in detail about printed extracts from scenes from the Shakespeare play they studied.
To get level 5 or above in English, a student should be able to:
· use commas, speech marks and apostrophes accurately;
· use paragraphs;
· spell some difficult words correctly;
· use some complex (longer and more detailed/descriptive) sentences;
· use a wide range of vocabulary;
· give reasons and explanations, backed up by evidence, in his/her answers.
WHAT’S IN THE MATHEMATICS TESTS?
Each of the papers tests the whole mathematics curriculum: number, algebra, shape, space and measures, and handling data.
In the mental mathematics test students need to be able to recall and use number facts.
Paper 1 is a non-calculator examination, so students need reliable methods for mental and written calculations.
Students can use a calculator on Paper 2.
To get a 5 or above in mathematics, students should be able to:
· complete calculations correctly, clearly showing appropriate working;
· give reasons and explanations to back up their answers;
· use units correctly;
· use correct mathematical notation when setting out their work.
WHAT’S IN THE SCIENCE TESTS?
There are two very similar test papers. Both include a range of questions and cover similar subject material. The two papers allow a full range of science topics to be covered.
To get a 5 or above in science, students should be able to:
· describe how to use equipment accurately and safely;
· accurately read results from pictures or graphs, and use units, such as g or cm, correctly;
· draw reasonable conclusions from data or evidence, and give sensible explanations for them;
· remember a range of scientific ideas and apply them to unfamiliar situations – for example, to interpret a food web, to identify an unfamiliar chemical, or to recognise forces in a different situation.
IGCSE EDEXCEL EXAMINATIONS
The Benghazi European School is now also an approved centre for the London International Examinations. We are very proud to have been approved by such an internationally recognised organisation.
WHAT IS EDEXCEL?
Edexcel is the UK’s largest academic qualifications awarding body.
It was formed in 1996 by the merger of two well-respected bodies, BTEC (the Business and Technology Education Council), and ULEAC (the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council).
In 2003, Edexcel merged with the education giant, Pearson PLC, to set up a new company called Edexcel Limited, which is 75% owned by Pearson and 25% by the Edexcel Foundation.
London Examinations have been offered since 1838. As educational methods and outlooks have changed in the last 150 years, so the need has arisen to develop new qualifications that give international students the opportunity to follow the very latest best practice. This will prepare them for further education anywhere in the world as well as for future employment.
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a globally recognised qualification, taken at the end of Level 5. The programme of work for any given subject is the same as that covered for the MYP. However, unlike the MYP programme, all aspects of the IGCSE are externally moderated. Our students are prepared for both systems.
WHAT DOES IGCSE OFFER STUDENTS?
Like all modern programmes, IGCSE offers a wide range of subjects and encourages high academic standards. The assessment is aimed at a wide ability range of students, with an eight-point grading scale, from A* to G, with A* being the very highest band. The C/D borderline is an important one and Universities, for example, will not accept less than C grades. For entrance to UK universities, generally 5 subject passes at a minimum of grade c are required.
N.B. After examination at age 16, (end of Level 5), students move on to the final one or two years of schooling and follow the next level of courses – Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level. Generally, UK universities 2 to 3 A Level or between 4 to 6 AS level passes.
IGCSE Examinations are taken in May/June.
WHY SHOULD STUDENTS DO BOTH MYP AND IGCSE?
· The more qualifications a student has, the more attractive he/she is to future educational institutions and employers;
· Some Universities are more comfortable with 100% externally controlled moderation of students work;
· The IGCSE is one of the most sought- after and recognised qualifications in the world. It is well-known to develop and encourage vital educational skills, including oral skills, investigative skills, problem solving, team work, recall of knowledge, and initiative.
· The IGCSE programme has worldwide status and credibility. It is delivered in schools in over 140 countries and is recognised by Colleges and Universities everywhere.
· The IGCSE, like the MYP, encourages a balanced curriculum and lends an international perspective to studies.
· Certification is recognised everywhere in the world.
WHAT MUST STUDENTS DO TO GET THE BEST RESULTS?
· Try to enjoy what they are learning and ask all the questions they need to!
· Identify areas for improvement and spend time practising techniques to improve them – work on weaknesses rather than revising things they are already good at.
· Complete all homework carefully and promptly.
· Listen carefully in class.
· Make a personal list of aspects of a subject you find hard, and learn them.
· Complete extra Practice Papers available from the teachers and use the marking criteria to mark personal work.
· Work on writing to a set time – practice makes perfect!
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP OUT?
· Encourage your child’s learning by asking them questions to test their understanding.
· Take an interest in what your child is learning – ask him/her to explain it to you. They will learn more by teaching it to someone!
· Listen to them read their work out loud.
· Help your child learn a new descriptive word, a formula, a definition a day and use it round the house.
· Watch a film together connected to some aspect of their work. You might enjoy it!
· Help work through revision guides.
· Work through past papers with your child – ask them to explain their answers to you.
· Help them to enjoy! Offer lot of praise – boost their confidence, some students are very nervous and lacking in confidence.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SECONDARY EDUCATION AT THE BENGHAZI EUROPEAN SCHOOL (THE BRITISH SCHOOL'S PARTNER SCHOOL) THEN YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATION ON :
+ 218 61 223 3188 Ext: 102 or +218 61 222 8844 Ext 105
Universities/Colleges/Distance and On-Line Education
WWW.BBC.CO.UK/EDUCATION/BITESIZE
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