Parents guide to KS3

Key stage 3 is the name given to the first three years of secondary education (Years 7, 8 and 9), for children 11 to 14 years old.

It is a three year course in the following subjects:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • Design and Technology
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  • History
  • Geography
  • Modern Foreign Languages
  • Art and Design
  • Music
  • Citizenship
  • Physical Education

At the end of the three years, students take SATs examinations in English, Maths and Science. Just as in Key stage 2, students will be awarded levels for these. This time, they can be between 2 and 8. These show how the child is progressing compared with all other children studying the National Curriculum.

It is a different approach from that in Key Stage 2. Children are in forms (at the ICT there are two forms in each year), but move around the school to study each subject. They will find many differences between subjects and teachers, and will need to get used to them all - a big change from the small team teaching them in Year 6. However, one teacher will see them every day, and get to know each child very well. This is their form tutor, an experienced and qualified member of the teaching team, who will monitor attendance, progress, and behaviour. They will know which subjects the child is succeeding in, and will be watching for problems before they become serious; if a child misbehaves, the tutor will find out why. This pastoral care is managed by the Key Stage 3 coordinator, Mr Beresford.

Children need to start taking responsibility for their learning; each classroom will be a different environment, and some will be more challenging, others will be more fun. Some of the subjects will have been covered before, but in less detail. For example, in science, students will need to use language precisely (e.g. the difference between mass and weight). Students will have to learn to keep their work organised and up to date; there will be homework exercises in each subject each week, too. All this written material needs to be kept, because it is not repeated in detail, and the SATs exams in Year 9 cover three years’ study. In most subjects, all students in a class study together and work will be set for all levels of ability. However, sometimes the classes will be rearranged into “sets”, which are classes divided by ability. When there is a large range of ability, this enables the most able to progress fast whilst slower learners can be given more time and attention.

At the ICS, we try to make these years stimulating, interesting and fun. Each year, exams will measure students’ progress in all subjects, supported by marks for coursework and homework. Ideally, each year will see a rise of about one level, but some children’s levels will rise and fall, perhaps as their attitude changes or as they get used to the demands of each subject. Rest assured that these attainments will be monitored closely, and that the teaching team will work with children and parents to ensure the best progress possible.