Modified Cambridge Curriculum for Secondary Grades 6 to 8
Secondary school is a time of transition for our learners, where they have to learn to navigate new classes, teachers and social situations, exercise greater responsibility, enjoy more independence, and gradually prepare for the academic rigour of the Cambridge IGCSE Grades 9 and 10.
To ease this transition into Lower Secondary and support our students, we have designed a unique modified Cambridge curriculum for Grades 6 to 8. This is based on the Cambridge Lower Secondary framework provided by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and has been adapted to suit our international context. In this programme, we continue to leverage the learner profile and the inquiry-based learning approach of our IB programmes and have balanced it with the Cambridge syllabus and skill-set.
This programme is offered at both our campuses – OWIS Nanyang in Jurong and OWIS Digital Campus in Punggol.
Secondary School Subjects
Designed as a bridge to the Cambridge IGCSEs in Grades 9 and 10, the modified Cambridge curriculum in our Lower Secondary Grades 6 to 8 provides the following subjects for your child:
Subjects in Modified Cambridge Curriculum for Grades 6 to 8
English
Maths
Science
Chinese/French/Spanish
Computing
Global Perspectives
Art
Drama
Music
PE
PHSE Education
Pastoral Care
We establish a strong rapport with our Secondary School students through our Pastoral Care Programme. Our students begin the school day meeting with their form tutors, who set the tone for the day by modelling our school’s core values of kindness and respect for others. They provide a listening ear and create an atmosphere in which students feel safe.
During this time, they conduct sessions on PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education and wellness-related activities. They also discuss issues related to stress, identity, friendships and students’ overall well-being.
Student-Centric Approach
Our small class sizes allow teachers to support Secondary students with a personalised approach, so they are able to expand their knowledge at their own pace. This is particularly useful for students who join in the middle of the year or from another curriculum in another country.
Learning is student-driven and technology-enabled, and your child will be encouraged to exercise their own agency in choosing topics that interest them and are aligned with their future goals. Through this approach, we are also able to hone the life skills associated with the IB Learner Profile.
Secondary Student Council and House Captains
The OWIS Student Council is composed of elected Secondary students. They are encouraged to lead school events, conceptualise and undertake service projects, and act as role models within the school.
Selected Secondary students are also given leadership roles as House Captains of our four houses – Acacia, Wisteria, Flame and Willow. As House Captains, they organise house meetings, motivate other members of the house and lead by example. They hone leadership skills that last them a lifetime.
Engaging Student Life
Our focus is on the holistic development of our Secondary students and not just academic outcomes. We offer an exciting programme of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) and residentials, where our learners can develop new interests, talents and passions. Our House Competitions are adrenaline-filled events, and students learn the values of sportsmanship and teamwork. We also encourage student agency through clubs and societies, where learners who share common interests with others can hone their skills in a collaborative environment.
