Stage 4

Stage 6 in the British International Curriculum marks a significant phase in a student’s academic journey, focusing on advanced learning and preparation for higher education or professional life. At this stage, students typically delve into a range of subjects, each designed to deepen their understanding, critical thinking skills, and subject-specific knowledge.

Curriculum: British International
Requirements: Completed Primary Stage 5 or an equivalent
Age group: 11 to 12 years of age
Language of instruction: English

Subjects

Stage 6 subjects aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits.

English

By Stage 6, pupils are expected to be proficient in English, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They will analyse texts, commenting on language and stylistic features and exploring their impact on the reader. This involves analyzing poetry and inferring the meaning of a poem.

In writing, pupils will learn to construct a balanced argument and present their opinions clearly and persuasively. They will also develop persuasive skills in spoken language, for instance, when expressing their viewpoint in a debate.

Pupils’ proficiency in Stage 6 English is assessed through checkpoint assessments, so it’s vital that they are confident in all aspects of the subject.

Mathematics

In Primary Stage 6 Mathematics, students embark on a dynamic journey filled with diverse lessons and activities carefully designed to enrich their mathematical learning experience. These activities are geared towards achieving a multitude of educational goals, placing a strong emphasis on nurturing robust mathematical language and communication skills.

Beyond simply solving mathematical problems, students are encouraged to express their solutions in a creative and thoughtful manner, fostering their ability to explore innovative mathematical concepts. Central to this curriculum is the cultivation of precision and confidence in applying mathematical abilities. Through structured learning experiences, students establish a solid foundation for their mathematical journey.

Moreover, the curriculum places significant emphasis on developing critical thinking skills within the realm of mathematics. Students are encouraged to approach problems from various angles, explore imaginative problem-solving techniques, and deepen their understanding of mathematical principles.

This subject offers a comprehensive mathematical education, equipping students not only to excel in the subject but also to develop a lasting appreciation for its elegance and logic. It sparks curiosity and fosters exploration, empowering students to evolve into skilled mathematical thinkers.

Science

In the Science Stage 6, students encounter a captivating array of lessons and activities meticulously crafted to nurture their natural curiosity and proficiency in scientific exploration. The activities within this course are carefully designed to spark inquiry, prompting students to ask thought-provoking questions, formulate precise predictions, engage in methodical investigations, and keenly observe their environment to gather compelling evidence.

Supplementary subjects

Note from Vene: Are there any and what are they?

Also, are there more official subjects?

Student preparation for Stage 6

Nobody is born with perfect organisational skills; they’re something that improves with practice. When tackling Stage 6, staying organised becomes important because there’s a lot more to juggle. So, it’s crucial for students to manage their time effectively. Try making daily to-do lists to keep track of what needs to be done, keep study notes neat and tidy in folders, and use a calendar to plan out study sessions. And don’t forget to schedule in some fun stuff too, to keep students feeling active and creative alongside all their studying!

Parental involvement for Stage 6 students

Parental involvement in online learning for 11- and 12-year-olds varies based on factors such as their level of independence. While some supervision and support are generally beneficial, including setting up a conducive study environment and providing assistance with technical issues and study skills, it’s also crucial to foster independence gradually. Parents also need to stay informed about their child’s progress by reading the weekly emailed reports sent to them by Think Digital Academy. Ultimately, finding the right balance involves considering the child’s needs and nurturing their independence.

How are parents kept informed?

Weekly e-mailed reports – A weekly report is mailed to the parent or the tutor of the student every Monday morning. This report details all of the student’s activity on the system during the preceding week. The report includes useful information such as which lessons the student has viewed, which have been completed, what scores were achieved in the lesson quizzes, how long the student spent on each lesson, etc.

Assessments and feedback – Assessments are completed once all the content for the term has been successfully completed and covered. Students in Stage 6 will receive instant feedback on their assessment once it has been completed and a copy of the assessment is emailed directly to the parent or tutor. This is a useful tool which enables parents/tutors to easily identify and remedy any areas of concern.

Support offered by Think Digital to students

Students who opt for the “With Tutor Support” option upon enrolment, will have access to a panel of online tutors on their dashboards. These tutors can be contacted between 8:00 and 16:30, Monday to Friday and will respond within 15 minutes. Tutors can be consulted for any content related or general questions. This does not include one on one virtual tutoring, but does include assistance via images, videos, additional resources or text explanation. All students can contact a panel of success coaches for any kind of assistance relating to their content or portal.

Stage 6 assessments

Stage 6 students write all assessments at home with a parent/facilitator as an invigilator four times a year.
Note from Vene: How often are Stage 6 students assessed? Four tines a year? Is there any detail we can add? For example is it an exam or multiple choice, etc?

Equipment and supplies needed

All you require is a laptop/tablet, wi-fi/data, a few exercise books or exam pads and stationery to take notes and make summaries. Students use on average 3 gigs of data per month.

There is no need to purchase any textbooks. As soon as you enrol, you receive instant access to all your content online, including interactive lessons, study notes, assessments and other resources.

Stage 6 school fees

2024 Fees
Without tutor support: R 7 900 per year or R 1 316 (monthly installment x 6)
With tutor support: R 9 150 per year or R 1 525 (monthly installment x 6)

Supplementary subjects
R1 750 per subject per year (without tutor support)
R1 750 per subject per year (with tutor support)

Students are free to join us all year round and will have access to the full year’s content.

Enrol for Term 2 and receive 10% off your fees. The discount is automatically applied on checkout.

British International Curriculum – Stage 6 overview

Stage 6 students are only required to take seven subjects. The advantage of taking less subjects and doing a more “focused” study, is that students have more time to invest in their chosen subjects and they are explored in more depth.

All British International students are free to complete the year’s curriculum at their own pace. This leaves plenty of opportunity for integrating learning objectives into other learning experiences.

Although testing is required within the British International curriculum, the approach is rather different. Assessed projects are not encouraged at all for Stage 6, with emphasis being placed on progression. Only four assessments per year are required. This leaves much more time for learning.

British International students are introduced to Science from stage 1. In the British International syllabus, English is centred around developing language, reading and writing skills while Maths covers more content in the curriculum.

Developmental milestones during Stage 6

Children aged 11 to 12 years begin a transition from childhood to adolescence, during which they develop enhanced decision-making skills, begin to resist physical affection from parents, forge strong and intricate friendships, explore their identity through choices in hairstyle, clothing, hobbies, and friendships, and devote more time to their interests.

How parents can support this age group
Navigating years 11 and 12 with your child can be a bit of a balancing act. This period marks their journey towards independence, as they start making bigger decisions and taking more responsibility for their actions. As a parent, your role is crucial in providing support during this time, but it’s also important to find a balance. Encourage your kids to take charge of their studies while maintaining a healthy balance of activities. Keeping organised with a central timetable and encouraging physical activity can help manage stress. Emphasise the importance of sleep and nutritious eating habits, and stay informed about your child’s online school progress. While technology can be a valuable tool, moderation is key to prevent distractions during study sessions. Above all, stay positive and offer words of encouragement to keep them motivated and confident during this challenging period.

Additional resources

Student Forum – The Forum allows students to interact virtually with other students in their stage. Students are able to communicate in real-time, on their portals.

Online social clubs – Students have the opportunity to join live social clubs and learn a new hobby. These clubs will take place during “after school” hours and can be joined by anyone!

Reading Room – A wide variety of short stories are available for downloading and reading.