Subjectbased Banding Canossa Convent Primary What is SubjectBased

Subject-based Banding Canossa Convent Primary

What is Subject-Based Banding (SBB) • Pupils do subjects at the levels that best meet their abilities • No EM 1, EM 2 or EM 3 classes

Why Subject-based Banding? • Pupils have different abilities in different subjects • To enable pupils to study their strong subjects to the highest level possible • NOT INTENDED to provide a softer option • To encourage greater interaction among pupils with different strengths and abilities

How does Subject-based Banding work?

How does Subject-based Banding work? Passes all 4 subjects and obtains Band 1 in MT

How does Subject-based Banding work?

Subjects at P 5 English Offered at standard and foundation levels Mathematics Offered at standard and foundation levels Science Offered at standard and foundation levels Mother Tongue Offered at higher, standard and foundation levels

Some Guiding Principles • The school will have the best interest of each child in mind • The school will proceed on the basis of the `best fit’ for each child • All pupils will be encouraged to stretch themselves for the more challenging subject combinations instead of taking a perceived easy way out if they are able to do so

Selection Criteria • Progression to P 5 will be based on the overall performance in 4 subjects: English, Maths, Science and Mother Tongue (where applicable) CA 1 CA 2 SA 1 SA 2 Total 15% 20% 50% 100%

Subject Combinations Combination Criteria HMT Std EL Std Ma Std Sc For strong to very strong pupils with strength in MTL Std EL Std Ma Std Sc Fd MT A very small minority-For those who have shown a consistent pattern of struggling with MT despite best effort Std EL Std Ma Std Sc Std MT The majority of the cohort Strong to very strong pupils Std EL Std MT Std Sc Fd Math A very small minority-For those who have shown a consistent pattern of struggling with Math despite best effort Fd Math Fd Sc Fd MT Std EL A minority - For those who show a high capacity in EL even though they struggle with the other subjects Fd EL Fd Ma Fd Sc Std MT Weak pupils with strength in 1 specific subject Fd EL Fd Ma Fd Sc Fd MT Weak Pupils

Allocation of course Criteria Combination Pass 4 subjects + Band 1 MT 4 S+HMT Pass 3 or 4 subjects 4 S Pass 2 subjects but all scoring 35 & above 4 S Pass 2 subjects but MT/Maths scoring <29 3 S + BMT/FMa Pass EL/MT only EL/MT + 3 F Fail all 4 F

Selection Criteria • Pass mark – 50 marks • Importance of EL • Importance of Mathematics

At the End of P 4… • School makes recommendation for a subject combination • Parents have the option to accept the school’s recommendation or proceed with their own choice

At the end of P 5… • School will choose Criteria Pass 1 subject Decision Continue with P 5 subject combination to P 6 Fail all subjects 4 foundation subjects at P 6 Pass HMT and get Band Continue with HMT at P 6 2 for MT

Upgrading • The school will allow upgrades at the end of P 5 based on the following: Criteria Decision Band 1 for any one foundation subjects (85% and better) Band 1 for 3 or more foundation subjects (85% and better) Upgrade to standard level at P 6 for the subject Upgrade to 4 standard subjects but has to repeat P 5

Important Dates Date Events 4 – 20 Aug CA 2 Examinations 17 - 18 Sep Oral Examinations 3 Oct, 13 Oct, 23 -24 Oct, SA 2 Examinations 29 -30 Oct November Exercise of Options

Help! How Shall I Choose? • Understand the abilities and needs of your child • Understand the scoring system for PSLE • Understand the future pathways for your child (e. g. to qualify for polytechnic education, a pass in Mathematics at `O’ levels is needed)

How will PSLE scores be calculated? • The PSLE scoring system remains unchanged • The raw mark for each subject is converted to a transformed score (T-score) – The T-score reflects the pupils’ standing relative to other pupils on a common scale – The Aggregate Score is the sum of the Tscore in all subjects – Each subject carries equal weighting

How will PSLE scores be calculated? • The PSLE score takes into account the – content and demand of each subject – number of subjects taken

We CARE for each of our pupils • We will proceed in the best interest of every child • We will review cases at the margins carefully and ensure that we always give our pupils a more challenging combination so they can stretch • We will work with parents to ensure you understand the rationale of our recommendations

Let’s Work Together • Work together with us. Check first with teacher; don’t assume the worst • Insist on independence • Align values • Support our school rules • Child is to be punctual and to attend lessons unless there is a medical reason. – if away, pls call the office – Don’t come to school when sick

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