This document provides information about Years 7-9 at BISB school. It outlines the subjects and curriculum taught in those years, including the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) which takes a skills-based, integrated approach. It describes the organization of classes, equipment needed, uniform requirements, extracurricular opportunities, and contacts for various issues. Transition support for students includes monitoring, mentoring, focus on organization skills, and social activities.

1. Years 7, 8 and 9 at BISB

2. How do Years 7 - 9 fit in?
KS2 Years 3 – 6
Transition from class based to subject based learning
KS3 Years 7 – 9
IGCSE Years 10 - 11
IB Diploma Years 12 – 13
Graduation – Class of 2022
College/University

3. • Art
• English
• Geography
• History
• Computing
• IMYC time for study and organization skills
• Maths
• Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish, or
Heritage)
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Physical Education
• Science

4. What is the IMYC?
• International Middle Years Curriculum
• Integrated curriculum
• ‘Big idea’ is studied across many subjects e.g.
Things are more stable when different
elements are in the correct or best possible
proportions.
• Skills based
• Entry and exit points brings all subjects
together

5. The 5 Big Ideas in Year 7
1. Formal arrangements and relationships (structures)
underpin or give organization to complex issues.
2. Things are more stable when different elements are
in the correct or best possible proportions.
3. Finding out new things is a human driver and affects
things for better and worse.
4. Progress involves exposing ourselves to, and
considering the impact of, forms of danger, harm,
uncertainty or opportunity.
5. Innovation happens when existing ideas are
brought together or expressed in a new way.

6. Photos of Entry and Exit Points:

7. Example timetable:

8. Organization of learning:
• Students will be in their mixed ability classes for
most of their subjects, although they will be in
sets for MFL and Maths. In Science the students
are organized according to learning styles.
• They will remain with their class during mentor
time so that their mentor can keep track of the
work set for the class as well as any other issues
that might arise
• The classes are named London and New Orleans.
These will be confirmed during the summer.

9. Equipment:
• Please pick up a Stationery List listing the
requirements for students in Year 7
• We will print school Communication Journals
and sell them through the school office
• These will reinforce our school values and
behavior policy.

11. BYOD:
• Will operate on an optional basis between
September and December, and become a
requirement that students have their own device
in school, fully charged, in every lesson, every day
from January 2016.
• We would like to emphasize the fact that we will
never expect laptops to be used for every
lesson; our goal is to blend traditional teaching
methods with new and exciting technological
developments which benefit learning for all.

12. Uniform:
Winter Uniform Summer Uniform
White Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt White Short Sleeve Oxford Shirt
Navy Sweater (optional) Navy/Red Stripe Tie
Navy/Red Stripe Tie Navy Blazer
Navy Blazer Khaki Chinos or skirt
Khaki Chinos or skirt Black Belt
Black Belt Navy Socks
Navy Socks Black Dress Shoes
Black Dress Shoes
Please note:
• Merrells do not count as dress shoes
• Please purchase uniform from Lands End.

13. Trips:
• Day trips for IMYC Entry Points
• Student Council and Committee trips (e.g.
service based trips)
• Community Service Day
• Model UN events (usually on Saturdays)
• Ski trip (Martin Luther King weekend)
• Washington DC trip (Monday – Friday in June)

15. Clubs:
• Middle School Athletics - soccer, cross country,
swimming, basketball, curling, rowing
• Other clubs - Model UN, Duke of Edinburgh
(for Year 9 only), debating, production, choir,
cheerleading.

16. Who to contact?
Issue First port of
call
Second Third
Absence, lateness, change
to club or pick up
arrangements
Mentor and main
office
Head of Middle
School
Deputy Head
Homework or organization
as a big picture issue
Mentor Head of Middle
School
Deputy Head
Homework, marking,
assessment or school trip in
a particular subject
Subject teacher Head of Middle
School
Deputy Head
Concern about a big picture
learning issue
Additional Learning
Needs Coordinator
Head of Middle
School
Deputy Head
Social issue or other
concern
Head of Middle
School
Deputy Head Headmaster

17. PTCs
• Parent Teacher Conferences are organized
differently from Year 7 up because they
involve meeting with so many teachers; often
compared with speed dating!
• The website is used for signing up and you
then have the option to book separate
appointments with each teacher for five or
ten minute slots.
• PTCs are usually held in the Rainbow Hall with
each teacher sitting at a separate desk.

18. Friendships

19. How will we help students transition?
• Ongoing monitoring and tracking of progress
• Year 7 mentor group with specialist Middle School
mentors
• Planner, behavior policy and organization
• Lockers
• Homework timetable
• IMYC timetabled slot for organization and SEAL
(social and emotional aspects of learning)
• PTCs
• Socials
• Curriculum – IMYC (including entry and exit points)

20. Questions?
• Please feel free to contact me or any of the
teachers before the end of term or during the
summer holidays with any questions.