Uplands Year 7-9
Middle School Curriculum
2023-2024
"To be an international community that upholds the School’s values, nurturing its members to become globally minded citizens."
Respect for self, Respect for others
Respect. Inquiry. Collaboration. Balance. Resilience. Diversity. Integrity.
Introduction
Welcome to the International School of Penang (Uplands) Middle School Curriculum site. The purpose of this site is to:
Provide an overview of the Curriculum for students in Year 7-9
Share the ethos of the Middle School as part of our whole school learning and teaching pathway
Articulate our philosophy of effective learning and teaching in the Middle School as part of our whole school learning and teaching pathway
Outline our transition programme that supports students moving into Year 7
Highlight the opportunities that an education in our Middle School provides the students
An Introduction to our Middle School
Years 7 to 9
At The International School of Penang Middle School, we are committed to providing an international education that allows our students to experience a diverse and dynamic curriculum, whilst encouraging them to live by our motto: Respect for Self, Respect for Others. Therefore we are delighted to be an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme candidate school for Years 7 to 9 since August 2023. As we strive towards being an IB continuum school, our commitment to the philosophy and values of an IB education is becoming deeply embedded in our Middle School programme so we might provide a connected and consistent learning journey for all students.
The IB MYP is a framework that provides academic challenge and emphasises skill development and connecting learning to real-world contexts. Students are directed to transfer their skills between disciplines and see the interconnected nature of learning through inter-disciplinary units. The MYP articulates how to teach adolescent learners and "what" we teach is developed through backward mapping from the IBDP and IGCSE curricula.
Therefore, our curriculum in the Middle School is broad and balanced, offering students experiences in a wide range of academic disciplines with subject specialist teachers. Students have the opportunity to learn English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, a wide range of Languages, Individuals and Societies, Physical Education, Design and the Arts. Learning focuses equally on the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, the development of subject-specific skills, social-emotional growth and building effective attitudes to learning (ATLs).
Our pastoral care system supports our students holistically via the RESPECT programme and guides them in being balanced and principled members of society. Each student is part of a tutor group led by an individual tutor whose role is to support each student's personal growth and development overseen by a Head of Year. The focus of the pastoral team in Year 7-9 evolves to meet the needs of the different age groups, focusing on building relationships and transition in year 7 through to a greater focus on study skills as students move into Year 9 and prepare for High School.
In addition to our tutor system, we have a dedicated Student Support Unit including English as an Additional Language specialists, Learning Support specialist, a School Counsellor and a Careers and University Guidance Counsellor. This team of experienced staff works collaboratively to provide wrap-around support for students with the purpose of ensuring each student is able to access the curriculum and make progress.
Learning in the Middle School
Our approach to learning in Years 7-9 is driven by the IB MYP and our school values with an emphasis on inquiry and collaboration. It is purposefully designed to create strong and successful foundations for students’ continued academic, social, and emotional growth and development. Equal emphasis is given to developing a robust knowledge base that students can build on through the IGCSE programme as well as acquiring the skills required to flourish both in particular subjects but also as a life-long learner.
Assessment is continuous and ongoing, using formative and summative approaches to gather feedback on student progress whilst sharing these openly with students and parents. Through the MYP, Uplands articulates learning success using the subject-specific criteria and descriptions that use research-based standards to articulate the expected outcomes for students and allow for self, peer and teacher assessment against these outcomes.
Let's hear from our current Year 7 students
We asked them "What do you love about Uplands?" and "Why should other students come to Uplands?"
Movie on 05-03-2021 at 2.49 PM.movBach - Video.mp4Speech.mov