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 PARENTS STUDENTS WHAT YOU SAY ... ASSESS A SCHOOL HOW WE TEACH SOFTWARE? CLASSES SOCIAL SKILLS PERSONAL SUPPORT HOMEWORK
TIMETABLE EXAMS TEACHERS HOME EDUCATION USEFUL LINKS DOWNLOADS CONTACT US | First College students live in the UK, in Europe or Asia. 4. Social skills are as important as study skills because they are a major part of growing up, but also because they are essential to orderly lessons. All students study ENGLISH, MATHS and our Monday seminar PHILOSOPHY & SOCIETY.  At the basic level, "First Class" ~ 11 -14 approx.there are NO BOOKS REQUIRED. We supply all learning materials. English achieves very basic literacy - sentences, planning an essay, plus poems, news articles, quizzes. Spelling is not drilled or forced. Maths is game or puzzle based, with no Algebra. Students also study Geography, History, Practical Science, Storytelling and choice of French or Spanish*. At this level there is also a special weekly Help session for carefull personal support in whatever comes up that week as needing it, including social skills. Storytelling looks at the logical structure of stories. Geography looks at the home areas of students in the class. History looks at exciting tribal warrior societies. Practical Science looks at everyday scientific facts and some cosmic ones, with home experiments using simple everyday resources. French and Spanish are taught outside the 3 basic/ intermediate/ exam levels, so that students can start a language never studied before, or continue it for interest when in a higher class. Homework is 45 mins for 5 subjects, except English which is 1 hour. Total 4hrs 45mins weekly. We do not like students to drop a subject at this level, but our youngest or older, struggling students can be put on a small homework commitment of fewer subjects, then work it up gradually to full coverage. Moving up to Seniors' intermediate level is strictly according to ability. Students must have no significant problems with homework completion, personal responsibility and social skills, no weak grades, and capacity for a 250 word essay in clear English. At the intermediate level, "Seniors" 12-15 approx ~ NO BOOKS REQUIRED. We supply all learning materials. Students study with two different English teachers, covering a strong literacy syllabus of adequate grammar, structured essays, comprehension, analysing persuasion techniques; plus a variety of literary pieces, and project work. A minimum shortlist of essential spelling is trained. Maths increases to two hours a week, introducing classic skills in Arithmetic, Geometry and Algebra. Students also study Geography, History, Practical Science, and choice of French or Spanish.* History examines a variety of periods, including inviting students to choose a theme or time. Geography emphasises human geography. Practical Science emphasises the fun of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, beginning to lay down the tools for exam work later. French or Spanish are not taught in the same class group so as to fit individual knowledge. Homework is 1 hour for 5 subjects, except English which2 X 45mins. Total 6hrs 30mins weekly. At this level a student may drop one subject which is much disliked, or which creates serious problems. Moving up to the Scholars exam program is strictly according to ability. Students must have no significant problems with homework completion, no weak grades, and capacity for a 500 word essay in clear, structured English. The exam program, "Scholars" rising 14 -17 approx ~ prepares for the prestigious IGCSE exams. Exam Subjects page. These are better quality exams than ordinary GCSEs, and universally recognised. The exam program is 5 terms of study (there are 3 school terms a year). A set of exam textbooks are required which will cost between £50 and £100. All are available on Amazon. Some Maths equipment is also required. The standard exam package is 5 subjects, including the 2 Required courses English and Maths. The 2 Required subjects plus choice of 3 Options aims to achieve A*/ A/ B/ or C grades. Stronger students may take more than 3 Option subjects, providing they can definitely demonstrate the necessary abilities. Occasionally a student needs to work a small exam package of 2 -4 subjects in order to get good grades. The 8 Option subjects to choose are Geography, History, Literature, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, French or Spanish. For a description of each course see the Exam Subjects list page. Exam students go through 3 stages. Stage 1: Settling in, assessing the individual exam package which suits ability. 1-2 terms. Stage 2. Completing most of the work required. Taking one (occasionally two) actual exams for practice. 2-3 terms. Stage 3. Final assessment for exam targets. Full completion, with retake of the practice exam if desired. Intensive support EVERY DAY over the last month. 1 term. Homework is 2 hours for Maths, and 1 hour 30 mins for each other subject but may need longer The Standard exam package of 5 subjects total = 8 -10 hours weekly. We can continue working with students until 18yrs to achieve the best results possible. Why is it called "First College" when it's a high school or secondary school? We train a strongly collegiate style of studying so that the student learns to take responsibility for their own work and deadlines. It means the transfer to later qualifications, University, or (self) employment is much easier as a result. First College UK is very much a family business. We created it to educate our own son, who is now a junior online teacher in the school! (under strict supervision) CRB checks (Standard Level) on all teachers; DP registration (Notification reference: jvl530); Please do ask for any of this to be explained. |
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