Curriculum FAQ
Each of the 6 core subjects has 12 books per level (which for many students is a year). Enrichment and elective courses are also available. The 6 core subjects are:
- Maths
- English Grammar
- English Literature (when students reach level 7 (PACE 1074) students drop to 6 books per level)
- Social Studies (History and Geography)
- Science
- Word Building (Etymology)
Each level of curriculum contains 12 PACEs (workbooks) in each subject. Therefore, level one consists of PACEs 1-12; level two consists of PACEs 13-24, and so on. Due to the individualised nature of this curriculum, students may be working in different levels in the various subjects.
Students are assisted to set targets for themselves in each of the subjects and then they work individually, requesting help as needed.
The students are able to monitor their progress constantly with a Goal Card of daily targets in front of them, a Star Chart displaying their completed PACEs as well as stickers for the monthly Learning Passages they have passed. For the older students, there is also an academic projection that suggests to students which term they should finish different parts of their PACE work. The students are able to track their own progress daily, weekly, termly and yearly with these helpful charts. This enables them to be aware, responsible and in control of their own learning.
The students can gauge their progress by their application for Privilege (the 3 levels of Privilege have progressive levels of demand and reward). Upper Senior students build up their individual Christian Schools’ “Record of Achievement” and receive the International Certificate of Christian Education.
The ICCE Advanced Certificate is a matriculation certificate quoted by UCAS for university entrance, though this does not constitute accreditation. We are more confident than ever in the ICCE, especially with its growing record of high achievers at university.
It has been investigated in detail by NARIC (UK) and in 2012 they reported it comparable to Cambridge International Examinations O Level and A Level. It has been accepted at many universities including Oxford and Durham, for a variety of courses including law and medicine.
ICCE stands for International Certificate of Christian Education. For more information click here: International Certificate of Christian Education.
The Learning Centre is the room in which students complete academic work. The environment is quiet, calm and orderly, which allows students to concentrate and work at their optimum level.
PACE is an acronym for Packet of Accelerated Christian Education. A PACE is a bite-sized piece of curriculum which comes in the form of a colourful workbook designed to encourage learning and understanding and develop mastery of a concept. A PACE is a single element of learning which builds up to a whole, coordinated ‘library’ of knowledge. There are 132 to 144 modules in each of 7 core subjects which will be completed over the life of each student at school, eventually resulting in the internationally recognised ICCE qualification.
Each student must pass each module before going to the ensuing one. The student masters each level as an individual. This ensures the students do not get left behind or held back by others and allows them to set their learning goals and measure their own progress. The PACEs are designed to be completed at the student’s ability and speed. PACEs come in bite-sized sections, so the student can measure his own success as he completes it.
No, students receive practical lessons in relevant subjects daily. Their core curriculum PACE work is completed in the mornings.
Our core subjects are Maths, English (Grammar and Literature), Social Studies (both History and Geography), Science, Word Building (Etymology) and Biblical Studies. These remain the core subjects throughout the school, with obligatory Speech, ECDL in the certificate levels. Students on their levels also choose from options such as Health, Nutrition or Music.
In the afternoons the lessons are designed to build team skills, group work, investigations and to bring a dynamic, practical level to the more theoretical morning work. In Maths, for example, this includes for example problem solving, and daily computer work which augments the system; maths is seen across the extended curriculum in other subjects wherever possible.
In languages we currently offer French and German, although our Early Years are having ‘dip-in’ lessons in many languages such as Tagalog, Gujarati and Portuguese.
In addition, a wide range of subjects are taught, including DT, DTFT, Art, RSE, PSHE, Music and Computing, some of which count towards the Certificate. Much can be explained at Parent Orientation Day where you have an opportunity to experience the system for yourselves.
Accelerated Christian Education.
