ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

ACADEMIC PRIORITIES

Kingswood College is committed to adhering to the international standards which define a world-class education. This is achieved by:

• Providing an education which seeks to promote enterprise, self- discipline and interpersonal skills. We encourage children to develop enquiring and creative minds, to take decisions for themselves, and to learn how to work independently.
  
  

• Being outstanding in the quality of our teaching. We have a very able staff, small classes and excellent facilities and resources.  There are twice-yearly examinations, academic progress is monitored by Housepersons, reports are issued regularly and commendations are given to pupils based on their grades and their diligence.
  
  

• Placing primary importance on the quality of pupil learning and on the quality of teaching which produces such learning. We require pupils to engage in research, study and scholarly activity at a level and quality appropriate for each academic subject offered.
  
  

• Encouraging and providing for staff development in order to enable our teachers to enhance their professional skills. Teachers regularly attend educational seminars and conferences. Senior School teachers are members of Subject User Groups of the Independent Examinations Board where they can influence decisions regarding curricula, assessment and standards.
  
  

• Promoting the integrated use of Information Technology at all levels of the curriculum.

ACADEMIC STRUCTURES

In the Senior School, a wide range of subjects is offered, namely: English, Afrikaans, French, isiXhosa, South Sotho, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Science, Biology Accounting, Business Economics, History, Geography, Computer Studies, Art, Music, Religious Education and Life Orientation.

In Grades 10, 11 and 12, pupils must offer seven subjects for study for the final Senior Certificate examinations. Pupils are prepared for the Independent Examinations Board examination, which has been favourably benchmarked against exit examinations in other countries.

THE WIDER CURRICULUM

In order to prepare our pupils as global citizens, great emphasis is laid in the formal curriculum on the acquisition of computer skills, and entrepreneurship skills.

Computer technology is an integral part of almost every industry on the face of the earth, and Kingswood recognizes this fact. Thus computer literacy is taught from Grade 1 through to Grade 12.

Computers in the Information Technology Centre and other stations on campus are available throughout the day to all pupils. The computers are permanently linked to the Internet, and pupils regularly use this facility for research as well as for communication via e-mail. Our networked environment and the accessibility to both staff and pupils enables the integration of interactive technology into our teaching/learning environment in both the Senior and Junior Schools.

Several clubs and societies further academic engagement in an informal way for example, Art Club, Afrikaans Club, Glasscraft, Model Engineering and Effective Communication (on the lines of Toastmasters).