SBB @ Upper Sec (NT Students) 23 Mar 2018

2019 Will affect the 2019 S3 cohort. No major changes in subject combinations.

What is Subject-Based Banding (SBB)? Every student is unique and possesses different strengths. Taking subjects at a higher academic level can help students nurture their strengths and give them more opportunities throughout their educational journey, so that they are more engaged in learning. Previously, students in N(A) and N(T) courses can take higher-level subjects starting from Secondary 3. With SBB, students can start doing so from the start of Secondary 1, to build a stronger foundation in subjects that they are good at.

What are the possible benefits of taking higher-level subjects? Some students (and parents) have shared that SBB allows the students to challenge themselves, and to have more options for Sec 3 subject combinations and post- secondary courses. A strong foundation in literacy, numeracy and reasoning, would ensure students are better prepared for various post-secondary progression pathways (e.g. to ITE and Polytechnic).

Eligibility Criteria and Opting into SBB Each student should take no more than 3 higher-level subjects so as to ensure that he/she can cope with the overall academic demands. Course PSLE Standard Grade PSLE Foundation Grade Option to offer subject at N(A) A*, A - Express N(T) Express/ N(A) B, C 1

Other Opportunities to Take Higher-Level Subjects Beyond the start of Sec 1, students who do well in school-based examinations may be considered to take higher-level subjects if found suitable to do so by our school. Eligible N(A) and N(T) students will receive an application form after the Sec 1 Mid- Year or End-of-Year examinations, based on the following criteria: 75% or higher in the subject; 60% or higher in the overall average; Our school will provide support through bridging programmes for these new SBB students.

SBB @ Upper Sec After running the SBB programme for 2 years, some of the SBB students will now have to consider whether they are going to continue offering SBB subjects at Upper Secondary.

Criteria for NT students to continue offering NA-level subjects Non-SBB students will NOT be offered SBB at S3. Criteria to continue SBB in S3 – 65% and above in 2NA EOY + 60% OVR for all subjects Note : ITE awards two bonus points for passes in N(A) EL, Math or Science, where these subjects are stipulated as prerequisite subjects for admission to full-time Nitec courses (capped at four bonus points). Rationale : Scoring 65% and above in the NA subject will translate to a ‘1’ or ‘2’ for NT. While encouraging students to stretch themselves, we would like students to do well holistically too.

Criteria for NT students to continue offering Exp-level subjects Will NOT be offering in S3. These students will automatically be offered the NA-level paper of the SBB subject. Note : ITE awards two bonus points for passes in N(A) EL, Math or Science, where these subjects are stipulated as prerequisite subjects for admission to full-time Nitec courses (capped at four bonus points). Rationale : These students (i) are struggling with Exp-level subjects. (ii) will likely to do well in their NA-level subject. They can then channel their efforts to doing well for their other NT-level subjects.

Other Recommendations Students are to offer a maximum of 3 SBB subjects to ensure that they are able to cope with the overall academic demands. For national exams, students will only take the higher-level paper. For N(A) students, they need to offer at least five distinct subjects but not more than eight subjects in their Sec 4 N(A) year. For N(T) students, up to a cap of two sets of duplicate subjects is permitted, provided the maximum number of subjects is not exceeded (the maximum number of subjects they can offer is seven).