1. Subject-Based Banding

2. Previous System (before 2008)
Students who did not perform well in Primary 4 examinations
Streamed into EM3 classes in Primary 5 and 6
Took all subjects at the foundation level
Might take Mother Tongue (MT) at the standard level if they were strong in MT
Since 2008, Subject-based Banding has replaced the Merged and EM3 stream in Primary 5 and 6.
Previously, students who did not perform well at Primary 4 exams would be streamed into EM3 classes in Primary 5 and 6. They took all subjects at foundation level. Students who were very strong in mother tongue could take Mother Tongue at the standard level.

3. Why introduce Subject-Based Banding?
To recognise the different abilities of students
Provide more flexibility in subject combinations for students with strengths and abilities that vary across subjects
Removal of Merged and EM3 streams in Primary 5 and 6
Every child is unique, with different aptitudes, capabilities and talents. Subject-based Banding was introduced to recognise this by providing more flexibility in subject combinations for students with strengths and abilities that vary across subjects. Introduced as a refinement to the streaming process, Subject-based Banding aims to help every child realise his potential.

4. What Subject-Based Banding means for your child
Greater flexibility in subject combinations
Your child has the choice to take a combination of standard and foundation subjects, depending on his strengths
Subject-based Banding means greater flexibility for your child by giving him the choice to take a combination of standard and foundation subjects, depending on his strengths. For example, if he is strong in English and Mother Tongue but very weak in Mathematics and Science, he may choose to take the first two subjects at the standard level and the others at the foundation level. This will help him focus and improve on the subjects that he is strong in while building up the fundamentals in the subjects that he is very weak in.

5. How does Subject-Based Banding Work?
[At P4]
School recommends subject combination, based on P4 exam results. Parents indicate preferred
combination.
[At P5]
Let’s now look at the decision process. There are basically two major decision points. After the P4 exams, the school will recommend a subject combination based on the results. You make the decision at the end of this year on what your child will take in Primary 5.
The school will monitor your child’s performance in Primary 5 and decide at the end of the year what combination best suits your child.
If a student who takes 1 or more foundation subjects does very well in them, the school may decide that he can take his strong subjects at the standard level in Primary 6.
If a student who takes standard subjects shows difficulty coping, at the end of Primary 5, the school may decide that it would be better for him to take 1 or more subjects at foundation level in Primary 6.
All other students will continue the same subject combination in Primary 6.
So in Primary 6, students will take the subject combination decided by the school.
At the end of the year, they sit for the PSLE.
Student takes subject combination chosen by parents

6. How does Subject-Based Banding Work?
[End of P5]
Student who takes 1 or more foundation subject(s) and does very well in them
Student who takes standard subjects and has difficulty coping
All other students
School may allow him to upgrade 1 or 2 subjects to standard level if school believes he can cope; or continue the same subject combination in P6
School may allow him to take 1 or more subjects at foundation level in P6
School will allow them to continue the same subject combination in P6
Let’s now look at the decision process. There are basically two major decision points. After the P4 exams, the school will recommend a subject combination based on the results. You make the decision at the end of this year on what your child will take in Primary 5.
The school will monitor your child’s performance in Primary 5 and decide at the end of the year what combination best suits your child.
If a student who takes 1 or more foundation subjects does very well in them, the school may decide that he can take his strong subjects at the standard level in Primary 6.
If a student who takes standard subjects shows difficulty coping, at the end of Primary 5, the school may decide that it would be better for him to take 1 or more subjects at foundation level in Primary 6.
All other students will continue the same subject combination in Primary 6.
So in Primary 6, students will take the subject combination decided by the school.
At the end of the year, they sit for the PSLE.
[At P6]
Student takes subject combination decided by school
[End of P6]
Student sits for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)

7. Subject-based Banding and Secondary School admission
Progression to secondary level depends on PSLE Score.
The scoring system is not new
Different expectations of standard and foundation subjects will be taken into account when the PSLE score is calculated
Offering weaker subjects at foundation level is not a disadvantage.
Your child will be able to focus on building up strong fundamentals in the weaker subjects
Progression to secondary level depends on your child’s PSLE score. The different expectations of standard and foundation subjects will be taken into account when your child’s PSLE score is calculated. Previously, pupils from EM3 stream would mostly enter the Normal (Technical) course at secondary level. With Subject-based Banding, these pupils, if they have strengths in some areas, are able to offer at least one subject at the standard level. If they excel in these subjects, they will have the opportunity to pursue higher-level options at secondary school.
Offering weaker subjects at the foundation level is not a disadvantage to your child. It enables him to focus on building up strong fundamentals in these subjects and better prepares him for progression to secondary school.
For Principal’s information and discretionary use only
How would Subject-based Banding affect a child’s chances for the different secondary school courses - Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical).
If a student takes all standard subjects, the chances are exactly the same as in the previous system. Depending on how well he does at the PSLE, he will be posted to a course suitable for him i.e. Special / Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical).
If a student takes only 3 examinable foundation subjects because he is generally weaker in most of his subjects, he is likely to go to Normal (Technical) course unless he does exceptionally well, in which case he may qualify for Normal (Academic) course. This is the same as previous years.
If a student takes one or two standard subjects as is now possible with Subject-Based Banding, compared to someone who takes only foundation subjects, his chances of qualifying for Normal (Academic) course will be higher if he does well in his PSLE.
Offering the weaker subjects at the foundation level would not disadvantage students, as doing so would allow them to focus on building up strong fundamentals in these subjects and prepare better for secondary school

8. Subject-Based Banding in West Grove Primary School
I have just given you the broad overview of how subject-based banding is done across schools. Let’s now look at some details to make it more concrete.

9. Choices available in West Grove
If your child (for P4 Exam)
Your child may be recommended to take
Passes all 4 subjects and performs very well in MTL
4 standard subjects + Higher Mother Tongue Language
Passes all 4 subjects
4 standard subjects
Passes 3 subjects
Passes 2 subjects or less
4 standard subjects;
3 standard subjects + 1 other foundation subject;
2 standard subjects+ 2 other foundation subjects;
1 standard subject + 3 other foundation subjects; o
4 foundation subjects
How do we know what combination your child should take? The school-based Primary 4 examinations will tell us your child’s academic ability in the various subjects.
If your child ….. (according to the text in the table)

10. Some SBB considerations
Performance at P4
Performance at P1-P3
Recommendations by form and subject teachers
Not as an Easy Option

11. P4 Assessment
SA1 – 30 % SA2 – 70%

12. At the end of P5 Child’s performance at P5
Change in subject combination
Offering of HMT
The School’s decision is Final

13. Higher Mother Tongue
Should my child take Higher MT, Standard MT or Foundation MT ?
How will my decision affect my child at the end of the Primary School Education or in Secondary School?

14. Key Determinants for offering HMT
1. School’s Recommendation
Based on your child’s:
Potential and consistency in his/ her Mother Tongue Language
(at least an overall MT grade of 75% at the end of P4)
Performance and ability to cope in other subjects,
i.e. English, Mathematics and Science
2. Parents’ Option

15. PSLE Aggregate
Higher Mother Tongue is NOT included in the Computation of the PSLE Aggregate or T-Score.

16. PSLE Bonus Points for HIGHER CHINESE (Admission to SAP Schools)
Higher Chinese Grade
Top 30% of PSLE Cohort
Bonus Points
Distinction (80 – 100) 3
Merit ( ) 2
Pass (50 – 64) 1

17. Pre-requisite for HMT in Secondary School
Top 10 % of PSLE Cohort OR
Top 11%-30% of PSLE Cohort ＋
At least a Merit in
HMT
Top 11%-30% of PSLE Cohort ＋
A* in HMT

18. Elective programme in Malay Language for secondary schools (EMAS)
A four-year programme, introduced in Bukit Panjang Govt High and Tanjong Katong Sec,
offered to pupils who take up HML at PSLE.
Aims to deepen HML pupils’ understanding and appreciation of Malay Language, history and culture.

19. DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION (DSA) TO SECONDARY ONE
Good morning.
My briefing today is on the Direct School Admission Exercise for admission to Secondary schools.

20. Introduction
DSA-Sec Exercise introduced in 2004 as part of MOE's move towards creating more flexibility and options.
To encourage more schools to recognise academic and non-academic achievements
Participating schools will decide on their own admission criteria.
The DSA Exercise for Secondary schools was first introduced last year for IP schools.
This was part of MOE's move towards creating more flexibility and options.
This year the DSA Exercise will be extended to all independent schools, autonomous schools and schools with niche programmes approved by MOE. This is meant to encourage more schools to recognise diverse academic and non-academic achievements and talents which may not be reflected in the PSLE aggregate.
Schools participating in the DSA Exercise may set their own admission criteria, provided only that these criteria are merit-based and transparent. They will also run their own selection exercises according to the admission criteria that they have set.

21. Through DSA, we‘ve had West Grove students going to …
National JC : academic and leadership
NUS High School : Math and Science
River Valley High : Academic, various CCAs (wushu, badminton, Uniform Group)
SOTA: dance, drama and music Academies
S’pore Sports School : badminton, football
School of Science and Technology: Math and Science

22. Participating schools
For schools offering an integrated programme (IP Schools) eg National junior College
For independent schools (IS)
For autonomous schools (AS)
For schools with niche programmes approved by MOE (Niche Schools)
Specialist schools not run by MOE
The Secondary schools participating in the DSA Exercise this year are accorded different levels of discretion as indicated here.
Although, as shown here, the IP schools have full discretion in student admission, all of the IP schools with the exception of NUS High School admitted 50% or less of their Secondary One intake through the DSA-Sec Exercise last year. This year, a significant proportion of their vacancies will continue to be retained for centralised posting.

23. Some Schools with Niche Programme
School Niche
Jurongville Sec Football, Tchoukball
Jurong West Sec Uniformed Groups, Hockey
Nan Hua Secondary Performing Arts
Methodist Girls’ School Music, Cross Country
Hong Kah Sec Football
Pioneer Sec School Rugby
The 9 schools with approved niche programmes shown here will participate in this year’s DSA-Sec Exercise.
<pause>
These schools have a proven track record of achievements in their declared niche and have a sound and workable development plan to ensure sustainability.

24. Specialised Schools Singapore Sports School
Singapore School of the Arts with different academies:
Performing arts viz music, dance & theatre and
The Visual arts
NUS High School Of Science & Math
School of Science and Technology

25. P6
Process for DSA
Application deadline for each DSA secondary school may differ
Schools publish their selection criteria from May onwards
Check individual schools’ websites/ visit the schools/call the schools

26. Stages of the DSA-Sec ExerciseP6
Stages of the DSA-Sec Exercise
Selection Stage
May –Aug
Exercise School Preference Stage
Mid Oct
Now, allow me to go through the stages of the DSA-Sec Exercise 2005.
The Exercise will be conducted in 3 main stages.
The Selection Stage, from 27 Jun – 31 Aug, the Exercise School Preference Stage from Oct, and the Results Release Stage in late-Nov together with the PSLE Results.
Results Release Stage
Late-Nov

27. P6
Selection stage
Schools will run their own selection exercises and make offers to students who meet their admission criteria.
By the end of this stage, each school would have informed all their applicants if the school:
would like to give them a confirmed offer.
have placed them on the waiting list.
is unable to offer them a place in the school.
The Selection Stage is intended for schools to conduct selection exercises, incorporating tests, trials or interviews according to their published selection criteria, and to make offers to students.
Schools will inform students by the end of this stage if:
They would like to give the student a confirmed offer.
They have placed the student on their waiting list.
They are unable to offer the student a place.
This stage will be concluded by the end of August.

28. Pre-exercise school preference stage
Applicants who received a confirmed offer, or who are on a waiting list will be given a School Preference Form.
The form will show a consolidated list of all the schools which have given the applicant confirmed offers or placed the applicant on their waiting list.
Before the next stage which is the Exercise School Preference Stage, each student that received a confirmed offer or was placed on the waiting list of a school will receive a School Preference Form through their Primary Schools.
The School Preference Form will show a consolidated list of all the schools which have given the applicant either a confirmed offer or have placed the applicant on their waiting list.

29. Exercise School Preference Stage (after PSLE results)
Students who have exercised their school preference for a confirmed offer or one on waiting list, and are accepted, will not be able to exercise their choice of schools during the S1 Posting Exercise.
Students with a School Preference Form will be able to indicate their school preferences at their Primary schools from Oct 05.
Students may indicate their preferences for up to 6 schools in order of priority. Their preferences must be from among the schools which had given them Confirmed Offers or placed them on the waiting list, as indicated in their School Preference Forms.
Once students have exercised an option whether under Confirmed Offers or Waiting List and were accepted, they will no longer be able to exercise school option under the Secondary One Posting Exercise.

30. ADMISSION To Singapore Sports School
Selection trials
Open House

31. Admission to SOTA Open House Talent Academy
Applicants must be able to showcase their talents eg a portfolio of 8 art pieces consisting of 2-D & 3-D works

32. SOTA IB Diploma Program through interdisciplinary learning and integrated Arts

33. Unique curriculum
6 years integrated arts and academic curriculum by combining subjects from across 6 groups
Studies in language and literature
Mother tongue languages
Geography, history, economics, social & cultural anthropology
Sciences
Mathematics, computer science
The arts

34. Affective development
Experiential education
Service learning

35. Academic development
Value added learning (Creative writing talk media & communication talks, humanities symposium, creative arts seminar, mathematics trail)
Overseas exposure (talent development trips)

36. Artistic development Small class size (1:1for music)
Master classes & workshops by local and international artists
Local & overseas Arts excellence programmes

37. Preparation Junior Academy (P4/P5) Talent Academy (P6) Arts CCAs
DSA admissions
(PSLE score 200 and above)

38. Indicate to us your interest
Junior Academy takes in selected students in Art, Dance, Music, Theatre, literary Arts at P4 or 5, depending on availability and offer by Sota.
All students can only be nominated to take part in any Junior Academy workshop, through school nominations by students' primary school
If you may have interest in SOTA, fill in your personal particulars so that we can contact you when the Junior Academy (for the preferred art form) is available

39. Thank you