Middle School overview
East Campus
We offer a robust and challenging programme for students aged 11 to 14 (Grades 6-8), connecting academic subjects with social and self development and opportunities for leadership.
Our Middle School learning programme is structured to meet the varied intellectual and developmental needs of adolescents as they prepare for High School. The five elements of our programme include a rigorous Academic curriculum, a Personal and Social Education (PSE) programme addressing the needs of young adolescents, challenging expeditions through our Outdoor Education programme and involvement in the wider life of the College and in the Singapore community through extensive opportunities to be involved in the Activities and Service programmes.
We encourage students to apply themselves fully in all that they do and offer guidance and support in a positive and caring environment. Our teachers act as role models for students, providing more than the academic programme by offering guidance in lunchtime and after-school activities, supporting service initiatives and participating in the outdoor education programme with their students.
Our educational programme promotes international understanding, while making education relevant to the global needs of our time. We celebrate the variety of cultures at UWCSEA and encourage our students to explore and understand the traditions and backgrounds of others. Our PSE and mentor programmes provide transitional support for new students as they join the College and our community.
We aim to develop students who have the ability to lead effectively when the need arises but who can also adapt to various roles within a team to promote the successful completion of a project, activity or service task. The learning programme provides structured opportunities for students to develop these skills in a wide variety of settings. At all levels of the school, we provide exceptional opportunities for our students to develop independence and leadership skills, and the Middle School is no exception. At the heart of our educational philosophy is the belief that we prepare students not just for university, but for life, and it is the skills and qualities students develop, as much as the knowledge and understanding they gain, that will define the quality of the life they live. For this reason, students are encouraged to extend themselves so that they experience failure as well as success, to understand that leadership can take many forms, to develop their critical thinking and communication skills and to grow in the belief that they can play a positive role in society.
Middle School capacity (August 2024)
* Students must be born on or between 1 September and 31 August. Refer to the age-grade boundary chart on our website for guidance, or contact Admissions. Available places are offered up to the start of Term 2 (January) of the school year.
About the UWCSEA curriculum
Developed from our Mission, our concept-based curriculum ensures that UWCSEA’s education is rigorous, future-focused and relevant to our entire student community, regardless of their educational background or at what age they join (or leave) the College. Our students are challenged through the all five elements of our holistic learning programme—Academics, Activities, Outdoor Education, Personal and Social Education and Service.
We have a written curriculum in four of the five elements of our learning programme: Academics, Outdoor Education, Personal and Social Education, and Service. In designing our curriculum to equip our students as agents of positive change in their lives beyond school, we began by identifying what we understood students should know, and be able to do, at the end of their schooling so as to take the next steps in life. For each of the elements, and each of the disciplines within that element, our senior educators drew from, and continue to incorporate, best practice and research from across the world to design and deliver a programme that supports students as they journey from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
We started by identifying the key concepts (which we call ‘Standards’) in the four learning elements and in each academic discipline. These are sometimes broken into Strands and sub-strands so as to better manage the learning pathways through complex disciplines. Using the Standard identified in Grade 12, we then worked backwards, identifying how students might build their Conceptual Understanding of each Standard (or Strand or sub-strand) as they progress through each stage of learning from K1.
Each Standard has age-appropriate Conceptual Understandings attached to it, and these are used by teachers to develop units of learning in each grade and for each classroom. By connecting each lesson to a larger understanding of a key concept (a Standard, Strand or sub-strand) within a discipline, our teachers create opportunities for students to demonstrate evidence of understanding (we call these Benchmarks) in age-appropriate ways.
This curriculum model takes into account the reality of our international school community. Students who will spend only a few years of their overall schooling at the College are equipped for a smooth transition from one school system to another by our focus on transferable concepts rather than specific content. In High School, the Standards, Conceptual Understandings and Benchmarks take into account the requirements of the external examining bodies that set the (I)GCSE and IB Diploma examinations.
How the model works: English (First Language) curriculum example
In this example, all students work towards a Standard in writing for an audience. The Conceptual Understandings in each grade then outline what students should understand at each stage—by Middle School the complexity of the Conceptual Understanding has developed and students are asked to create pleasure and coherent meaning through their choice of words. This in turn is further refined in the High School as students in the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) are asked to influence the reader through selective word choice.
K1–Grade 12
Standard: Writing expresses selfhood, creativity and intellect in a medium shaped by audience and purpose.
Grade 7
Conceptual Understanding: All parts of a text work together to shape meaning.
Benchmark: Write narratives, using time and plot deliberately in order to influence mood and focus attention on the important moments in a story.
Grade 11 and 12 (IBDP)
Conceptual Understanding: Writers manipulate structure to convey meaning effectively.
Benchmark: Sequence and sustain structure to strengthen and develop the logic and persuasive impact of a claim.
Academics
Students have a broad and balanced range of subjects, including the core subjects of English, Humanities, Mathematics and Science. In addition, courses in the Arts, Languages, Physical Education and other exploratory subjects in areas such as Design and Technology ensure that students are able to develop across a range of subjects.
The Middle School programme intentionally refines core interdisciplinary skills initiated in many inquiry-based Primary School curricula. Students have subject specialist teachers—who specialise in teaching Middle School age students—guiding them in fundamental subject-specific skills required for higher studies.
Middle School subject offerings (refer to the curriculum guide on our website for detailed information)
Language other than English or English as an Additional Language (EAL)
*In Grade 6, our curriculum integrates English with the study of Humanities; skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening are woven into the study of Geography and History, in addition to the study of literature texts in their own right. **Students spend half a year on each subject each school year.
Languages other than English/English as an Additional Language
All students select one language other than English as part of their timetabled lessons. Some home language (mother tongue) classes are taught after school in small groups at additional cost. These classes are available subject to demand. See our EAL and Languages factsheets for more information or contact Admissions.
Social and Environmental Entrepreneurship (SEED)
This course empowers students to contribute to a peaceful and sustainable future by providing them with an understanding of sustainability, systems thinking, and a change-making process through entrepreneurship. This three-year course allows students to extend their understanding of the world in both a global and local context, while developing the skills and qualities of the UWCSEA profile with a particular focus on commitment to care.
Activities
Our comprehensive activities programme presents our students with opportunities to try new things, discover new talents and further develop their passions, as well as make new friends through the sharing of common interests.
The diverse variety of activities includes competitive and recreational sports, music, art in many forms, dance, drama, leadership and curriculum-based or enrichment activities. The programme is offered in four ‘seasons’ each year, allowing students to try a number of new activities throughout the school year. Students who take the bus home are provided with an ‘activity bus’ after activities have concluded at no additional cost.
Dragons Sports and Wellness for Life
The strong sports programme includes representative opportunities in athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, netball (girls), rugby (boys), sailing, softball, swimming, tennis, touch rugby and volleyball. A number of other sports, such as martial arts and rock climbing, are offered on a recreational basis, as are general fitness and wellbeing activities such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Arts and Performance
Students have the opportunity to participate in a number of musical and vocal ensembles and perform in several concerts per year, and to join a number of music ensembles or percussion groups focusing on drumming, marimba, mbira and more. The instrumental teaching programme offers access to music lessons outside the academic curriculum on a wide variety of instruments. Instrument hire is also available.
Performance opportunities on stage are numerous, and students are invited to audition for a number of drama and dance productions throughout the year. There are also opportunities for learning in costume, lighting and set design. The performances are supported by teachers from the Drama Department.
Mind Matters, Create and Innovate, Learn and Lead
Students have ample opportunity to develop leadership skills through participation in groups such as Student Council, the Service Executive Committee and other student leadership groups.
This diverse group of activities also meets a wide range of students’ creative, inventive, problem solving, and artistic aspirations. Activities are offered across the fields of technology, fine art, craft, writing, creative art, design technology, food science, construction, robotics and engineering.
Home and Community Languages
Home and Community Languages Programme classes are offered at additional cost. Taught in small groups by a qualified teacher, the focus is on developing ageappropriate literacy skills. These classes are for students who want to maintain and develop competency in a language that is not taught in the academic programme.
Outdoor Education
Our challenging and fun outdoor education programme provides invaluable learning experiences for all our students. A series of activities and expeditions are planned, managed and led by our experienced Outdoor Education staff. An important component of the programme is the idea of ‘team challenge’ activities, in which students are given challenges to overcome as a group. Developing a sense of the individual’s own responsibility to this group effort is a very important aim of the Outdoor Education programme. Because of our written curriculum and well resourced programme, student learning in Outdoor Education was able to continue through the pandemic with students guided through a range of age-appropriate activities both on campus and in Singapore. However we are have returned to overseas Outdoor Education from January 2023 and are operating in accordance with the College’s robust health and safety guidelines, and a new sustainable trips framework. This has been a warmly welcomed aspect of the programmme and enables student growth to be maximised through exposure to a greater range of outdoor spaces and learning opportunities.
Grade-level expeditions
The Middle School expeditions are as follows:
• Grades 6, 7 and 8 currently complete 5 day residential trips in Malaysia with a variety of habitat exploration and adventurous activities such as: Jungle Trekking, Sailing, Coasteering, Snorkelling, Camping and Kayaking. Each grades programme is carefully designed to support students to Embrace Challenge, develop healthy relationships, foster a connectedness to nature while learning a range of expedition skills at an age appropriate level.
Teaching staff and mentors accompany the students on their grade-level expeditions, together with our Outdoor Education trip leaders. All students are expected to participate in these activities and expeditions, which are at an additional cost.
During the year, each mentor group also spends time tackling campus-based activities such as crate stacking, abseiling and rock climbing under the guidance of qualified Outdoor Education staff. This enhances the students’ support for each other and to encourage them to develop the Qualities and Skills in the UWCSEA Profile in a unique environment.
Optional trips
Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in optional trips that are linked to a number of elements in the learning programme during school holidays. These trips are grouped under the categories of ‘adventure trips, ‘service trips’ and ‘curriculum enrichment trips’.
Personal and Social Education
For Middle School students, this is a time of significant change in their intellectual, social and emotional development. It is a time of transition as students seek increased levels of independence and responsibility. Our dedicated Personal and Social Education (PSE) programme provides a supportive, safe and nurturing environment that recognises the unique developmental needs of Middle School students and addresses them through a programme that is relevant, challenging, integrative and exploratory.
Our Middle School PSE team is led by the Vice Principal (Pastoral) and Heads of Grade. The Head of Grade for each year level works with mentors, who are responsible for the overall welfare of their students with an overview of both academic progress and social and emotional needs. The Heads of Grade rotate through each grade with their cohort to optimise support and provide continuity for students (and parents).
All students are placed in a mentor group at the start of each school year. Mentors (teachers in the Middle School) meet with their mentor group for three 20-minute and two 40-minute sessions per week. This includes a weekly grade-level assembly where current topics in the PSE programme are further explored. All students also participate in a bi-weekly Life Skills class to further explore self-awareness, relationships, community and financial literacy. Other ways in which students are supported by the PSE programme include guest speakers, special presentations and focus weeks around particular topics and themes.
Our PSE programme provides students with strategies for effective learning such as organisation, self-management and reflection skills. The mentor assists students in developing routines and healthy habits. Grade 8 mentors also support students as they prepare for High School, particularly with guidance in the subject selection process.
Professional guidance from the Middle School Counsellor is also available for students and families through our Wellness Centre.
Technology
Appropriate use technology is integrated into each classroom as a tool to facilitate learning. All students are required to have an Apple laptop which is then equipped with College-supplied software, and have access to on-campus helpdesk and support centre. Teachers are supported by a digital literacy coach and a network of technology mentors in implementing effective uses of technology in teaching and learning.
Students are supported in the responsible use of technology through our PSE programme. This provides them with the skills and knowledge to become responsible, independent and organised digital citizens. A series of workshops for parents ensure that good habits around technology are reinforced at home and parents are equipped to help students navigate the online world.
Service
Service is an essential component of the UWCSEA learning programme and is at the heart of the UWC ethos. Our Service programme provides opportunities for students to develop compassion and address the UN Sustainable Development goals. In Service, students take practical steps to help create a more caring society and conserve the environment.
Service requires whole-hearted commitment, where students learn the importance of approaching every service activity and commitment with energy, and a willingness to try new things, to reflect on successes and failures and to always focus on the larger goal of shaping a better world.
College and Local Service
Middle School service is organised into grade-level families of service learning experiences, which are developmentally appropriate. Grade 6 focused on Action for the Planet, Grade 7 involves Action for People and Grade 8 participates in Action for Peace and Prosperity. All students are required to participate in College or Singapore-based Local service. Activities vary widely but include:
• rainforest restoration
• paired reading with children from nearby primary schools
• chat and games with the elderly
• gardening projects to enhance the campus
• upcycling and recycling projects
• musical buddies with a nearby Cerebral Palsy Centre
Some services are shared with the High School, whose students act as mentors for their Middle School peers. In other services, our Middle School students take the lead as mentors for Junior School students.
Global Concerns
All Middle School students are encouraged to join one of several Global Concerns (GC) groups that have links with grassroots NGOs in the region and further afield. These groups meet weekly at lunchtimes and provide an opportunity for students to both learn about and to take action to support their chosen GC. Students who elect to undertake a GC rather than College or Local Service are asked to sign up for a full year, so that they can gain an in-depth understanding of the issues facing their chosen GC.
There are also a number of optional service trips open to students (and, in some cases, families) which provide unparalleled opportunities for participants to further their understanding of the challenges faced by these groups and to take action to support their chosen ‘cause’—refer to the Optional Trips section on page 6.