LEARNING
WELCOME
In Years 7 to 9 (Fourth Form and Lower Fifth), King William’s College broadly follows the requirements of the National Curriculum, except we encourage all pupils to study two modern languages. From Year 9 (Lower Fifth), the Sciences are also taught as three separate subjects.
PROGRESS
Progress is monitored through regular assessments and internal exams are held twice a year. Most pupils go on to take ten subjects at (I)GCSE level, and in addition to the core subjects, there is a wide range of options. This provides a strong foundation for the Sixth Form, where students can study the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Exam results are consistently high and above the national average. Over 95% of our students proceed to Higher Education each year, both in the UK and abroad, and students regularly gain places at the very best universities around the world.
MEET OUR STAFF
Life at KWC
Heads of Faculties
YEAR 7 & 8 (FOURTH FORM)
Fourth Form at King William’s College represents Year 7 (Lower Fourth) and Year 8 (Upper Fourth). Each class has a form tutor who is always on hand to look after the students’ interests. There are usually eight tutor groups which combine Lower and Upper Fourth students. The form tutors closely monitor the students in their care, reviewing academic progress and pastoral matters, reporting back to the Head of Year on a daily basis. The Fourth Form study the core subjects of:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- French
- Spanish/Latin
- History
- Geography
- Design and Technology
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Art
- Music
- Religious Studies
There are timetabled lessons of Physical Education (PE), Young Enterprise, Drama and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE). In Upper Fourth, Adventure Training is introduced for two lessons a week in preparation for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) activities.
YEAR 9 TO 11 (IGCSEs)
At King William’s College, the Fifth Form is divided into three years: the Year 9 (Lower Fifth), Year 10 (Middle Fifth) and Year 11 (Upper Fifth). They are accommodated in the Raglan Fifth Form Centre in the very heart of the School and each year group has its own separate area. Each Fifth Former is assigned a tutor and the tutor stays with them for the whole of their time in the Fifth Form. The tutor plays a key role in the life of the pupil; they will meet with their tutees several times a week and they are the main point of contact for parents. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum in the Fifth Form, and most pupils study a total of 10 or 11 subjects to (I)GCSE level. All pupils take the subjects of:
- English
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
In Year 9 (Lower Fifth), pupils are taught a Science course which will lead them into starting their IGCSE’s in Biology/Chemistry/Physics in the Year 10 (Upper Fifth). Pupils will then choose one foreign language of ESOL, French, Spanish or Latin, and three additional subjects. The option blocks for these additional subjects will be determined following discussions at the Parents’ Evening in March and in subsequent consultations with the pupils. Depending on the pupils’ interests, these blocks will be made up of the following subjects: Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, French/Spanish/Latin (second language), Geography, History, Music, PE and Photography.
PRE-IB PROGRAMME (YEAR 11)
The aim of our Pre-IB programme is to provide our international students with the language skills and academic foundations to make a success of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Pupils successfully completing the year will automatically be offered a place to study the IB in our Sixth Form.
Pre-IB students will become members of the Fifth Form and will join Year 11 (Upper Fifth) tutor groups to help aid integration.
The Head of Overseas Pupils has responsibility for the Pre-IB programme and will oversee the choice of subjects, monitor academic progress and provide appropriate language support.
All Pre-IB students join existing (I)GCSE classes and study the (I)GCSE First Language and the (I)GCSE First Language English courses, which are specifically designed for them.
The (I)GCSE course is a two-year course which Pre-IB students join in its second year.
In addition to English and their native language, Pre-IB students join the Mathematics and Science classes. The Sciences are taught separately (Biology, Chemistry and Physics); due to the specific linguistic challenges of these courses, we would expect the Pre-IB students to take only one or two Sciences. Students then choose three additional subjects from a wide choice of options.
SIXTH FORM
In the Sixth Form (Year 12 & 13) at King William’s College, we provide an unmissable Sixth Form experience, bespoke to each and every student. Our three distinct academic pathways are tailored to students’ individual needs and ambitions as they start to look to life beyond senior school.
EXAM RESULTS AND DESTINATIONS
(I)GCSEs 2024
Our 69 GCSE/IGSCE Year 11 students achieved an overall pass rate (9-4 or A*-C) of 89%, with 41% of grades at 9-7 or A*-A.
Figures released by the Isle of Man Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) for (I)GCSEs in 2024 are 73% at A*-C and 20% A*-A.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA 2024
The year group of 35 students achieved a credible overall average of 31.3 points, which led to places at York, Loughborough and Leicester universities, with five students achieving 40 points or more and places at Durham, Cambridge and Bath. Fourteen students achieved 35 points or more.
KWC started teaching the IB in 2002. Universities appreciate IB students for their well-rounded skills, critical thinking, international perspective, and preparedness for the demands of higher education.
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS 2024
LEARNING SUPPORT
Learning Support at King William’s College aims to provide each student with an inclusive education, enabling the individual to feel that they have a valuable part to play within the academic, sporting, social and cultural environment of the school.
Early identification of students’ needs is vital and starts before transition to King William’s College through close liaison with the student’s primary school. Parents of children relocating to the Island or joining College from further afield are requested to state the nature of any difficulty on enquiry to ensure that College is able to put effective support in place.
The type of support offered is designed to suit pupil needs and may be given in a withdrawal setting, either individually or in a small group, in a lunchtime ‘booster’ class or, when possible, with in-class support taking place.
Teaching is aimed at improving areas of weakness, enabling students to cope with academic demands and maintaining their highest standard throughout all subject areas, so that the individual achieves their potential.
The school’s Learning Support Department is well-resourced with a variety of effective structured programmes of work and materials to develop skills and thereby enhance the self esteem of the individual through the progress they make and the encouragement offered.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
An education begins in the classroom, but does not end there. There is another dimension to a rounded education: the opportunities outside the classroom. Learning how to lead, how to contribute and how to build – we offer a vast array of opportunity to try new challenges to enrich the academic experience of all our students.
SUMMER TERM BOARDING EXPERIENCE
The King William’s College Summer Term Boarding Experience is a unique course which is held during the summer term. For three weeks in June, the Summer Term Boarding Experience provides an opportunity for students aged 14 to 16 to join a fully functioning school. The 2025 dates are June 4th to 25th.
The course is designed to empower students to taste boarding school life and discover if they would enjoy studying away from home long term. It offers intensive English tuition, with a range of other academic subjects, and total immersion into the School community. It is complemented by a full leisure programme of sports, activities and excursions.
EACH STUDENT WILL HAVE APPROXIMATELY 35 HOURS ENGLISH TUITION OVER THE COURSE, WHICH WILL AIM TO:
1. Improve spoken and written English.
2. Develop vocabulary.
3. Enhance listening and pronunciation.
4. Build confidence and fluency.
In the first week, students will attend English lessons in the mornings, followed by activities in the afternoon. In the second and third week, the students will be integrated into regular subject lessons with our current students, according to their age and ability.
Our Boarding Summer Term Experience is suitable for students who are preparing for IGCSEs, A levels or the IB Diploma, are thinking of entering a British boarding school, or looking for an interesting and rewarding holiday, whilst improving their English.
Places are limited.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
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