Full Subject Based Banding

Ang Mo Kio Secondary School was one of the 12 secondary schools that piloted Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in 2014 to provide greater flexibility in lower secondary subject combinations. Under SBB, students who are passionate and perform well in certain subjects (English, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science) would be given the opportunity to offer them at a higher level. Since then, SBB has been rolled out to all secondary schools.

Ang Mo Kio Secondary School is of the 28 secondary schools selected by the Ministry of Education to pilot aspects of Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) since 2020. Full SBB is expected to be rolled out progressively to all secondary schools by 2024.

Purpose of Full SBB

With Full SBB, we are moving towards one secondary education, with many subject bands, to better meet our students’ learning needs. This is part of the broader shift in our education system to recognise the strengths and interests of our children, to help them build their confidence and develop an intrinsic motivation to learn for life in them. The MOE video link explains in greater details what FSBB is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMc_GispPmk&feature=emb_logo

Full SBB at Ang Mo Kio Secondary School:

1. OFFERING OF HUMANITIES SUBJECTS AT A MORE DEMANDING LEVEL FROM 2020

As part of the pilot, our school have implemented the offering of Humanities subjects at a more demanding level for students who are in Sec 2 Normal (Academic) from 2020, and Sec 2 Normal (Technical) from 2021, based on their performance and results in Sec 1.

2. RE-ORGANISING SECONDARY 1 FORM CLASSES IN NEW WAYS FROM 2021

This is applicable to Secondary 1 students entering our school from 2021

• Each form class may comprise students from the Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) courses.
• This common learning experience creates a valuable setting for students from diverse background and abilities to work together, build meaningful friendships, and appreciate each other’s strengths which will benefit them in life.
• The students will take a set of 6 Common Curriculum subjects together at lower secondary levels, namely Art, Character & Citizenship Education, Design & Technology, Food & Consumer Education, Music, and Physical Education. The Common Curriculum subjects are designed to ensure accessibility to all students. There will be common curriculum coverage and assessment tasks & rubrics that will allow all students to meet each subject’s requirements.
• For all other subjects, they will be grouped in classes according to the level at which they offer each subject, i.e. Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical).

For more information on Full SBB, you may contact us at: amkss@moe.edu.sg