EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION SCS

SCS is an inclusive school. This means that we provide education to all students, including those who are at different levels in the same classroom, requiring teachers to differentiate.

LOWER FORMS

When students complete primary school, they will be placed in either Form 1 or PrO 1 at SCS, based on cognitive test results and teachers’ recommendations.

Curriculum Overview for Lower Forms (Forms 1–3)

During the first three years at Saba Comprehensive School (Forms 1 to 3), students follow the CCSLC curriculum (Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence) for six core subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science, Digital Literacy, and Spanish. The CCSLC program emphasizes the development of essential skills, attitudes, and values that all secondary school students should acquire. It is designed to be flexible and accessible to students with a wide range of abilities. Students are required to complete five School Based Assessments (SBAs) per subject area and are assessed by an external exam when they have demonstrated readiness, typically by the end of Form 3 or earlier if they meet the required standards.

In addition to the CCSLC subjects, students also follow several mandatory courses:

• Dutch
• English Literature
• Saban History
• Physical Education (PE)
• Career and Guidance (C&G)
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) (Form 1 & 2)
• Personal Life Management Skills (PLMS) / Gardenening
• Technical Science
• Artistic and Cultural Education (ACE)
• Introduction to History and Geography (I2H&G)
• Introduction to Business (I2B)

At the end of Form 3, a transition decision is made for each student. This decision is based on:

• report card grades
• student’s interest
• teacher recommendations

PRAKTIJKONDERWIJS (PrO)

Practical Education (PrO) is a program that combines basic academic instruction with hands-on, vocational learning. The primary aim of PrO is to equip students with the social and practical skills needed to enter the workforce and participate effectively in society.

For some students, the program also opens pathways to continue their education at the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) level 2.

In addition to academic work and extensive practical training, students will engage in job training once they are deemed ready. The PrO program is tailored to each student’s talents, interests, and individual needs, allowing them to develop at their own level and pace, and to explore careers in areas that match their personal strengths.

UPPER FORMS

Academic Department

· Students in the Academic stream prepare for the CXC CSEC Examinations, which are taken at the end of their secondary education. As part of the examination process, students begin completing School-Based Assessments (SBAs) in Form 4. These SBAs are an important component and contribute to their final CSEC exam results.

· For the subject Dutch, students take the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT) examination.

· In some cases, and based on teacher recommendations, a student’s readiness, and their attitude and aptitude, students may be allowed to take certain CSEC examinations as early as Form 4.

VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT

The Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) is a competency-based certification system that focuses on practical skills, industry standards, and applied learning. It combines structured training, continuous assessment, and certification. Students in the Vocational stream may choose to pursue CVQ Level 2 qualifications in either General Construction or Community Hosting Services, starting at the end of Form 3. Assessments for these programs are conducted continuously over Forms 4 and 5 and are aligned with the standards of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (OCW), TVET, and CXC.

In addition, vocational students may also be eligible to take CSEC examinations, depending on their readiness, motivation, aptitude, and teacher recommendations. If students demonstrate sufficient ability and commitment, they may begin preparing for CSEC English Language and CSEC Mathematics in Form 4.

Other subjects offered in the vocational stream include:

• Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM)
• Physical Education & Sports
• Elective: Technical Drawing/Spanish/English Literature/Visual Arts

Dutch remains a compulsory subject, with students taking an exam at either A2, B1, or B2 level (CNaVT), depending on their proficiency.

CVQ CANDIDATES

Students become eligible for the CVQ program after successfully completing the CCSLC program and meeting the promotion requirements for vocational education.

CVQ candidates are trained and assessed in specific units of competence, which represent key skill areas within their chosen field. Subject teachers who are specially trained for this purpose provide instruction and conduct continuous assessments. Once a candidate is considered ready, a certified assessor evaluates their performance.

Competency must be demonstrated in practical, work-based activities, which may take place:

• in a classroom setting
• through simulations in the school’s workshop or lab
• or in real workplace environments

Candidates may be assessed multiple times, as needed, until they successfully demonstrate competence in all required units. The CVQ certificate is awarded once all prescribed standards have been met.

CVQ ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The assessment process follows the CXC Assessment Policy and adheres to the school’s Certification Policy, which outlines procedures to ensure students are certified in accordance with national guidelines. These policies are available on the school website.

Assessments are based on evidence gathering and professional judgment of a candidate’s learning outcomes and competencies. Common assessment methods include:

• Simulations
• Practical demonstrations
• Oral questioning
• Written tests
• Testimonials
• Projects
• Portfolios of work