Pathways World School
Pathways world school, is an international school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education Program. The Pathways World School campus is located at Aravali Retreat, Off Gurgaon Sohna Road around 40 minutes from Gurgaon and 1 and a half hours from Delhi. The School is owned and run by the Jain family of Sarla Holdings.
Pathways Vision
To make Pathways a learning community of motivated students and staff engaged in ACTIVE learning through the best use of modern technology. To develop young individuals who think, question and are curious through enquiry based learning and project work. To create responsible global citizens utilising an international curriculum and principles of student-centred learning.
To impart world class education that shall foster academic excellence, physical fitness, psychological and spiritual health, social consciousness and concern for environment in each Pathways student through our own systems and practices.
Pathways Mission
It is our mission to BLEND the strong cultural fundamentals of the Gurukul heritage and other traditional systems with advanced modern Learning Tools, thus providing a new direction in world education. It is our mission to ensure that in a safe, tranquil, stimulating and intellectually challenging environment, all students shall have ample opportunity to:
Acquire habits of curiosity, reflection, mental flexibility, independence and self-discipline. Attain skills and attitudes which will fit them for life in the rapidly changing world of a new millennium Fulfill their academic, cultural, sporting and social potential, including the achievement of optimum academic results Maintain openness and respect in the face of racial, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity Develop a confident understanding of what they and other individuals can and should achieve for themselves, for the environment and for international society.
Academic System
The academic systems at Pathways follow a fourfold track: the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (Nursery to Grade 5), the Pathways Middle School Programme (Grade 6 to 8), the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (Grades 9 & 10) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (Grades 11 & 12). All the systems are international, relevant to the challenges of the 21st Century and accepted for entrance to first-class universities throughout the world.
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (Nursery to Grade 5)
The Primary stage of education is immensely important as it is here that the foundations of literacy, numeracy and other structures are laid down for future life. At Pathways we aim to nurture skilled, confident children who enjoy studying, care AbOUT others and can increasingly take responsibility for their own actions. We have high expectations both academically and socially: Leaders really can begin to emerge in Nursery! At the same time, childhood should be fun and as stress free as we can make it. The youngest children (and even adults) can often learn as much from guided play as from the formal curriculum.
At Pathways our methodology is always student-centred. In The primary school it is often possible to respond to a child’s individuality and his or her different talents (see ‘Multiple Intelligences: a Learning Tool’) in a readier way than in Middle and Secondary, where the curriculum is more formal and the demands of external examinations more immediate.
The maximum class size is normally 20, though on occasions this will be considerably less. Each class is taught by a trained, qualified graduate teacher supported by a teaching assistant. Children are viewed as individuals and whole class teaching is kept to a minimum. Students work in small, ever-changing groups which reflect their interests and abilities. Subject specialists teach Hindi, Music Art, Information Technology and PE. There is a wide range of co-curricular activities including, but not limited to Sport, Music, Theatre.
The Pathways Middle School Programme (Grades 6 to 8)
The PMSP builds on the structured, student-centred and enquiry-based foundation laid in the Primary School. The curriculum content of both the PYP and PMSP in English, Science and Information Technology is closely based on the Cambridge International Primary Curriculum and the National Curriculum (England) Key Stage 3. Mathematics uses the same source but also draws on traditional Indian excellence in that area. The curriculum in Social Studies and Hindi is also based on Indian syllabuses but is taught via our own methodology. Activities in Music, Dance and Drama will reflect our international ethos. Practical commitment to Social Action on behalf of those less fortunate than ourselves is a feature of our curriculum at every level.
All students have to take all the courses in groups 1,2 and 3. They choose two from group 4, students who require remedial English may take one.
This curriculum is approached through enquiry, developing what the students know into an exciting journey into knowing more - stimulating the students latent curiosity and honing the skills of research, expression, presentation and application. Students learn to share experiences, work in teams and transfer knowledge gained in one area to another through cross-curricular projects and themes.
Middle School Programme at Pathways World SchoolGroup 1
Group 1 Core Curriculum
English
Mathematics
Science
Group 2 Foundation Subjects
History
Geography
Information Technology
Group 3 Vocational Subjects
Art
Music
Drama
Physical Education
Life Skills
Design And Technology
Group 4
Languages
Hindi
French
Spanish
German (proposed)
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (Grades 9 & 10)
Cambridge University has been offering curriculum in India for over 100 years and the IGCSE examination is taken in 157 countries worldwide. The IGCSE is a two year course of equivalent standard to GCE O Level. There is strong emphasis not merely on information but on the learning of academic and practical skills. There is a current trend for prestigious public (i.e. independent) schools in the UK to adopt the IGCSE because it is more academically challenging than the national version. The IGCSE examination is taken at the end of Grade 10. Courses include: English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology Chemistry and Physics, Geography, History, Economics and Business Studies, Accounting, Art, Music, Computer Studies and Craft Design Technology. The IGCSE provides internationally recognised certification.
Cambridge IGCSE Structure at Pathways World School
English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and a Second Language are compulsory subjects. Students should then choose 5 more subjects. Students opt for 9 subjects in total. The final array has to include 2 subjects from Group 1 and at least one from each of the other Groups to qualify for an ICE Certificate. Other combinations can also be done in which case only IGCSE Certificate will be awarded. Some subjects reflect in more than one group to allow flexibility to students to form preferred combinations.
Group 1 Languages
English First Language
English Second Language
French Foreign Language
Spanish Foreign Language
Hindi Second/ Foreign Language
Self Taught language
Group 2 Sciences
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Management
Group 3 Humanities
Economics
Business Studies
History
Geography
Environmental management
English Literature - English Literature is compulsory
Group 4 Mathematics - All students do Mathematics. Some students are selected to take additional Mathematics as an extra subject
Mathematics
Additional Mathematics
Group 5 Electives
Art & Design
Design & Technology
Business Studies
Drama
Physical Education (new)
Information Technology
The International Baccalaureate Diploma (Grades 11 and 12)
Whereas Pathways World School currently offers the IB Diploma, it should be noted the majority of candidates who have sat for IB exams in the past have failed. Subsequently, the school's programme is currently under scrutiny.
The IB Diploma Programme is the most prestigious pre-university course in the world, designed to nurture academic excellence, civic responsibility, articulacy and international understanding. The IB Programme also develops superior analytical and study skills, so much so that many first-class universities allow an IB Diploma holder to enter Year Two of a four year bachelor's course, thus saving a full year's tuition fees. The IB Diploma is a two year course and the examination is taken at the end of Grade 12. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum which allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems including that of India, the Diploma is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of many.
The diploma is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the core. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). HL courses represent 240 teaching hours SL courses cover 150 hours. Distribution requirements ensure that the science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures.
Criticism
Pathways World School is often criticized due to its poor academic results. During the 2005-2006 school year, the majority of candidates who sat for the IB and IGCSE exams failed. It is often said that the students of Pathways World School do not have the academic aptitude requisite for the programmes offered and show little interest in studies due to which it is often difficult for them to clear exams. Also the administration is criticized for its ineptness as well as for not being able to retain teachers and also increasing tuition fees every year by almost 40%. Alcohol and [...] use in the school is also quite common.