At the end of grade eight, families choose. We offer a science combination, a business and commerce combination, and a general combination, and every child takes Dhivehi, English, mathematics and Islam whichever they choose.
How the choosing works here. There is a meeting for grade eight parents in the second term, then a written note home with what each combination leads to and what it does not, then a conversation with the class teacher for every family that wants one. We do not steer a child into science because their marks allow it. A child who is good at mathematics and hates it is not going to enjoy two years of physics, and we say so.
Grade ten is the examination year and it is run differently. Three full practice examinations, sat in the hall under real conditions, marked by the teachers against the real schemes, and returned with a breakdown by topic rather than only a total. Extra periods in the third term, and a written plan for the last six weeks for every child.
The timetable for every examination goes up three weeks before, on this site and on the board by the gate, and is sent home on paper as well.
The last two terms also cover the move. Children here leave us after grade ten and go to the school on the neighbouring island for grades eleven and twelve. We hold two meetings for families about the boat, the subjects offered there, and the hostel arrangement for children who stay over during the week.