Curriculum
Vidya Niketan School follows the ICSE Syllabus till Std X and the ISC syllabus for Std XI and XII.
The school is divided into 3 Sections:
Primary school – Std I to IV, Middle School – Std V to VII, High School – Std VIII to X
The ISC section has three streams – Science, Commerce and Humanities
Subjects offered in Science Stream
- English (Compulsory) 2. Chemistry 3. Mathematics 4. Physics/Psychology 5. Elective (Biology / Economics / Computer Science / Art)
Subjects offered in Commerce Stream
- English (Compulsory) 2. Accountancy 3. Commerce 4. Math/Business Studies/Psychology 5. Elective (Economics/Computer Science/Art)
Subjects offered in Humanities Stream
General English is compulsory. Fine Arts is available as a subject. 1. Optional English / History 2. – Mass Media and Communication/ Political Science 3. Mathematics/Business Studies/Psychology 4. Economics/Computer Science/Art.
Section for Alternative Studies (SAS)
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- The section consists of four grade levels – Grade 7 to Grade 10. Students who enroll in the NIOS programme at VNS undergo a structured curriculum that aims at preparing the students to take the NIOS Board examination at the Grade 10 level. For students admitted into Grade 7, we offer a bridge program to prepare them for taking on the NIOS curriculum in Grades 8, 9 and10. However, students can be admitted directly to Grades 8 and 9 if they are found to have the requisite academic background which will be determined based on the results of the pre-admission entrance test.
Our program caters to students from the SSLC, CBSE and ICSE curriculum and as well as sports enthusiasts who would like to pursue their passion for a particular sport along with academics. The students get to choose five subjects from: English (mandatory subject), Data Entry Operations (Computers), Business Studies, Economics, Home Science, Social Science, Painting, Mathematics and Science, thereby preparing them to opt for the Humanities, Commerce or Science streams after completing Std 10.
Since its inception in 2002, our students who have graduated from VNS after having completed Grade 10 through the NIOS Board have been successful in getting admission to the Pre University courses in institutions like Christ College, CMR PU College, Francis Xaviers, Jyoti Nivas College, Jain College, Kingdom College, Mount Carmel College, Presidency College, Sindhi College, St. Claret PU College, St. Joseph’s College, and CBSE schools – Nagarjuna Vidya Niketan and Sindhi School. While a majority of our students have gone on to pursue their graduate studies in India, a few of them have continued into post graduation programmes in India and overseas.
IGCSE – International General Certificate of Secondary Education
IGCSE stands for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations. IGCSE course is a two-year programme designed for candidates aged 14 to 16 years, starting at the Class 9 level. Students taking IGCSE examinations will be gaining a qualification that is recognized globally.
IGCSE provides a broad and flexible study program and covers subjects from a variety of areas: Languages,
Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Creative, Technical and Vocational.
The Cambridge IGCSE subjects are grouped into five curriculum areas:
Group I: Languages
Group II: Humanities and Social Sciences
Group III: Sciences
Group IV: Mathematics
Group V: Professional and Creative
Learners must take two different languages from Group 1, and one subject from each of Groups II, III, IV and V. The seventh subject can be taken from any of the five subject groups.
At VNS, we offer:
Group I: Languages (First language, Second language and Foreign Language)
– English
– French/Hindi/ Sanskrit
Group II: Humanities and Social Sciences
– Economics/Geography/History
– Literature (English)
Group III: Sciences
-Physics (Extended)
-Chemistry (Extended)
-Biology (Extended)
Group IV: Mathematics
– Extended mathematics
Group V: Professional and Creative
– Cambridge Global Perspectives/ Computer Science
The Cambridge ICE certificate is a group award designed for schools that want to offer a broad curriculum. An important benefit that Cambridge ICE offers is that students can demonstrate competence across a wide range of subjects and skills. Students who qualify for the Cambridge ICE award will be placed in one of three categories:
Distinction- Grade A or better in five subjects and grade C or better in two subjects
Merit- Grade C or better in five subjects and grade F or better in two subjects
Pass – Grade G or better in seven subjects. Taught by skilled and experienced teachers who are Cambridge certified, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem-solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.
Montessori
The Montessori method of education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori an Italian Physician and Educator. Montessori method focuses on a child-centric educational approach.
The philosophy behind the Montessori Method is to empower young minds through experiential learning.
Montessori emphasizes on independence, freedom within limits and respect for a child’s natural psychological development.
Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on
learning and collaborative play. Its unique characteristics include:
- Mixed age classes
- Prepared environment
- Specially designed learning tools
- Repetition
- Movement
- Freedom of choice
- Independence & Confidence
- Respect for others
- Exploration
Montessori @ Vidya Niketan School
The Montessori classes were introduced at Vidya Niketan School in June, 2022. It caters the age groups of 4+ and 5+ and has a class strength of 25.
Each class is identified by names of birds.
Flamingo, Skylark, Nightingale, Peacock, Robin and Canary.
The syllabus comprises five areas of learning, which includes:
- Exercises in Practice Life
- Sensorial
- Language
- Arithmetic
- Culture
Children are also exposed to varied extra-curricular activities.
To instill a sense of uniformity and discipline children wear specially designed uniforms while ensuring comfort.
Teaching methodologies
Vidya Niketan School constantly tries to expose teachers to new techniques in the teaching-learning process. It helps in making the subjects interesting. It also helps in understanding the difference between true-learning and rote-learning.
Teaching Methodologies
- Mind mapping – a technique which enhances memory through visual representation
- Project-Based Learning – A student-centered activity where students learn through research and reference
- Group Work – Students learn by collaborating as a team. This method not only encompasses a new approach to learning, but also teaches team work and collective responsibility to students
- Flipped Learning
- Self-Learning
While teachers are encouraged and trained in new teaching methodologies, students are also taught the skill of introspection, self-awareness and goal-setting.
Students are helped in doing the above by:
Students are given an opportunity to self-evaluate their own answer papers after an examination. This helps them identify their mistakes. Introspection happens during bench-marking when students analyze their strengths and weaknesses in a subject. They also understand the changes that need to be incorporated in their learning strategies. This awareness helps the students to set realistic goals for the next examination.
Faculty
- Teacher:Student Ratio – 1:12
- All teachers are trained graduates or post-graduates
- All teachers are trained in the use of technology in the classroom and are also trained in the use of the various teaching methodologies employed in the school
- Many teachers have been sponsored to complete the CIDTT Program(Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers)
Extra-curriculum
Inter-School activities
The school encourages participation in many Interschool activities including Literary, Cultural, Creative and Sports Competitions.
Bangalore Model United Nation
Students of the ISC section plan and execute BMUN – an annual inter school event in which students from different schools participate. The event is conducted on a Global level where International Schools also participate. Visit http://bmun.in
Internship Programs for Students of Std 11
Students of Grade 11 work for four weeks during summer to gain practical experience in a corporate field, industry or NGO.
Workshops
Regular workshops are conducted for teachers and students to enhance teaching and learning skills. Workshops are also held to ensure the All-Round Development of the students,
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To make the faculty aware of new teaching methodologies and practices both for academic purposes and classroom management.
Workshops are also held to ensure the All-Round Development of the teachers.
Life Skills
Student Council
We have many students who take up leadership roles and ensure precise execution of duties. They share the responsibilities and thereby underline our belief in “Cooperation over Competition”.
The student council comprises of six committees – Assembly; Safety and Security; Transport; Sports; Community Service and Cleanliness; and Literary and Cultural. Each committee consists of one elected representative from each of the Four Houses.
Student Council elections are held once a year and the Committee Heads of each of the sections are from Std IV, Std VII, Std X and XII.
All the members of the school, including the teachers, belong to one of the four Houses. The Houses are named after four Indian sages:
Vishwamitra
Vasishta
Vyasa
Valmiki
Members of the Student Council 2022-23 –
Junior School
Members of the Student Council 2022-23 –
Middle School
Members of the Student Council 2024-25 – Senior School
The Investiture Ceremony 2024-25 successfully inducted the newly selected members of the School’s prefectorial board on 31st January 2024. The new members of the student’s council were handed over the flags as they took the pledge to uphold the values and code of conduct of Vidya Niketan School.
Support Room
“If I can’t learn the way you teach can you teach me the way I can
learn?”
This is the question that the Special Educators are responding to in the learning support room. With the firm belief that every child can learn, our special educators extend support to students of the Primary and Middle School who have varied learning needs. They work with students, individually as well as in small groups, to meet their learning requirements.
Counselling
With the aim to promote the well being of our students we have a counselor on site to meet their educational, emotional, social and physical needs. The counselor works in collaboration with students, parents and the teachers to examine difficulties or problems being faced, helps them to acquire a clearer and acceptable view of the problem, identifies useful coping strategies that the child already has and also enhance them.
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