Full Subject Based Banding

Learn about Full Subject-Based Banding at Westwood and how it supports students in pursuing their strengths, interests, and learning needs through greater flexibility and choice.

Last updated 29 July 2026

Westwood Secondary School is one of 30+ secondary schools which will implement Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) from 2023.

Purpose of Full SBB

Full SBB is part of MOE’s ongoing efforts to nurture the joy of learning and develop multiple pathways to cater to the different strengths and interests of our students.

By 2024, secondary schools will have implemented the following aspects of Full SBB:

Offering of Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 2; and
Mixed form classes with the provision of a common curriculum.

Full SBB in Westwood Secondary School in 2023

Overview

Aspect of Full SBB	How will this aspect be implemented?
Offering of Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 2	Currently, secondary school students can offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One based on students’ PSLE Achievement Level (AL) for each subject. Beyond the start of Secondary 1, students may also offer these subjects at a more demanding level based on their performance in secondary school. Our school will also provide Secondary 2 students the opportunity to take Humanities subjects at a more demanding level, if they meet subject-specific criteria. This is applicable to students who are in the Secondary 2 Normal (Technical) course from 2023, and students who are in the Normal (Academic) course from 2024. The criteria for taking Humanities at a more demanding level will be based on students’ aptitude for and interest in these subjects at Secondary 1. They should also possess positive attitude towards learning and strong commitment to offer the subject at a more demanding level.
Mixed form classes with the provision of a common curriculum	Our school will implement mixed form classes starting from the Secondary 1 cohort of students entering our school in 2023. The 2023 cohort of Secondary 1 students will be grouped in mixed form classes, comprising students from different courses of study. Mixed form classes present more opportunities for students to interact with other students taking different subject combinations, and with different strengths and interests. In their mixed form classes, students will take a set of subjects at a common level, amounting to about one-third of curriculum time. This would allow students in mixed form classes to spend curriculum time together in these subjects. These subjects are: Art Character and Citizenship Education Deign and Technology Food and Consumer Education Music Physical Education Teachers will adopt a range of teaching approaches to meet the different learning needs and pace of their students in the same form class. English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, and Science will continue to be offered at Express Level, N(A) Level, and N(T) Level. The criteria for taking these subjects at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One is based on students’ PSLE AL Score for each subject. Students will be grouped in different classes based on their subject level for each subject.

Aspect of Full SBB

How will this aspect be implemented?

Offering of Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 2

Currently, secondary school students can offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One based on students’ PSLE Achievement Level (AL) for each subject. Beyond the start of Secondary 1, students may also offer these subjects at a more demanding level based on their performance in secondary school.

Our school will also provide Secondary 2 students the opportunity to take Humanities subjects at a more demanding level, if they meet subject-specific criteria. This is applicable to students who are in the Secondary 2 Normal (Technical) course from 2023, and students who are in the Normal (Academic) course from 2024.

The criteria for taking Humanities at a more demanding level will be based on students’ aptitude for and interest in these subjects at Secondary 1. They should also possess positive attitude towards learning and strong commitment to offer the subject at a more demanding level.

Mixed form classes with the provision of a common curriculum

Our school will implement mixed form classes starting from the Secondary 1 cohort of students entering our school in 2023.

The 2023 cohort of Secondary 1 students will be grouped in mixed form classes, comprising students from different courses of study. Mixed form classes present more opportunities for students to interact with other students taking different subject combinations, and with different strengths and interests.

In their mixed form classes, students will take a set of subjects at a common level, amounting to about one-third of curriculum time. This would allow students in mixed form classes to spend curriculum time together in these subjects.

These subjects are:
Art
Character and Citizenship Education
Deign and Technology
Food and Consumer Education
Music
Physical Education

Teachers will adopt a range of teaching approaches to meet the different learning needs and pace of their students in the same form class.

English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, and Science will continue to be offered at Express Level, N(A) Level, and N(T) Level. The criteria for taking these subjects at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One is based on students’ PSLE AL Score for each subject. Students will be grouped in different classes based on their subject level for each subject.