Curriculum Newsletter

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 Introduction

We would like to take this opportunity to say welcome back after the Christmas break and to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

We have a busy term ahead, packed with different ideas and opportunities. Pupils aged 14-19 have been enjoying the new ‘Options’ for some of their curriculum and will be able to make some new choices this term with the introduction of Horticulture and Spanish to the timetable. We expect to be making full use of the swimming pool this term and would like to thank both parents and students for their patience and understanding whilst we were unable to use it last term.

Each subject has listed details of the topics being covered this term and, where appropriate, included homework opportunities. If you feel that you would like more individualised homework for your son or daughter, please let us know.

Class Dojo continues to be a popular and successful means of Home School communication for many families. If you would like help to get set up on this, or just need a code, please let us know. Our new website will be finalised this term and will include photographs of pupils enjoying a range of lessons and activities both in and around school. We have booked a professional photographer who will also be taking individual photographs for families on request.

Maths Following on from the hard work completed in the Autumn Term, we have lots of exciting things planned in Maths for the Spring, when the topics covered will be ‘Economic Activityincluding paid and unpaid work’ for Post 16, and ‘The Countryside’, for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4, and Fusion and Flair.

Spring is the perfect time to start a topic which relates largely to being outside. We will use the theme of the countryside to help us focus on the different elements of measuring, thinking about height, weight, distance etc. There will certainly be opportunities for outdoor learning, and hopefully we will be able to incorporate some offsite visits. Measure is a topic where skills can easily be developed at home. You can help by trying the following with your child:  Weighing and measuring ingredients for baking, asking them to read the scale on a measuring jug, making the number on the scales match the number in the recipe.  Looking for prices on items in the shops, including percentages, weights and reductions  Identifying the weights or quantities on food packaging  Carrying shopping bags, discussing which is heavier and lighter  Going for walks in the woods finding and ordering leaves, trees, fences which are longer and shorter than others  Discussing distance of car journeys and how long they may take, why a shorter journey may take longer than a longer journey. Exposing your child to language like ‘miles per hour’ and ‘miles per gallon/litre’  Exploring ‘warmer’ and ‘cooler’, ‘more’ and ‘less’.

Post 16 pupils can be supported at home in the following ways:  Encouraged to identify banks and building societies on the high street.  Opening bank accounts and being encouraged to budget their own benefits, birthday or pocket money.  Discussing the language heard in adverts for banks and building societies.  Browsing job adverts online or in newspapers.

1

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019  Looking at wage slips, tax returns or bank statements.  Discussing jobs with family members.

This school year we have been lucky to be able to send a number of pupils to Woodchurch High School to study Maths at GCSE level. They completed their mock exams at the end of the Autumn Term and will continue to work towards this in the spring.

Mrs Dunn English This term, pupils will be working on their literacy and communication skills through the whole school topic ‘Musicals’. Pupils will focus on drama and poetry. They will practise their speaking and listening, reading and writing skills while joining in activities such as listening and completing lyrics from musicals or watching and discussing videos from musicals, as well as joining in role-play activities.

Some pupils will also develop research skills by going on the Internet to find information about musicals such as when and where they are on and how to make bookings. In addition, KS4 and Post 16 pupils will continue to work on AQA Step up to English Accreditation as well as units towards the AQA Unit Award Scheme.

Flair pupils will work on My Communication, following their informal curriculum with a multi-sensory approach. Learners will focus on the theme ‘Magic Carpet Rides’ and they will explore sensory stories, songs and poems related to this topic.

Learners in Team are following a semiformal curriculum, based mainly on practical activities. Pupils will develop their communication skills during offsite visits, where they will have the opportunity to improve their receptive and expressive language as well as their interaction skills i.e. through giving and following instructions, planning for what they need for their activities or reflecting on what they could improve.

Homework ideas This term we are promoting a reading culture within school as well as at home. All pupils are expected to continue with their on-going reading practice in school and/or at home. Purple Mash books Serial Mash can also be accessed online, from home. If you are interested in these, please get in touch to request your child’s login details.

Mrs Ubeda

Science Key stage 3 and 4 pupils are taking part in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Biology, pupils will be learning about animals, including humans, looking at what they learnt last term about humans and their different body systems and how they are similar and different to other types of animals.

In Chemistry, pupils will be learning about States of Matter, looking at heating and cooling. Pupils will be able to investigate how materials/objects melt or freeze and if they are reversible or irreversible changes.

In Physics, pupils are learning about Forces and Magnetism, looking at what forces are in terms of pushes and pulls. They are investigating how different forces affect different objects from cars, planes and balls. They will also be looking at magnets and how they affect objects, what makes magnets work and different materials that are attracted to magnets.

2

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 Art This term, the Art topic is inspired by the Cross Curricular theme Musicals / Musical Instruments. Pupils will learn about abstract art through Cubism. They will be looking at works by the main founders of this art movement Picasso, Braque and Gris. They will work towards completing a mixed media still life painting in the manner of Cubism.

Ms Hoffmann Careers In Careers this term, pupils in Key Stage 3 will be learning how different jobs can affect a person’s physical and/or mental health. They will be learning strategies to support themselves and others in a workplace so that they can maintain the best levels of wellbeing – whether they are working or they are in someone else’s work place. We will use role play to develop communication skills and for pupils to learn appropriate ways to deal with stressful situations, using adult modelling. There will be lessons in how the Law protects people with disabilities and what that looks like for different jobs and employers.

Key Stage 4 and Post 16 students will be learning all about the wide range of different options in education, employment and training open to them when they leave Meadowside. There are opportunities for parents to support by taking their son or daughter to one of the Open Days at local colleges; flyers have been sent home. We will also be preparing for our Skills Week. This year it will take place in the last week before the Spring Break and the theme is Sports and Wellbeing. Pupils will learn all about careers in the Sports and Leisure Industry and how this supports everyone’s’ health and wellbeing.

Ms Goalen Citizenship Pupils will be focusing on Rights and Responsibilities, with KS3 pupils considering the differences between needs and wants. They will look at their online responsibilities and identify aspects of eSafety that they need to be aware of when communicating online.

KS4 pupils will look a little deeper into the UN Convention of The Rights of the Child and look at the freedom and liberties enjoyed by many in the UK. Students in Post 16 will take this further afield and learn about human rights and international law. They will find out about actions that can be taken in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions locally, nationally and beyond.

Mrs Hughes Computing Pupils in all Key Stages will be putting Coding skills into practice, with the BBC Micro:Bit computers. These palm sized devices are fully programmable computers, allowing pupils the opportunity to develop creative ideas with technology. They will be linking in with the activities available on the Hour of Code website, developing skills in block coding, leading to actual Java Script. The 3

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 Micro:Bit can be attached to other items, such as cardboard robots and is able to display LED lights, control mini vehicles, be wearable tech like a steps counter plus much much more.

Students in Post 16 will continue their AQA Accreditation on a unit called Making a Sign, using Publisher to arrange text and graphics to good effect.

Mrs Hughes D & T KS3- Continuing with the theme Musical Instruments/Musicals, pupils will be designing and making puppets to perform a scene from a favourite musical. Pupils may choose to work as a whole group or divide into smaller groups.

Group 14-16: Pupils who choose this option will be working towards building a portfolio for their GCSE Art qualification. Pupils will be doing a unit in 3D Art that will go towards their Art GCSE. Pupils who started last year will be completing their final year in this course.

Enterprise 14-16: Pupils will be working on producing Easter products to sell at the Enterprise Showcase in March. They will also be exploring new avenues to sell their products. Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed e.g. pop up shops, market stalls.

Textile Option 14-16: Pupils will be learning different forms of embellishing Textiles. They will be felting, screen printing, silk painting, transfer printing etc. All samples will be made into products.

Pupils will use simple sewing techniques, machine sewing and the embellisher machine.

Ms Hoffmann Environmental Education Students who select this option will be focusing on Food and Farming, which will link into the work covered in Horticulture lessons. They will be planting and growing food, including tending to the school Kitchen Garden. There will be an opportunity to visit local farms offering ‘pick your own’ produce and make saleable items such as yoghurt or jam. They will consider how farming today is sustainable and look at farms that have diversified, such as Farmer Teds or Greenacres that have become tourist attractions.

Mrs Dunn History This term, pupils will study the Norman Conquest, from 1066 and the impact upon British life. This covers the building of many of Britain’s castles, built to protect against retaliation from the Saxons. Pupils will learn about the battle for the throne, between Harald, Harold and William, resulting in victory for William after the Battle of Hastings.

They will also be studying the Black Death, the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses.

Mrs Hughes 4

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 Geography Pupils will be comparing two places, understanding geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country. They will compare weather, culture, food and features of each location.

History and Geography lessons for all KS3 groups will be taught by Mrs Brown, newly appointed this term. Mrs Ubeda will continue to deliver one lesson for Acorn group too.

Mrs Hughes

Life Skills KS3 Acorn, Beech, Chestnut & some of Fusion Helping others: Fair Trade ILS lessons will involve learning about Fair Trade: What is Fair Trade? Why buy Fair Trade? Who and how does it help? The National Fair Trade event will be incorporated into the lessons. Activities will relate to Fair Trade and learning about and supporting an associated charity.

KS3 Elm & some of Fusion Human Senses; sight, hearing and taste Lessons involve learning about the different senses and activities related to them.

Post 16 World Foods, Fair Trade and charity This term pupils will be developing ideas for Fair Trade week, when they will make and sell a range of food to sell and profits will support a charity that supports projects associated with Fair Trade initiatives.

Post 16 will also be developing their practical cookery skills by using eggs, finding out and making a range of multicultural world foods.

Post 16 are also completing their AQA accreditation that they commenced last term.

Mrs Jones

5

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 MFL This term in French, learners will explore vocabulary relating to towns and shopping. At an appropriate level, they will participate in different activities such as describing their town, comparing English and French towns, learning the names of different shops and products they might find in them and role-playing going shopping in French.

Spanish Club will continue to be at lunchtime on Fridays.

Homework ideas Independent study resources to practice pronunciation and vocabulary: · www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primarylanguages · http://www.french-games.net/ · http://primarygamesarena.com/Subjects/French · http://www.digitaldialects.com/French.htm · https://www.languagesonline.org.uk/French/Primary/En_Ville/Index.htm Mrs Ubeda Music Pupils will be studying the orchestra and the different instruments that make up the four families of the orchestra. Pupils in KS3 will have the opportunity to visit Liverpool Philharmonic Hall after following this year’s scheme of work ‘Sound Values’, based on British Values. The scheme follows a timeline of classical music

Pupils will be encouraged to listen to the pieces and to consider the meaning or context behind each piece. Pupils in KS4 and Post 16, if Music is selected as an Option, will be completing a unit of accreditation on percussion instruments, in conjunction with the pieces from ‘Sound Values’. We are also hoping to learn all of the songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’, to sing and sign.

Mrs Hughes

6

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 PE All of Key stage 3 pupils along with both Fusion and Flair pupils are taking part in gymnastics this term. Pupils will be exploring rolls, movement, balances, jumps and slides while linking these moves into simple or more complex sequences or routines with a start point and end position, with pupils looking more at aesthetics (how they look, while taking part). They will learn how to jump and roll safely.

Key Stage 4 pupils are taking part in net and wall games, looking at badminton. They will be learning how to set up a court safely, while also learning how to hold the equipment correctly, hitting a shuttlecock to others, hitting over a net, learning the rules, playing games, keeping score and working with others.

Post 16V and P16C Pupils will be taking part in basketball, looking at playing full games, shooting/throwing with consistency and accuracy, taking turns, learning about the rules of the games and time keeping/scoring.

Mr Stubbs SWIMMING All Key Stage 3 pupils will have 1 lesson of swimming a week, with Key Stage 4 and Post 16 pupils having the choice of swimming as part of their options twice a week. Pupils will learn about all four strokes, breathing techniques and safety in the pool area, with 14-19 groups also learning some lifesaving techniques.

Flair and Fusion pupils have 2 swimming lessons a week. The focus will be on working with others, water confidence and relaxation. There is a weekly swim, on a Wednesday, led by the Physiotherapists for those pupils who would benefit from physiotherapy in water.

Mr Stubbs

PSHE The topic of the term in PSHE is ‘Risk’. In Key Stage 3, pupils will be learning about the meaning of the word and how it relates to the word ‘safety’. They will be learning lots of different ways to protect themselves from risk which could lead to physical, emotional or mental health damage. Pupils will learn how other people and situations can protect them and how they can learn to predict risk before it happens, putting things in place to prevent any harm. They will learn about how statistics of different kinds of risks are used to help people understand where the biggest risks lie in different environments.

Older pupils in Key Stage Four and Post 16 are extending their knowledge of risk by looking at how it affects their freedom, liberty and democracy. Most pupils are learning on a carousel alongside Health Services in Schools (HSIS) who are continuing their work on Sex and Relationship Education. Our HSIS deliverer will be supporting the work on risk by teaching pupils how to protect themselves from harm within emotional and physical relationships; where appropriate, this may include protection from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. They will learn about modern day slavery alongside the different levels of freedom allowed to different groups of people in different countries.

Ms Goalen 7

Curriculum Newsletter Spring 2019 RE

KS3 Religious Explorers: Buddhism Lessons will involve learning about Buddhist symbols & their importance, beliefs and festivals that include Chinese New Year and the Chinese horoscope.

Lessons and activities will be adapted to meet the differing needs and abilities of pupils across Key Stage 3.

KS4 Beliefs and Practices The topic this term is based upon the six main religions: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism. Beliefs, practices, places of worship and festivals will be studied and compared.

KS4 students are also completing their AQA accreditation that they commenced last term.

Post16 Beliefs and Practices Post 16 students will be studying aspects of the six main religions, as in KS4. Beliefs, practices, places of worship, religious requirements and festivals will be studied and compared. Beliefs of existence of God and/or spiritual leaders and good versus evil will also be explored, by looking at representations in the media and in discussions.

Post 16 students are also completing their AQA accreditation that they commenced last term.

Mrs Jones

8