Courtauld House

As we begin another exciting academic year our first priority is ensuring the pupils settle quickly into their newYear Group. Once they are settled and confident then we can begin to assess how they learn and revise and make good progress. Our broad syllabus will hopefully challenge and inspire them and there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to be excited about what they are studying.All subjects are taught by subject specialist teachers and the pace of the lessons are based on individual needs.

All lessons promote good learning behaviours and reinforce positive in-class habits alongside consolidation of their knowledge and understanding Independent learning is very much promoted with the introduction of chromebooks inYear 7 for all pupils All subjects will also focus on the basic reading, writing and numeracy skills that are so vital at this age Year 7 is the beginning of a 5 year journey towards GCSE and the skills the pupils learn in Courtauld House will lay the foundation for the step up intoYear 9

The pupils are constantly assessed both formally (through end of topic assessments) and informally (in daily lessons) and regular discussions take place to ensure pupils are at the right level and making the expected progress for them An online markbook also allows individual teachers, Heads of Departments,Tutors and the Head of Phase alongside the Director of Learning to keep track of each individual's level of attainment and progress Regular Departmental meetings also ensure individuals are discussed in each subject

Alongside the academic progress of each child we also monitor the wellbeing of each individual

The pastoral system and regular Phase meetings ensure all the pupils are discussed and any concerns are quickly raised Additional support and catch up opportunities are also available through the normal channels (SPM groups and 1 to 1 support alongsideTA’s in the classroom) and where we consider it necessary There are also plenty of opportunities for academic enrichment and extension

Year 7

What will they cover next term?

English Wonder by RJ Palacio Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Following the CLPE, Power of ReadingApproaches, children should enjoy the writing process and engage in challenging texts therefore encouraging a strong desire to learn.

To write creatively. Write accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information through writing for a wide range of audiences, including well structured formal expository and narrative essays and stories.

Weekly spellings and grammar usingTier 3 vocabulary differentiated accordingly

Accelerated Reader reading range assessments x 2

Maths Children will continue to consolidate known facts and further develop mathematical fluency New learning and revision will cover but not be limited to: consolidation of calculations involving the four operations and BIDMAS; multiplying and dividing decimals; perform calculations involving negative number; rounding to a given decimal digit; rounding to a given significant figure; revise equivalency and calculation of fractions, decimal and percentages, compare proportions; find a given percentage increase or decrease; apply the properties of number to solve problems; perform reflections, translations, rotations and enlargements across four quadrants; use letters and symbols to represent unknown variables and further consolidate knowledge of equations and expressions.

Science Year 7 will be following the Kerboodle Scheme of work that links in with the equivalent scheme studied inYear 9 and beyond at the Senior School Within this programme of study, pupils will improve experimental design, data handling and conclusion making In addition, they will be expected to make progress in the understanding and accurate use of scientific vocabulary Your child will have login details given to them at the start ofYear 7

Matter 1

The particle model, states of matter, changes of state, diffusion, gas pressure and inside particles

They will also learn about pure substances, mixtures and solutions, solubility, filtration, evaporation, distillation and chromatography

Organisms 1 (Mainly done on Chromebook)

The cellular nature of life, how complex organisms are built up from single cells compared to single celled organisms, the hierarchy of how a multicellular organism is composed (cell, tissue, organ, system, multiple systems), skeletal system in more detail along with muscles Structure of plant and animal cells, movement of substances into / out of cells, microscope skills as well as slide preparation

MFL: French Pupils will be following the Dynamo 1 online textbook. Topics include:

Greetings, numbers, age, family, birthdays, pets, sports, weather and free-time activities

Grammar includes:

Avoir / être verbs, forming questions / role-plays, near future tense

MFL: Spanish Pupils will be following the Viva 1 online textbook.

Grammar includes:

Consolidation of regular and irregular present tense.Asking and answering questions.

Topics include:

Greetings, age, numbers, character traits, family members, birthdays, pets, sports, weather and free-time activities.

MFL: German Pupils will be following the Stimmt 1 online textbook

Topics include: greetings, numbers, age, birthdays, home location, pets, St Martin's Day, Christmas traditions

Grammar includes: phonetics, pronouns, formula for regular verbs in the present tense, haben/sein, adjectives, connectives, intensifiers

Spelling Bee Stage 1

Latin An introduction to Latin and Life in Pompeii

The nominative and accusative cases; the present, perfect and imperfect tenses; daily life in Pompeii including houses, family, the theatre, slavery.

History Overview of the Medieval Period

To look at the chronology of the Medieval period and the way it influenced the formation of modern society

Who had the strongest claim to the throne of England?

Invasion in the North

Who will win:Anglo Saxon or Normans?

Why did Harold lose at Hastings?

Why are there different interpretations of the Battle of Hastings?

Was the harrying of the North necessary to keep control of England?

Why was the feudal system introduced?

What does the Domesday Book tell us about life after the Conquest?

Journey to the afterlife

How to get to the afterlife

Religion and ideas (19)

Religion and the Medieval world

Henry andThomas argue

Church vs State

Murder ofThomas Becket

Why wasThomas murdered?

Limits to Church power

Geography Geomorphological processes

Looking at the erosional processes responsible for the development of river landforms Geology and how rock type and weathering assist river formation

Understand why flooding occurs Case study:The River Severn

Environmental issues: The Rainforest

Pupils will look at factors affecting the rainforest biome, including sustainability of the rainforest and deforestation Case study:Amazon Rainforest

RS Who was Jesus Christ and how did his life have such an impact on the world?

Pupils will explore the key events of the life of Jesus Christ.They will be required to reflect and enquire as to why the life of one person has had such an enormous effect on not only our society and culture but the world as a whole. In this part of the topic they will consider general facts of Jesus, the chronology of his life with extra focus on events such as ‘The Baptism’and ‘TheTemptations’ and relate these messages and teachings to contemporary life.

Philosophy Curriculum

Using the P4C format pupils will engage in lessons that allow them to develop thinking and debating skills surrounding contemporary issues in society

DTE Focused Practical Task - Modern Lighting

Pupils will develop their understanding of contemporary product design and use this to support them designing and manufacturing their own desktop LED light They will acquire a variety of skills to complete this task including - design sketching, ComputerAided Design (CAD), electronics / soldering, intermediate workshop skills, finishing techniques, creating a brand and packaging design

Art Portraiture

Using Renaissance drawing techniques create a portrait investigating chiaroscuro

Computing Modelling data - spreadsheets

Pupils will learn how to manipulate data in a spreadsheet, moving from basic formulae into more complex functions as well as formatting techniques and graph creation

Cryptography

Pupils will discover the history of cyphers and code breaking, as well as how challenging it is to create their own secret code

Drama Murder Mystery

Build on the work done in earlier years and construct a more sophisticated murder mystery This will include suggestions for films/television as well as looking at the way these are constructed This will all be before the pupils make and present their own

Music Film Music

Astudy and composition unit exploring the use of Music in feature films Pupils will analyse film music from a range of genres, exploring how the music is used to enhance the viewing experience Pupils will work in groups to compose their own action film soundtrack

Keyboard Skills

Pupils will be set their own targets to improve their piano and keyboard skills, depending on their own ability As well as melodies and accompaniments pupils will learn riffs and chords used in contemporary music

The Musical elements

Throughout the term knowledge and terminology of the musical elements will be reinforced New elements are introduced including articulation and orchestration

PE In PE we will be taking part in both Swimming and Volleyball this term.This will commence with Swimming for girls until half term whilst the boys play Volleyball and then switch following HalfTerm. Please use the school's burgundy school bag for swimming.

PSHE Health & Wellbeing, Relationships

Topics covered include: What is Emotional Health? Coping with change; Forming Positive Relationships

Relationships & Sex-Education Sessions are offered (inc Puberty, Consent, Relationship Values, Signposting for further support)

Living in the Wider World, Relationships

Topics covered include: E-Safety, sharing digital information; regulating technology use and Online (Mis)Information with Social Media

Year 8

What will they cover next term?

English The Outlaws Scarlett and Brown by Jonathan Stroud

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Following the CLPE, Power of ReadingApproaches, children should enjoy the writing process and engage in challenging texts therefore encouraging a strong desire to learn

To write creatively To draw on knowledge of literary rhetorical devices from their reading and listening to enhance the impact of their writing

Weekly spellings and grammar usingTier 3 vocabulary differentiated accordingly.

Accelerated Reader reading range assessments x2

Maths Children will continue to consolidate known facts and further develop mathematical fluency New learning and revision will cover but not be limited to: revision of simplification, solving linear equations, grouping of like terms and substitution; solving simultaneous equations; describing a given sequence; finding the nth term of a sequence; use of mathematical equipment to construct polygons; solving problems involving interior and exterior angles; interpreting and plotting bearings from a given point and applying the correct formulae for the area and circumference of a circle

Science: Biology Year 8 will be following the Kerboodle Scheme of work that links in with the equivalent scheme studied inYear 9 and beyond at the Senior School. Within this programme of study, pupils will improve experimental design, data handling and conclusion making. In addition, they will be expected to make progress in the understanding and accurate use of scientific vocabulary.Your child will have login details given to them at the start ofYear 8.

Ecosystems 2 ( Photosynthesis)

Structure, function and adaptation of plant for photosynthesis

Water and nutrient uptake

Organisms 2 ( Organ systems and the effects of substances on the body)

Nutrients in food, the digestive system, enzymes, the heart, respiration, the effects of exercise, alcohol, drugs and tobacco on organs in the body

Science: Chemistry Matter 2 / Reactions

Elements,Atoms and compounds

PeriodicTable

Reaction formulae / equations both word and symbol. Reactions involving Group 1 and 7 of the PeriodicTable. In the latter part of the first half term they will move on to Reactions where they will study various reactions involving acids and metals.This topic will be completed by around Christmas.

MFL: French Pupils will be following the Dynamo 2 (tiered green and red) online textbook

Grammar includes: Past tense, irregular verbs, forming the negative Topics include:

Holiday activities, transport, time phrases

MFL: Spanish Pupils will be following the Viva 2 online textbook.

Grammar includes:

Present and near future tenses as well as the introduction of the preterite. Topics include:

Holidays, transport, free-time activities and food.

MFL: German Pupils will be following the Stimmt 2 online textbook

Grammar includes: phonetics, revision of present tense, perfect tense with haben/sein, imperfect tense using war, hatte, es gab Topics include: weather, comparing places ‘then’and ‘now’, holidays and travelling

Translation Bee Stage 1 in present tense

Latin The Trojan War

Revision of noun cases and verb tenses; the verb to be Key events in theTrojan War

Comprehensions and translations based on events in theTrojan War

History

Agricultural and Industrial Revolution

Why and how did agriculture change?

How did farming methods change?

Canals and the growth of towns

Mining and machinery

Dirt and disease in industrial towns

Cholera’s coming

Why was there so much crime in the cities?

Fact, fiction and forensic science

Britain – the workshop of the world

Project based on family links to history

Geography Tectonic Processes

Pupils will discover the structure of the Earth.They will explore why earthquakes and tsunami’s occur in particular locations, and how they affect the people who live there. Case studies: Haiti and Sumatra.

Settlement in HIC’s

Pupils will learn about pattern and function of settlements, and gain an understanding about how settlements have developed, and how this affects the people who live there Pupils will investigate the issues occuring in urban areas, and how these might be solved Case study: Ely

RS What is the significance of Christmas for Christians?

Pupils will explore the vast tapestry of symbols and traditions that are used and celebrated over Christmas. Most significantly we will look at the gospels, paying careful attention to the meanings and beliefs that are derived from these stories/scriptures.They will also differentiate between the secular and religious traditions/symbols whilst recognising the value they hold for members of our society regardless of belief.

Philosophy Curriculum

Using the P4C format pupils will engage in lessons that allow them to develop thinking and debating skills surrounding contemporary issues in society

DTE Designing for a client

Pupils will be set the brief to design and manufacture a contemporary birdhouse for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to be sold within their gift shops and their online platform

This will require students to use modern architecture as their design inspiration for their designs and will complete a detailed product analysis on similar existing products From this point, they will create a series of design solutions, which will lead into creating a scale card prototype model of their chosen idea Finally they will manufacture a full size working outcome which they will add an appropriate finish to

They will also look to create the branding for their new product and generate the launch advertising.

Art Michael Craig-Martin

Still Life study inspired by the work of Michael Craig-Martin

Computing Communication and Networks

Pupils will learn about the importance of computer networks in today’s digital world They will find out about the hardware needed to create a network and the different types of technology used to connect networks They will understand the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web

Drama History of Drama & a FinalAssessment

Alook at how the nature of performance has changed and evolved since the early Greeks. Pupils will also prepare (in groups) a final piece of work that utilises a lot of the skills they have learned over the course.

Music Music for Dance

Astudy of dance music from prehistory to contemporary dance Focused practical work using WestAfrican percussion will allow pupils to compose and perform together

Music Technology

Using iPads develop skills in composing, music theory, teaching their own lessons, researching and listening

The Blues and Rock n Roll

History and cultural context Pupils learn to perform in their own bands and study the cultural and political importance of Blues and Rock and Roll Music