History

Students in Year 7 are continuing their journey through British History and have now entered the Early Modern Period. Students are being introduced to source skills, with an investigation into whether Anne Boleyn was really a witch! Historians in Year 7 will also get an opportunity to investigate the Pendle Witch Trials in 1612, and to further practice their source skills with an enquiry into why the women were accused of witchcraft.

Year 8 historians are currently studying the Holocaust. Students began by investigating the history of Anti-Semitism and will then be looking at Anne Frank's life, as well as her diary, as evidence of the impact of the Holocaust. Students will then move on to a case study of the battles of Imphal and Kohima during World War Two.

Computing

This term, Year 7 students have been introduced to Python programming for the first time, learning how to control an interactive turtle.

Year 8 have been learning about design principles for creating a website and are now learning how to code a website using HTML.

Geography

Year 7 have completed a module called ‘Shaping the Land’ where they studied the different landforms created by rivers by erosion, transportation and deposition. They also practiced important OS map skills and should now know how to use grid references, compass directions and scale. They have moved onto a mini fieldwork module mapping noise pollution levels using GIS which combines technology and mapping skills.

Year 8 have completed a unit on Africa where they should have had their perceptions of the continent challenged and updated. They have also recently sat an assessment on tectonics so will have been revising hard at home. The next module for Year 8 is called ‘Creating Landscapes’ which is a physical module giving pupils greater knowledge of some of the processes that have shaped and created some of the spectacular scenery around the UK.

Design & Technology

Year 7 have been learning about woods, their properties and working characteristics alongside developing workshop skills including accurate marking out and cutting to make a wooden door wedge.

Year 8 have been learning about electronic components and circuits and have used practical soldering skills to make a colour changing USB lamp circuit.

Year 7 have been learning about healthy food choices by exploring Food Labelling. We have been examining the Traffic Light System and what this means in terms of RDI (Recommended Daily Intake). In practical lessons, we have been exploring different methods of cooking and have made pizza toast, pasta sauce and fruit muffins.

Year 8 have been learning about different kinds of raising agents and have looked at this through practical lessons, making both scones and pizza. Our assessment this term focusses on meal planning and pupils have made a Bolognese sauce and then looked at ways of making this into a family meal.

By now, not only should our Year 7 students be able to ask and answer questions about themselves in French, but also talk about their time at school. “Au collège, j’étudie le français avec Madame Dubois!” We can describe and give our opinion on the school uniform - “J’aime mon uniforme vert et noir.” It was great to hear at our recent Subject Feedback Evening that pupils feel so confident that they’ve started teaching you at home. Bravo!

We are really pleased with the progress our Year 8 have made using the present tense, opinions and reasons with confidence. We have also started describing photos - all essential skills of the French GCSE exam. Students may have come home talking about “crêpes” on 2nd February. We can only apologise, since the French celebrate la Chandeleur on that date as well as Mardi Gras later on this month. Miam, miam!

In Term 3, Year 7 students will be developing their language acquisition on the topic of free time, looking at the way the verbs ‘jugar’ and ‘hacer’ are used to reference different sporting activities. Students will be reading longer passages in Spanish, understanding more challenging texts and Will be challenged to develop spoken interactions, discussing their free time pursuits. There will be activities for students to demonstrate their understanding of grammar by using infinitive structures. They will also be expected to continue to show their understanding and use of a range of opinions that have been taught so far this year, both in written and spoken tasks.

Year 8 students will be discussing food and drink ítems, reviewing the use of opinion phrases and developing a wider range of opinions. They will be developing their grammar knowledge by using the infinitive verb with ‘gustar’ and will be able to order food and drink from a Spanish restaurant. Their cultural awareness will be shaped by discussions around cities in Spain and regional dishes and by the end of the term they will begin to have an understanding of using the near future tense to refer to future actions. It is going to be a very busy term!