Focus on Key Stage 3

These pages include details of the curriculum followed by Year 7 and 8.

A powerful way to help learning is to ask your son/daughter about the topics they have experienced and encourage them to talk about their understanding and interests with you.

English

Year 7 have thoroughly enjoyed their introduction to Shakespeare. Having witnessed the madness and mayhem in the woods of A Midsummer Night's Dream, they are now taking stock and reflecting on the key characters and on Shakespeare's dramatic techniques. As the topic comes to a close, they will be undertaking their first piece of extended drama analysis, focusing on the comical fight scene between Hermia and Helena and unpicking how Shakespeare creates comedy for his audience.

In Year 8, students are finishing S. E. Hinton's iconic account of teenaged life in smalltown 1950s' America. They have been drawn into the complexities of the story, in particular the struggles faced by those most marginalised in society. Identity is the key theme in English for this year group and students have been asked to explore how the various characters construct and perform their identities as teenagers on the cusp of adulthood. In response to their reading, they will be producing a piece of their own creative writing inspired by Hinton's work.

Maths

Year 7 have been applying their algebraic skills to geometry problems and finding the area and surface area of shapes.

We remind students that when we are finding area of a shape we are substituting values into a formula. It also means that we can use skills from solving equations to solve reverse problems.

Year 8 have been looking at calculating with percentages, we encourage students to use the multiplier method, i.e. to find 60% multiply by 0.6.

Year 7 have been looking at human reproduction and variation in Science lessons this term, looking at development and also how we are all different. Students have collated class data such as height and produced graphs showing the variation in the class.

In Year 8, students have been looking at elements and the periodic table, learning about different properties of elements and why they react in certain ways. We created models to show how the bonds between each different element creates a whole new compound, such as water from hydrogen and oxygen, or salt from sodium and chlorine.

History

During this term, students in Year 7 will continue to investigate persecution in the Early Modern Period. They are studying the English Civil War and will use primary source evidence to judge whether the rumours were true that Prince Rupert's dog Boy, was actually a witch! Their work will culminate with them judging whether the interpretation that witches were, 'withered and wild' in this period, is accurate.

Year 8 students have been investigating the Battles of Imphal and Kohima, which took place during the Second World War. They are judging whether the battles were significant in the context of the war, as they have largely been forgotten in British consciousness. They are using the '5 R's' of significance to do this.

Science

Geography

Year 7 have completed a module on migration with a particular focus on the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). It is one of the most sensitive issues in Geography, as pupils will explore the different reasons people migrate, including conflict and refugees. We have been impressed with the maturity and respect shown by all Year 7 classes.

Year 8 pupils have completed a module called creating landscapes, which allows them to understand the different processes that have created the spectacular scenery and landscapes of the UK. From the glacial landscapes of the North, through to the limestone caves of Cheddar Gorge and even our local Wealden Anticline. We also had a one-off lesson looking at potential career options within Geography and we hope that many of our pupils have chosen to take Geography at GCSE next year.

Computing

Year 7 students have been learning about the history of the Internet and how communications systems worked before the introduction of the Internet. They’ve also developed their understanding of what the Internet really is and how it works.

Year 8 students have been learning about the internal workings of computers, studying circuits and logic gates to help them understand how computers actually work and carry out tasks.

What are KS3 students learning in

Design & Technology

Year 7 students have been learning about metals, their properties and working characteristics alongside developing workshop skills including pewter casting to make a keyring.

This term, Year 8 students have been learning about different design movements including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Memphis and De Stijl, and using this as inspiration to design and make a lamp.

In this rotation, Year 7 students have been exploring both healthy eating and food science. They have been learning about gelatinisation and how this can be used to created different sauces. They used this information to make Macaroni Cheese.

Pupils have also been exploring the Eatwell Guide and looking at healthier recipes in their practical lessons. They have used this knowledge in making a healthy pasta sauce and fruit muffins.

Year 8 students have been examining the functions of ingredients, looking at raising agents. They have also been meal planning using balanced nutrition. Students have made a range of products in practical lessons including Fajitas, Quiche and Bolognese.

Year 7 have had a lot of fun talking about their hobbies. They have had opportunities to give and justify their opinion on varied sports and activities which they do in their free time. It’s great to make French lessons relevant to them, and accessible to all with the many cognates the topic brings: le tennis, le rugby, le basket, le foot. They are really impressing us with their spontaneity and engagement. Students in Year 8 learnt about leisure time too, perfecting their use of the perfect tense, a tricky element previously seen in Term 1. Then, we rounded up the term with a fabulous French day of ‘Histoire, Géographie, Théâtre, et Français, bien sûr!’ In the French session, pupils had the chance to play games from Mrs Fox’s childhood such as ‘le jeu des sept familles, les petits chevaux, le jeu de l’oie. Bravo!

Year 7 students are making excellent progress explaining what they study at school, expressing a range of opinions and describing people, including teachers! They are developing their understanding of how present tense verbs are formed in Spanish and how to develop their application of different verb forms, so they can improve their range of language. They are also getting to grips with some more complex language patterns, including understanding how adjectives agree with nouns and also looking at word placement.

In Year 8, students are taught how to order food like a native, using phrases including: ‘Para mí’ ‘Voy a querer’, ‘va a ser’ and ‘quiero’. Students should therefore be ready to head off to any Spanish speaking country and order food and drink. Year 8s are also learning how to form and use the near future tense, which is a really important area of grammar that they will need as they continue onto Key Stage 4. It is really exciting to see pupils engage with this part of the curriculum, as this means they are able to talk about their own future plans, as well as continue to develop their confidence in both spoken and written Spanish.

Physical Education

Students across both Year 7 and Year 8 have been exploring, developing and extending their understanding in a range of different sports that have given them confidence to perform as individuals and within a team. Students rotate on a 3-week carousel around; Badminton, Basketball, Dance, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rugby.

Year 8 are continuing to explore how to create tension and suspense through lighting, sound, language and vocal and physical techniques to convey a ghost story. They have created soundscapes, scary still images of the chamber of horrors and have been trying to frighten each other with their own spooky stories. They are now developing these narratives into devised pieces of theatre designed to make the audience feel uneasy.

Year 7 have been in the final stages of rehearsal of their Roald Dahl scripted extracts and have been performing these entertaining pieces in their Drama lessons. We have been really proud of their achievements and the confidence and enthusiasm that they have shown.

Art

Year 7 have now successfully finished their Mark Marking unit of work. They did so well and it was really special to watch them grow in confidence with the various tools and techniques we used. We have now started the Fabric Lenny scheme of work where we start to apply those skills we learnt in year 7.

We kick started the unit with a bird drawing using the mark making techniques we explored in our very first lesson in year 7. The outcomes were nothing short of spectacular with students really embracing the use of a wide variety of marks to make their birds look dynamic and exciting.

Year 8 are now starting to move into the Expressionist Portrait scheme of work. This sees students extending their knowledge and skill base to portraiture. Students start with extensive studies into the features of the face, spending a lesson each on eyes, noses and mouths through timed studies. Each lesson of timed studies is followed by a lesson where they do a sustained drawing over a single page of their book. This really helps students being to grasp the concept of observational drawing and the importance of looking closely at what you are drawing to achieve accuracy.

Music

In Year 7 we have been focusing on the ukulele. Students have been playing ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz and playing the chords alongside the song in groups. Students have been working on their group working skills as they have been working in practice rooms with groups of 6 to 7 students.

In Year 8 we have started to look at Film Music. We have analysed different genres of film and how they each use music differently and we are now looking at students writing their own film. They are exploring Garageband on the Macs and are developing their understanding on how music can change the genre/feel to a film from where the film is set to the emotions felt by the audience.

PSHEe

This Term, Year 7 students embark on learning about Relationships, Sex and Health Education. This develops on from the curriculum at primary school as PSHEe is taught in a spiral way. Our first secondary focus is Puberty which is part of Health Education, we will explore the emotions puberty provokes, young people’s growing sense of self and negotiating our journey into adulthood.

Students in Year 8 start a series of units on Healthy Lifestyles, building on the Drug Education work before Christmas on tobacco smoking and vaping, we will be exploring the importance of good food and its link to a longer and healthier life both in terms of physical and mental well- being.

Philosophy and Religion

Year 7 PRE students have been learning about care and compassion. They have been having interesting debates on how best to help others and they have reflected on different religious views. Looking at recent events such as Covid pandemic, they have explored how different religious communities (for example, Muslim and Sikh communities) have supported people in a variety of ways. Through lessons on the theme of friendship and sacrifice, students have also been asked to reflect upon the value of their own friendships and how to help each other.

In Year 8 PRE, students have continued their exploration of the importance of Jerusalem to world religions. They have also demonstrated deep compassion while studying views and beliefs surrounding the concept of an afterlife. The quality of their questions has shown high levels of engagement, thoughtfulness and a willingness to listen to, and respect, the views of their peers.