A brief outline of the subjects you will be studying next year
Welcome to Portsmouth High School...
What follows now is a brief description of the subjects you will study in your first year. Also included is a mention of the time you should spend on your homework.
Pupils are encouraged to work in varied ways and there will be new opportunities to work in a broad range of media. Drawing will be the most important to begin with, learning how to observe carefully and feel confident in making marks to represent what you see. From this you will progress to colour theory and understanding how to create many colours from just a few. Projects will allow you to experiment in many forms, including printmaking, 3-D, textiles and wire. The most important aspect of art is learning how to develop your ideas, to look at and reflect upon the work of other artists abs discover new ways of working.
Computer Science
You will start the year by learning how to access the school network and IT systems from your own device. This will cover connecting to WiFi, sending and receiving email, organising your digital files in the cloud, and using Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Teams. You will then share your own personal experiences of digital technology with the class before exploring computer systems in more depth by answering the question “what is a computer?” Later in the year you will review computer programming fundamentals using interactive online learning tools such as Rapid Router.
Core Languages - French/Spanish
You will choose whether you wish to study French or Spanish at the end of Year 6 for the start of Year 7. In either language you will have the opportunity to develop your skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a lively and interactive way on topics such as yourself, your family, where you live, your daily routine and your free time.
Second Language Choice - Latin & Classical Civilisation
Second language: You will choose whether you wish to study French, Spanish or Latin and Classical Civilisation at the end of Year 6 for the start of Year 7. French and Spanish will be as per the core language description. In Latin and Classical Civilisation you will be studying Roman civilisation as well as developing your reading comprehension and translating skills based on a sound knowledge of grammar and vocabulary
Design Technology and Food
At PHS you will rotate once between design technology and food technology half way through the academic year. During your food lessons you will be asked to bring and prepare your own ingredients to experience cooking a varied range of dishes. You will learn the essential elements of efficient kitchen management as well as safe food storage and handling. In design technology you will be introduced to a variety of design and making techniques through a set of focused practical projects. You will use a range of tools and equipment to work with both wood, textiles and plastics. Workshop experience will be complimented by computer-aided design and manufacture to give you a good foundation for later study. There will be lots of opportunity for you to take home your completed project work. Your homework will include preparing your ingredients, undertaking research and completing design work.
Drama
Drama in Year 7 allows you to explore ideas and learn in a practical and creative way. You will learn to speak and move clearly and with purpose, and to work effectively with other people, listening to and sharing ideas. We will explore the key performance and character skills, improvisation and scripted work. You will also have an
opportunity to learn about the craft of drama and how lighting and sound can enhance your work. You will be set homework which will include such activities as research, drawing designs and storyboards, and commenting and reporting on your own work and the work of others. There is a drama club in Year 7, a Year 7 play and the opportunity to be involved in wider school productions including the school musical.
English
You have been learning English all your life: after all, most interactions you have with others involve speaking and listening skills. In Year 7 English you will have plenty of opportunities to express your ideas in discussions and in your writing. You will read, write and discuss, and in doing so gain an appreciation of the important ways in which literature and life intertwine. You will enjoy the wide range of books available to you in our fantastic library and enjoy studying texts in more depth. Much of your speaking, listening and reading will be in preparation for writing across a range of genres. This will include stories, poems, essays about characters in novels and topic work, all of which will help you to explore and extend language in more detail and appreciate a writer’s craft. In addition, one of your lessons will be based in the library, where you will learn how to use the library systems and practise the all-important skill of research.
Geography
Geography is all around us. From the places we live in, the landscapes we visit, the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear and the technology we use - geography helps you to make sense of our world. It gives you important skills that will help you to navigate this wonderful planet. In Year 7 you will get to know our globe and find out more about where you live here on the south coast as well
as investigating places further afield. You will gain confidence by using a range of resources and by working in groups, as well as on your own, to investigate the topics we cover. Year 7 will also include a visit to a local destination to practise your skills as a real geographer!
History
Was luck the reason why William won at Hastings? Did a simple misunderstanding lead to the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury? Studying History in Year 7 is not simply about learning facts by rote or writing reams of essays! In History, we shall be engaging with the past through enquiries, evidence and evaluation. This will enable you to understand more about the world in which we live today! Historians learn about the past in order to understand the present and the future.
Mathematics
You will use the number skills that you have already learned and apply them to a whole range of topics, most of which will be new to you. This will include lots of algebra, Pythagoras’ splendid theorem, indices, trigonometry, more complex probability questions and many more things besides. You may even have the chance to attempt some challenge questions leading to entry in the UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge. We aim to make you think more about the questions, and we really like it when you have tried hard to solve a problem, but you still got it wrong. Mathematicians learn by getting things wrong. If you find mathematics a struggle, then extra help can be obtained by attending ‘Open House’ which is held once a week during the lunch hour. This can also be used by those wishing to extend their knowledge and skills further – by getting harder questions wrong. There are also lunchtime activities on at various times throughout the year.
Music
In class lessons you will learn how music of all kinds is made up from the same elements. You will listen to music, sing, and play instruments. You are encouraged to bring your own instrument to lessons. You will also compose your own pieces of music. In Year 7, all pupils take part in the Year 7 Choir, which performs at many important school events including the Christmas Fair, Carol Service, Birthday Service, Gala Concert and the Summer Concert. Singers are also welcome to join the Music Theatre Club or Phoenix, our chamber group for more advanced singers. Instrumentalists are welcome to join the Symphonic Orchestra, Melody Orchestra, Flute Choir, Ukulele Group, and/or Jazz Ensemble.
Physical Education
You will have a single lesson and a double lesson of PE each week. To begin with, your form will be taught hockey, netball, gymnastics, dance and swimming. Later in the year you will do rounders, cricket, tennis, athletics and have tasters in badminton, table tennis, volleyball and basketball. You may already have experience in some of the activities but much of what you do will be new to you.
There is an opportunity for everyone to take part in competitive sport. We play inter-house netball, hockey, tennis, rounders, athletics, swimming and trampolining. We also have a full programme of matches against other schools. In addition there are clubs that take place before and after school and at lunchtime. All abilities are welcome and clubs are offered in the sports listed above plus football, fitness, taekwondo, boxing, golf, horse riding, climbing, sailing and yoga.
PSHEE
In your personal, social and health education lessons you will look at a range of general topics. To begin with, you deal with settling down in a new school, getting organised and managing your time and managing your money. Later you look at important issues such as bullying, healthy eating and smoking. Most of the lessons involve sharing ideas with one another which means that you will get to know each other even better.
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics
What is the meaning of life? How do we make difficult decisions? Religion, philosophy and ethics helps you tackle some of life’s tricky questions and introduces you to the various ways religious traditions have answered them. We do this to empower pupils to make their own decisions about complex issues within a global context. In Year 7 we learn about Christianity, looking at how Jesus is represented in art, evaluating the reliability of biblical sources, the relevance of prayer, if miracles are possible and whether or not we can solve the problem of evil and suffering. Pupils approach these topics honestly and creatively through class discussion and written work.
Science
Since experimentation helps us to discover about all aspects of science, your lessons will take place in a laboratory. You will work in pairs or small groups which will enable you to develop your practical skills. You will have the opportunity to use Bunsen burners and other apparatus in chemistry. As part of biology you will study living organisms, some so small you will need to learn to use a microscope, whilst in physics the sky’s the limit.
Bring Your Own Device
Each day you will need to bring into school your own tablet or laptop which you may be asked to use in any of your lessons. It is important that you bring your device to school fully charged each day. You should keep your device with you in lessons and ensure it is put safely in your locker when you cannot have it with you e.g. at lunchtime and in PE lessons.
Please note the times allocated for homework below.
If homework regularly takes you more than the time suggested, you should discuss this with your form tutor. It may be that you are not organising your time efficiently, in which case he or she can advise you or it may be that too much homework is being set.