Curriculum Information II Group
Curriculum Information II Group
Year 8
The School follows a two-week, 60 period timetable.
Each period is 50 minutes long.
Students are taught in mixed ability group settings except for mathematics and English where groups are set based on ability.
In II Group homework is set for up to 90 minutes per night (with up to 45 minutes per individual subject task.)
Below you will find a summary of the main topics covered in II Group, the name of the Head of Subject and an indication of the number of periods students have for each subject per fortnight.
Hours per subject over two-week timetable
English
Amy
Anderson 8 periods
Head of Department
Exploring Voice, Form, and Dramatic Technique.
Students begin with an exploration of short stories and poetry, developing critical reading skills and experimenting with creative writing. In the spring, they study Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, learning to analyse dramatic language and comedic conventions. The year concludes with a focus on poetic form and creative expression, helping students to refine their understanding of how writers craft meaning through structure and style.
Mathematics
Claire
Slater 8 periods
Students have an opportunity to embed and extend the maths skills taught in the I Group (Year 7). A greater emphasis is made on the importance of their written calculations within multi step problems. New topics introduced in II Group include circle geometry, Pythagoras’ theorem, straight line graphs, percentage increase and decrease and standard form and the use of Venn diagram and two-way tables in statistics. Students develop their key algebraic skills such as solving equations and manipulating algebraic expressions; we begin to use algebraic expressions to solve problems within different contexts e.g. geometry problems. Sparx Maths is used for homework and independent learning.
Science
Andrew
Lambie 7 periods
Number of periods over two weeks
Students follow the Activate course with access to online resources through www. kerboodle.com (Activate 2). Our primary aims are that the students enjoy their science, but also focus on a purposeful approach which will support their future GCSE studies. The main topics covered this year include ecosystems, health and lifestyle, adaptation, inheritance, the Periodic Table, separation techniques, metals and acids, electricity, magnetism and energy. The students are tested at the end of each topic.
Geography
Charlotte Leeke
3 periods
In II Group students explore a range of 'big questions' related to both human and physical geography as listed below: Who are the winners and losers of Globalisation?
(Globalisation)
Why are some earthquakes and volcanoes more deadly than others?
Is our understanding of the world wrong?
(Based on Factfulness by Hans Rosling)
History
Becca
Toepfer
3 periods
In II Group students take a more social approach to history, focusing on the British Empire, the Transatlantic Slave Trade and ending on Civil Rights in America. The key focus is to work on evaluation skills, looking at the moral implications of history and the lasting impact the past has had on our modern society. For example, the recent Black Lives Matter campaign was the largest Civil Rights movement in history - we explore how it compares to the earlier twentieth century movements and evaluate the successes and shortcomings of both.
French
Cyrille Simon 3 periods
Students communicate in French and gain an active awareness of language in general. Skills in speaking and listening for understanding are emphasised, although reading and writing have a higher profile than in younger year groups. Students are expected to produce more extended, challenging and imaginative pieces of written work. Topics covered include food, local area, lifestyle (clothes and opinions on styles), travelling and holidays, daily life in some francophone countries as well as revising topics from previous years. Language points covered are the present tense, the imperative, various forms of adjectives and pronouns, common irregular verbs and reflexive verbs. Students work with the “Allez” resources as well as with various internal resources including interactive activities both in and outside lessons. We encourage the use of IT both in class and at home, with Quizlet, linguascope and languagesonline our preferred platforms.
Spanish
Cyrille Simon 3 periods
In II Group, students consolidate the basics of Spanish as well as expanding their grammar, vocabulary and cultural awareness. The emphasis is on the skills needed for speaking and listening, although the reading and writing aspects of the language are gradually built up. The following topics are covered: Free time activities, food and eating out, home, transport and travelling, time and daily routine, directions, description of local area, weather, TV programmes and holidays. We continue to encourage the use of IT both in class and at home, with Quizlet, linguascope and languagesonline our preferred platforms.
Drama
Hollie Sparrow 3 periods
In II Group students build upon the skills learnt in I Group and are introduced to different forms of theatre including melodrama. They are taught how to create the right space for their performances and how drama can be created for different purposes, for example ‘Theatre in Education’. Students begin to study play scripts in more detail and how to compose their own scripted work. Planning and structuring short coherent plays and devised dramas that use a range of techniques, for example mime in physical theatre or narration in story theatre.
Art
Emma Semple 3 periods
Students develop their observational drawing skills and progress work into printmaking, photography and ceramics. They study symbolism in the history of art as well as exploring a more contemporary visual literacy. The illustration module gives students the opportunity to work to a ‘real brief’ as they undertake the design and production of their own early years story book. A practicing illustrator will come into school to give a talk and run a workshop.
3D Design
Gavin Fraser-Williams 3 periods
Students progress to more complex project work, with a greater emphasis on independent decision making and building good work habits. The first topic is typically sculptural, with students using soft and hard woods, along with aluminium and acrylic elements, to create an animal. The second project is more intricate and design-based, exploring ideas for “making a scene” using layers of resistant materials which the student feels to be appropriate and effective at communicating design intent. As well as introducing new techniques, equipment, materials and approaches, the aim is to build self-confidence and enjoyment of the subject, and to explore increasingly personal creative ideas.
Music
Ann-Marie Knight
2 periods
During the year students are encouraged to gain confidence, understanding and enjoyment through a variety of listening and practical activities. The projects are centered on performance and compositional tasks and include "musical sandwiches" (an introduction to aspects of western classical structures), reggae, further keyboard skills, and notation with a focus on the bass clef. All students compose a piece for piano using conventional western notation towards the end of the year.
PE & Games
Lyn McGregor 4 periods
The main focus of PE and Games lessons in II Group is to develop the range of core skills in a variety of sports introduced in younger years and to encourage use of these in open performance situations. In the autumn and spring terms: badminton, netball, basketball, health related fitness, rugby, football, gymnastics and hockey. There are competitions in other sports too, including our annual Inter-House Sports Day and Inter-House Cross-Country.
In the summer term: athletics, striking and fielding and tennis. We promote an ethos of personal excellence in all areas, an understanding of health-related fitness and its pivotal role in both a current and lifelong healthy and active lifestyle. We aim for students to be able to transfer these skills to other sports; have an understanding of health-related fitness; encourage a sporting attitude of personal excellence (with the option of partaking in a competitive setting) but fundamentally develop a lasting enjoyment of physical activity.
PSHE
Lizzie Hedderson
2 periods
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education includes three main themes which are each taught twice a year: health and wellbeing; careers and finance; and relationships. In II Group, students look at different types and patterns of work and equality of opportunity. The unit on discrimination highlights the importance of inclusion and equity. We look at emotional wellbeing and positive coping strategies. Digital literacy includes media reliability and gambling hooks. Students examine the pressures related to alcohol, tobacco, vaping and caffeine. We also cover identity and relationships which includes the importance of consent.
Computer Science
Princess Curtis-Broni
2 periods
In II Group, students deepen their knowledge of computing systems and their impact on society. They explore topics such as cyber security, networks, and data representation, gaining a clearer understanding of how digital information is stored, shared, and protected. Programming skills are developed further through more complex Python projects, with an emphasis on problem decomposition and debugging. Students also build their digital creativity by using a range of software tools to design and present digital content. Alongside technical knowledge, they consider the ethical, cultural, and environmental implications of technology, encouraging them to think about how computing shapes the modern world. This year strengthens both their analytical skills and their ability to work independently and collaboratively on digital projects.
Carousel Subjects
Swimming
Sarah Armstrong 1 period
Students have a fortnightly lesson throughout the year. In Autumn they will complete a Swimfit and Water Polo unit: setting and working towards personal fitness goals and learning polo skills and games; in the Spring they will learn some 'figures', synchro strokes and patterning to choreograph an aquatic routine in a 'Movement to Music' unit; in the Summer they will work towards achieving their RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Bronze Award (Stages 1 - 3)...a bridge into the III Group curriculum on lifesaving.
Cookery and environmental studies are taught in rotation across the year in approximately six-week blocks. Students study one of the two subjects for one lesson per week (approximately 27 periods per year).
Nat Baker, Deputy Head
Food and Nutrition
Becky Belson 2 periods
In II group, students build on their practical cooking skills and also gain an insight into nutrition and meal planning. Each lesson focuses on a different cooking skill, students cook a range of sweet and savoury dishes such as Anzac biscuits, carrot cupcakes, Mediterranean pasta salad and macaroni cheese. Students have had the opportunity to learn about hygiene and safety in the kitchen as well as an introduction to nutrition and adapting dishes to be healthier and more nutritious.
Environmental Studies
Emma Roskilly 2 periods
Our Environmental Studies lessons are an opportunity for students to learn about the environment and the natural world. Lessons are taught in the beautiful setting of "Arunwood" where we have a variety of livestock, small companion animals, reptiles and poultry as well as a vegetable garden, forest school area and lots of wild space for the pupils to explore.
As well as encouraging students to engage with environmental issues and learn about animal care and management, these lessons also have a strong focus on wellbeing, maintaining a practical focus and adapting as the seasons change.
First block: Animal accommodation and happy homes
Second block: Building a more sustainable world Third block: Growing our own food
Critical Thinking
Tabitha Bennett 1 period
Critical Thinking encourages students to examine the difference between fact and opinion, and misinformation and disinformation. In our digital age in which social media platforms are increasingly used as one's main source of information, it is very important that students learn the skills to think critically about the information presented to them, and apply logic and reasoning when they are forming judgements and opinions. The course also explores many cross curricular links, such as using English Literature when exploring narrative representations of disinformation in society (via George Orwell's '1984'), and History when exploring ancient examples of disinformation ad propaganda (spanning from the Roman Empire to the Second World War). They also augment their philosophical skills by applying their critical thinking to debate topics such as; the ethics of war, the death penalty, the extent to which religion is a force for good in society, and whether human nature is intrinsically good or evil. As a result, students are able to confidently navigate sources of information and determine informed views about the world around them.
Opps
Emma Roskilly
2 periods
On a Thursday afternoon all students in the Senior School participate in the Options programme. Every five weeks they are able to select an activity from a list of about 25 different Options to participate in. This is an opportunity to spend extra time pursuing a passion, or to try out new things and take on new challenges. Options are varied and everchanging but recent popular Options include debate, animal care, go-karting, football, recycled fashion, musical theatre, robotics, Warhammer and many, many more!
Company Time Company Adviser
Every morning
Three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) there is an extended time with company advisers from 10:55am - 11:15am. Companies follow a programme of activities made up of organisational strategies, careers guidance and study skills. In addition, there are bespoke sessions covering social and emotional learning topics, mental health and wellbeing, and online safety. These extended periods can also be used as a time for self-reflection and target setting, following key reporting times such as Interim Reports or Parents’ Consultations. Twice a week (on a Monday and a Friday morning) students attend Morning Talk; this is time to listen to a thought provoking talk on a topical item in the news or related to the time of year.