Curriculum Information II Group
Curriculum Information
II Group
Year 8
The School follows a two-week, 50 period timetable.
Each period is one hour 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
7 periods
Head of Department
Students study a wide range of literature that encourages them to consider a text in its historical and social context. They read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman as well as a collection of detective fiction. They study a drama text – Journey's End - and explore different ideas and attitudes toward the First World War both in the play and from wider reading. Poetry is integrated into each scheme as well as work on language and non-fiction texts. In the summer term, all classes study Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, focussing particularly on characterisation, language use and stagecraft. Creative writing and independent reading remain an important part of the curriculum, and students develop their skills in each of these areas..
Mathematics
Ed Commodore-Mensah 7 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 6 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 2 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 2 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 2 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, students are taught badminton, health related fitness, gymnastics and hockey. Games include netball, football and basketball as these sports form our main team game league fixtures with other schools. There are competitions in other sports too, including our annual Inter-House Sports Day and Inter-House Cross-Country. In the summer term, all students are taught tennis, athletics and striking and fielding games including cricket and rounders (and these form our main team games league fixtures at this time of year).
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
1 Company Time, 1 period and 2 Drop-Down Days
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. We run two drop down days where students examine the pressures related to alcohol, tobacco, vaping and caffeine in the Autumn term and identity, gender and the importance of consent in the Spring.
Carousel Subjects
Computer science, cookery and environmental studies are taught in rotation across the year in approximately six-week blocks. Students study one of the three subjects for one lesson per week (approximately 18 periods per year). Nat Baker, Deputy Head
Computer Science
Adam
Eldin 2 periods
As part of a Key Stage Three carousel of topics, in computer science students learn to code in Python. They have the opportunity to learn at their own pace, learning the basic core concepts of programming; loops, variables and if statements. Python is a programming language used widely in industry and education, it gives students the ability to solve problems as well as creating games and puzzles. I and II Group computer science, taught as part of the subject carousel gives students a good grounding to move onto III group computer science and then to GCSE.
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
The overarching concept of our environment studies lessons is to provide experiential learning opportunities through practical activities in a natural setting. Student voice informs what is studied in our outdoor classroom. Activities include:
• Discussing and debating environmental issues
• “Apple Fest"
(including making apple juice with the Junior School)
• Willow wreath making
• Constructing a shelter
• Fire lighting
• Foraging for edibles to make herbal tea
• Making bird feeders
• Constructing a tyre swing
• Learning to tie knots and how to apply them
• Art activities using air drying clay
• Den building
• “Rhubarb Fest”
Students enjoy the freedom to explore the natural world, in all seasons and in all weathers; developing innovation, problem solving, supported risk-taking, creativity and teamwork. In addition, students examine broader global concerns including our role as individuals, as a school and as a community, in finding ways to act and live more sustainably.
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.
Options
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 8.309.00am. Companies follow a programme of activities made up of PSHE activities, 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) following a shorter Company time, 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.