Wreakle Valley Academy Parkstone Road, Syston, Leicester. LE7 1LY Tel: 0116 264 1080 email: admin@wvacademy.org www.wvacademy.org KS3 Curriculum Information for Years 7, 8 and 9
KS3 Curriculum Information
KS3 Curriculum Information PE Within PE lessons we seek to improve pupils physical skills, communication skills and enjoyment in sport through peer coaching, officiating, and leadership. The overarching emphasis in each academic year is: - Year 7 Developing basic skills, establishing control, fluency and consistency. Year 8 Gaining confidence with decision making and officiating. Year 9 Communication, organisation and planning as a coach/leader Sports studied at Key Stage 3 include: netball, hockey, rugby, rounders, softball, football, badminton, basketball, athletics, golf and gymnastics. Faye Sibley, Head of PE RE In KS3 Religious Education pupils will build upon their previous knowledge and lay the foundations for their GCSE. Pupils will consider a wide range of moral issues throughout KS3 as well as learning about the six world religions, discovering interesting aspects of the different faiths and how the beliefs of the religion influence a person s life. Pupils will begin Year 7 looking at Big Questions this will incorporate thinking about and debating moral issues as well as considering the points of view of others. Continuing through the remainder of Year 7 and into Year 8 and 9 pupils will study the main aspects of the six world religions, a range of moral and ethical issues and important events in history that we can learn from, for example, the Holocaust. During KS3 pupils will have the opportunity take part in a range of educational visits. Daniel Robinson, Head of RE
English The English Department s aim is to ensure that all students reach their full potential at Key Stage 3 and we place great emphasis on teaching grammar, spelling and punctuation. Year 7 students have an English lesson every day with a designated grammar and reading lesson to develop levels of literacy. In Years 7 and 8 we use an accelerated reading programme called Fresh Start to support students who find reading very challenging; this equips students with the reading skills required for success at GCSE level. All students are assessed through a series of common assignment using the APP (Assessing Pupil Progress) strategy. Katie Johnson, Head of English Mathematics Maths at Wreake Valley is taught in an interactive way to encourage students to enjoy their learning. All staff are aware of the different learning styles of students and include a variety of teaching methods to ensure that every student has access to the curriculum. All students are set in Year 7 and throughout KS3. Regular assessments throughout the key stage are used to track and monitor pupil s progress. Personal Development (PD) P.D. includes all aspects of personal, social development, health and wellbeing education with citizenship. There are 5 themes to P.D: - Self and Relationships to include friendship and the social aspect of a relationship at all levels, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Healthy Living personal wellbeing including aspects of keeping well and safe. Finance and Economic Wellbeing to include personal finance and budgeting, social and moral uses of money, business, economics and enterprise. Careers and Future to include skills, qualities and attitudes for employability as well as transition and career progression. Citizenship concept of community at all levels to include politics, crime and social interactions on a local, national, and global level. Pupils are taught P.D. in their tutor groups. P.D. will help pupils acquire the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It will help them to understand how they are developing personally and socially, and will address many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. Linsey Paul, Head of PD Students cover four attainment target areas: - 1. Using and applying Mathematical skills 2. Number and Algebra 3. Space, shape and measures 4. Handling data There is an emphasis on the use of Maths in real life situations and problem solving plays a large part in KS3 approach to mathematics.
Performing and Visual Art In art pupils have an opportunity to work with a wide range of different materials including; paint textiles, printing, clay card sculpture, mod-roc, digital art an drawing. Most of the work is created within sketchbooks with opportunities for larger scale work and 3D final pieces. Pupils develop their cultural awareness through projects such as Aboriginal Art and Graffiti. In music pupils will experience music from a variety of cultures, through listening, composing and performing. Pupils will develop their instrumental skills on the keyboard, vocals, guitar and drum kit. They learn how to read music, and apply these skills through working as an ensemble and as a soloist. The topics will include: - Blues Music Theme and Variations Samba Film music Song writing Musical Futures Pupils take part in a musical futures topic, where they experience playing the different parts of a song on a wide range of instruments and then perform the song as an ensemble on their chosen instrument. In drama pupils will have the opportunity to develop their skills in drama, following a programme that will assess 3 main strands: - Creating Performing Understanding Pupils will create work developing their skills, knowledge and understanding in a range of experiences, such as: basic drama skills, script work, Melodrama, Commedia D ell Arte and improvisation. The work is enjoyable and delivered in a fun, safe environment where the pupils gain confidence, raise their self-esteem and develop effective communication skills. Carla Connolley, Head of PVA Science If you asked your science teacher why it s important to study and understand science, they may say that Everything around you is science. You might expect a scientist to say that, but there s truth in it. Just think of what your daily life would be like without advances in science. Even over the last 100 years the achievements have benefited the human race in so many ways: transport, medicine, electronics, materials and agriculture to name a few. So why study science? Firstly, there is the excitement of discovery. Although you may not discover anything new yourself, you ll be able to experience some of the buzz of the great scientists by working out some key ideas for yourself. Science also gives you the chance to do some practical work: to get your hands dirty with experiments. You can investigate living organisms, create chemical reactions that give off energy or make colour changes, or build a physical model of a phenomenon. Finally, there s one other excellent reason to study science: it s fun! In Key Stage 3 Science we follow a theme based approach to teaching Science. We find that students have a more enjoyable learning experience this way. The topics taught are: - Year 7 Ancient Civilisations, Fireworks, CSI:WVA, Planet Earth, Into the Wild, The Olympics and Ready Steady, Cook Year 8 ECO House, Wreake Valley Diet, Getting Fit, Plants and Photosynthesis, Wreake Valley: Musical, The Periodic Table Year 9 Super Human, Tomorrow s World, Northern Lights, Drugs and Disease, Alchemy, Theme Park Nick Rowles, Head of Science Sandra Ward, Head of Languages
Design + Technology Design and Technology at Key Stage 3 provides pupils with opportunities to not only design and make products but also to extend their understanding of materials, tools and machinery. The Design and Technology area is equipped with specialist tools and machines that pupils will develop the confidence and knowledge to be able to use safely and accurately. In Year 7 students will experience working in Graphics, Electronics, Food Technology, Resistant Materials and Engineering. In Years 8 and 9 pupils will be able to extend their skills through a range of exciting projects such as healthy meals, a pewter cast key ring, etched mirror holder and an automaton. Our Design and Technology curriculum is unique in the school because it encourages pupils to apply the theory they have been taught so that they can solve problems and manufacture fantastic products. In KS4 students are encouraged to extend their creative, practical and analytical awareness of real products through the development of interesting and inspiring topics working in a range of materials. They will also use a variety of CAD software such as 2D Design, Google Sketch-Up and Solidworks to create virtual models and drive computer controlled machines such as plotters, CNC routers and laser cutters. Kevin Lawrence, Head of Design Technology Geography Geography at KS3 is designed to encourage pupils to see the world as Geographers!! In Year 7 pupils learn map skills which will enable them to find their way around the world. Other topics include flooding, the UK and where people live. History At KS3 we follow 3 big themes in history: Year 7 1066-c1690 = Control, Year 8 c1750-1900 = Change, Year 20th Century World = Conflict. Our topics range from the Battle of Hastings to the Cold War, and include a wide range of teaching styles and activities. Pupils study the skills of Using Evidence from the Past, Cause and Consequence, and Interpreting the Past, and are assessed on these skills each term. Languages Simon Hancock, Head of History In French lessons, pupils learn to communicate by taking part in a variety of fun and interactive activities such as role-plays, games, puzzles, videos and songs to engage all leaners. Pupils progress is assessed through continuous assessment and end of module tests. In Year 7, pupils study 3 modules: - 1. C est parti! (pupils revise basics: greetings, alphabet, numbers, dates, birthdays, classroom objects and colours) 2. Famille et copains (pupils learn to describe their family, pets and friends and start to write longer sentences) 3. Chez moi (pupils learn to describe where they live and their home, they also learn about the geography of France and a typical home in La Martinique) Sandra Ward, Head of Languages In Year 8 pupils start by investigating earthquakes and volcanoes and their impact on people. Then pupils look at the impact of tourism and globalisation on the world and finally pupils investigate fascinating landforms and landscapes. Year 9 starts with the important topic of environmental concerns. Pupils also study the country of Brazil which is preparing for the next Olympics. Pupils research how Geography can be used to fight crime and finally why some countries are rich whilst others remain poor. Emma Spargo, Head of Humanities