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02/04/20

Are you ready for some family debate time? https://t.co/9tWZ1HeKmd

02/04/20

Ella in 8I has been painting some beautiful artwork in her free time! https://t.co/Z1sOoQh2eS

02/04/20

Missing the seaside? Here's 3 drone videos of the Kent Coast! https://t.co/oZaRT7QiWI

02/04/20

Megan in Curie 2 and her sister have been their old clothes; they made a reusable bag out of an old swimming costume and a phone case out of a sock! https://t.co/VELOwzHZhN

02/04/20

Miss Hollett challenged 7G to make some atomic models using items they had at home. Here are some of the results! https://t.co/Grs8GESAqP

02/04/20

There's still time to sign up for our family quiz! https://t.co/wEcosAiW0F

02/04/20

Mary in 10T has been keeping herself busy during break times! What have you been up to? https://t.co/6i9QInV6og

02/04/20

Retweeted From Maidstone Salvation Army

In these challenging times we are able to distribute sanitary products at the Maidstone Salvation Army foodbank thanks to an initiative back in January. Thank you girls! https://t.co/HOHHYKBsnx

01/04/20

Retweeted From VIAT

We're so pleased to be able to help our local by providing some of our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for them to use, including gloves, goggles, masks & paper suits. They're doing an amazing job and we're thrilled to support them in any way, however small! https://t.co/rFe0dLi8Bc

01/04/20

Grace and Isla have had lots of help from their cats this week! We love seeing your pictures - keep sending them in! https://t.co/WtHqzzugaM

01/04/20

Wow - what a creation 😍 https://t.co/7CPV05q1rg

01/04/20

Well done to all our girls completely their half an hour of exercise a day! Renee in 7C has given our PE Challenge a go and smashed it! Jessie-Mae in 8I has been showing off her yoga moves and Phoebe in 8N has been practising her netball! https://t.co/5wXUHuFDeQ

01/04/20

Retweeted From ᴅᴀᴠɪᴅ ᴍᴜɪʀ

Pleased that are running a free virtual course - "FREE Virtual Coding Course for 14-17 years olds" https://t.co/zdmQHchWaI

01/04/20

Invicta is proud to support the in keeping staff safe from COVID – 19 by providing them with Science goggles, gloves etc. We hope it helps, as we know how lucky we are to have such wonderful staff to look after our community. https://t.co/I7HbpvHwUl

01/04/20

Well done Annabel we loved seeing your favourite piece of work - keep it up! https://t.co/slzpdqYNvp

01/04/20

Year 8 have learnt about the French tradition of making a paper fish and trying to stick it to someone's back without them noticing. They have put their origami skills to the test and created some very good fish! https://t.co/ieTTyi0IAq

01/04/20

Well done Amelie and Hamish! https://t.co/i4LMBQZGki

01/04/20

Mr Ehren's children have made a right mess of his workspace and spilt coffee all over his macbook! Despite all of the ongoing difficulties, it is good to have fun when you can. What have you been getting up to on - let us know! https://t.co/XLqBWGM7qw

01/04/20

Mrs Bolton and her PA Molly have sent off the first batch of student letters to care homes today! Well done to Lexie and Mia in Year 8 and Maddie in 9A you have all written wonderful letters! https://t.co/SI0Tj9xl24

31/03/20

Poppy and her family have been keeping themselves entertained during the power cuts with homemade cookies, cards (canasta) and candles! https://t.co/6c1lFoyd3N

31/03/20

Megan in 8S has produced some beautiful NHS greeting cards! https://t.co/iu6DY8LzkD

31/03/20

Miss Sayer ran a virtual art competition for her form 9A. They had a week to produce a piece of artwork and here they are! Which one is your favourite? https://t.co/jBkrwfRdND

31/03/20

It's nice to see our students using their down time effectively! Maddison in 7S has baked a lemon drizzle cake, with Lily in 7A cooking brownies and Elspeth in 11C baking bread! Great work girls they all look very yummy! https://t.co/IzXAF5r7YH

31/03/20

Joining Invicta in September 2020? Don't forget to complete the Language Taster Booklet and select your Language Choices via the Enrolment Portal. https://t.co/jfUqjXWY9N

31/03/20

Virtual Music Lessons! Ella and Kathryn in Year 8 have been carrying on their piano lessons whilst Lily in 7G has received her results for her Grade 6 Drum exam - she scored 83% which is a very high Merit, well done Lily! https://t.co/m2nJrCqddC

30/03/20

Georgia in 8I has been carrying out science experiments at home, this experiment - testing the pH of liquids in the kitchen! https://t.co/zHiJK6Lo68

30/03/20

Retweeted From British Red Cross

We know things feel uncertain right now, but one thing is clear: small acts of kindness can make a huge difference to someone. https://t.co/j9Eeoez21h

30/03/20

End of week one and what have we done... https://t.co/sN7vYwvyhX

30/03/20

Still finding it tricky to get bread from the supermarket? Have a go at making your own; how about trying to shape it in a fun way. Here are some animal shaped bread rolls for inspiration. Tweet us back with your creations! https://t.co/Ih0yN4VUL5

30/03/20

Are you ready for school today? https://t.co/gC1alk0uby

30/03/20

7T have been busy writing some poems in French, getting inspirations from the Japanese Haiku. Here is Lara Doe's work! https://t.co/bi7CIdn1sS

30/03/20

Mrs Middleton is very proud of 9T for keeping up their super work in Maths during the first week of . https://t.co/0peDDNF7pz

30/03/20

Sad you cannot go to the zoo? have a live webcam where you can watch the zookeepers feeding the animals! https://t.co/rFxyj0D6Qn

30/03/20

Sarah in 7C and her father have had a wall sit competition! Can you beat their time? https://t.co/9ijZNxMEAv

30/03/20

Check out this fantastic resource! https://t.co/9ajtzzp8cP

30/03/20

Great work Amélie! https://t.co/6otdJZo5vc

30/03/20

Well done Isabelle - it looks delicious😅 https://t.co/79KP9RI9Q6

27/03/20

Thank you to all our VIAT Parents for home schooling this week – ‘Cut yourself some slack, be kind to yourself you are doing an amazing job!’ https://t.co/wxAL4GVccL

27/03/20

We may all be stuck at home but at least it gives us a bit more to read something really good. This is a list of 100 books to try and read before you leave secondary school. Why don’t you give one a go, or see how many you’ve read already? https://t.co/yyrmq2RK5C

27/03/20

Happy Birthday Chloe! We hope you've enjoyed your - the cakes looks yummy🧁 https://t.co/XMQI5X0YuR

The Foundation Years

The Year 7 and 8 curriculum is designed to give students a firm foundation based on the broad curriculum of 15 subjects. Students study the core subjects, i.e. English, Maths, Science in 6 lessons per fortnight and MFL in 5 lessons. The school recognises the importance of self-expression and believes that the performing arts subjects contribute towards increasing the students’ confidence hence all students study dance, drama and music in 4 lessons. We encourage all students to become enterprising young adults; the Business and Enterprise course teaches our students about the world of business and entrepreneurship.

The Personal Opportunities Programme (POP) is a unique feature of our curriculum which embed enrichment in school life for every Invicta students. Fifty clubs and societies run by teachers from Musical Theatre to Creative Photography, from Bee Keeping and Gardening to Body Balance and Lacrosse are enjoyed by students and teachers alike.

The table below summarises the subjects studied by students in Year 7, and the number of lessons per fortnight.

English 6 lessons
Mathematics  6 lessons
Science 6 lessons
MFL (French) 5 lessons
MFL (German) 5 lessons
MFL (Spanish) 5 lessons
History 3 lessons
Geography 3 lessons
Art 2 lessons
Design and Technology (rotation of Textiles, Resistant Materials and Food) 4 lessons
Design and Technology (rotation of Textiles, Resistant Materials and Food) 4 lessons
Design and Technology (rotation of Textiles, Resistant Materials and Food) 4 lessons
Business and Enterprise 2 lessons
Computing 2 lessons
Religious Education 2 lessons
Performing Arts (rotation of Dance and Drama) Dance 2 lessons
Performing Arts (rotation of Dance and Drama) Drama 2 lessons
Music 2 lessons
Physical Education 2 lessons
Personal Opportunities Programme (POP) 2 lessons

English

Subject: English

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Journeys
  • Shakespeare
  • Narrative voice in prose
  • Aspects of the Natural World
  • History of English Language/Myths and Legends

Recommended Extra Resources

Visit the theatre to see a live performance; read as much variety of fiction and non-fiction as possible

Recommended Reading List
  • See Year 7 reading list on the IGS website and the student portal

Useful Tips

Use your opinions and always justify your ideas from the text

Subject: English

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Detective fiction/crime and punishment
  • Media unit – linked to BBC Schools’ Report
  • Dystopian/science fiction prose study
  • Childhood
  • Modern drama and poetry

Recommended Extra Resources

Read the newspapers (online or in print) – local and national and watch the news

Recommended Reading List
  • See Year 8 reading list on the IGS website and the student portal

Useful tips

Always be aware of the world around you – your local community, national and international current affairs

 

 

 

Maths

Subject: Maths

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Factors, multiples, decimal calculations, negative numbers
  • Simplifying expressions and substitution
  • Calculating averages and displaying data
  • Powers, BIDMAS and estimation
  • Expanding brackets and factorising expressions
  • Solving problems with fraction calculations
  • Scatter graphs
  • Probability
  • Angles and shapes
  • Decimals
  • Solving equations
  • Transformations
  • Fractions, decimals and percentages
  • Ratio
  • Perimeter, Area and Volume
  • Sequences and graphs
  • Constructions
  • Circles

Recommended Extra Resources

Revision Guides

CGP KS3 Maths Study Guide – Higher (ISBN: 978 1 84146 030 7)

CGP KS3 Maths Complete Study & Practice (ISBN: 978 1 84146 383 4)

Websites

www.mrbartonmaths.com (online e-book)

www.mathsisfun.com (good explanations)

www.corbettmaths.com (videos and worksheets)

https://hegartymaths.com/login/learner

Recommended Reading List

Useful Tips
  • Show all workings clearly with each calculation on a new line. 
  • Look at and redo questions from previous topics and past revision homeworks when revising.
  • Practise the topics you find most difficult first.
  • Make sure you understand how to use your scientific calculator.

Subject: Maths

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Round and estimation
  • Angles and Polygons
  • Single brackets and equations
  • Scatter graphs and frequency tables
  • Error and bounds
  • Pythagoras’ theorem
  • Inequalities
  • Fractions and percentages
  • Probability
  • Simultaneous equations
  • Fractions and ratio
  • Constructions and measure
  • Cumulative frequency
  • Negative numbers, substitution into formulae and rearranging formulae.
  • Circles
  • Forming equations
  • FOIL and factorising
  • Volume and surface area
  • Straight line graphs
  • Enlargement and similarity
  • Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple

Recommended Extra Resources

Revision Guides

CGP KS3 Maths Study Guide – Higher (ISBN: 978 1 84146 030 7)

CGP KS3 Maths Complete Study & Practice (ISBN: 978 1 84146 383 4)

Websites

www.mrbartonmaths.com (online e-book)

www.mathsisfun.com (good explanations)

www.corbettmaths.com (videos and worksheets)

https://hegartymaths.com/login/learner

Recommended Reading List
  • How Many Socks Make a Pair?: Surprisingly Interesting Everyday Maths Rob Eastaway
  • Singh, S (2002) The Code Book: The Secret History of Codes and Code-breaking
  • Singh, S. (2014) The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets

Useful Tips
  • Show all workings clearly with each calculation on a new line. 
  • Look at and redo questions from previous topics and past revision homeworks when revising.
  • Practise the topics you find most difficult first.
  • Make sure you understand how to use your scientific calculator.

 

Science

Subject: Science

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Introduction to science
  • Waves
  • Particles and matter 1  
  • Electromagnets
  • Ecosystems
  • Reactions
  • Energy 1
  • Life and living processes 1
  • Earth science
  • Forces 1

Recommended Extra Resources
  • BBC Bitesize website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zng4d2p
  • Use the homework, revision and extension resources that have been uploaded onto the student portal.
  • Download the ebooks onto your iPad – ask your teacher if you are unsure how to do this.

Recommended Reading List

Useful Tips

Revise little and often – you need to recap your science work each fortnight, in order to prepare for end of topic assessments, and to revise topics studied.

Come to science clubs – ask science staff for dates and times.

 

Subject: Science

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Interdependence 1
  • Forces 2
  • Life and living processes 2 
  • Particles and matter 2
  • Energy 2

Recommended Extra Resources
  • BBC Bitesize website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zng4d2p
  • Use the homework, revision and extension resources that have been uploaded onto the student portal.
  • Download the ebooks onto your iPad – ask your teacher if you are unsure how to do this.

Recommended Reading List

Useful Tips

Revise little and often – you need to recap your science work each fortnight, in order to prepare for end of topic assessments, and to revise topics studied.

Come to science clubs – ask science staff for dates and times.

MFL (French)

Subject: French

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • C’est perso – my family, my friends and me.
  • Mon collège – My school
  • Mes passe-temps –Hobbies (sports/ activities)
  • Ma zone – where I live
  • 3,2,1 Partez - Holidays
  • revision and research project (poetry / art )

Recommended Extra Resources
  • Cahier d’exercice A/B – Studio 1 – ISBN 978-0-435-02777-3    -  Workbook based on our textbook to reinforce what it is taught in lessons.

Websites :

https://quizlet.com - interactive website to help you learn the vocabulary.

http://zut.languageskills.co.uk/index.html - good source of interactive activities to practise a variety of skills – Free to use outside school hours ( before 9 am and after 4pm)

http://www.lepetitquotidien.fr/dossiers-thematiques
(6-10 years old)

An authentic newspaper for young French readers. Suitable to challenge any keen linguists who want to read for pleasure about what’s happening in the world. Some part of this website require to subscribe but a good amount of articles are available for free. Worth exploring!

YouTube :

You can access a variety of videos explaining French grammar in English-

You can also access short authentic French cartoons designed for French toddlers : simple stories to understand with the support of the images, but great listening practise ! Search for Tchoupi , Petit ours Brun and TroTro.

Recommended Reading List

Ask your French teacher to borrow a book from our library! Here is a sample of what you can find.

A story about a little boy who discover the world at night. 

The story of Little Brown bear who plays in the sand.

  • Martine

A French classic! A series of books that follow Martine’s adventures.

  • La petite poule rousse

Another classic for children.

Useful Tips

Eg: Make sure you learn your vocabulary regularly, using a variety of memorising techniques- a little bit everyday, is better than two hours the night before the spelling test !!

 

Subject: French

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • T’es branché ? Hobbies (tv/internet/reading, etc.)
  • Paris je t’adore -Describing a recent visit using past tense
  • Mon identité – Likes and dislikes, style, music, friendships)
  • Chez toi/ chez moi – where I live
  • Quel talent!  Talents and ambitions

Recommended Extra Resources

-Cahier d’exercice  – Studio 2 rouge  – ISBN 9780435041090

Workbook based on our textbook to reinforce and challenge what it is taught in lessons.

Websites :

https://quizlet.com - interactive website to help you learn the vocabulary.

http://zut.languageskills.co.uk/index.html - good source of interactive activities to practise a variety of skills – Free to use outside school hours ( before 9 am and after 4pm)

http://www.lepetitquotidien.fr/dossiers-thematiques (6-10 years old)

An authentic newspaper for young French readers. Suitable to challenge any keen linguists who want to read for pleasure about what’s happening in the world. Some part of this website require to subscribe but a good amount of articles are available for free. Worth exploring!

YouTube :

You can access a variety of videos explaining French grammar in English-

You can also access short authentic French cartoons designed for French toddlers : simple stories to understand with the support of the images, but great listening practise ! Search for Tchoupi , Petit ours Brun and TroTro.

Recommended Reading List

Ask your French teacher to borrow a book from our library ! Here is a sample of what you can find.

A story about a little boy who discover the world at night. 

The story of Little Brown bear who plays in the sand.

  • Martine

A French classic!

A series of books that follow Martine’s adventures.

  • La petite poule rousse

Another classic for children.

Useful Tips
  • Take the time to reflect on your mistakes to understand what went wrong and what you can learn by correcting them.
  • Act upon feedback.

MFL (German)

Subject: German

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Greetings and introductions
  • School
  • Family and friends
  • Freetime
  • Home
  • Town and country

Recommended Extra Resources

Echo Express 1 Workbook by Oliver Gray

German Grammar 11-14 by Oliver Gray and Trevor Stevens

Key Stage Three German CGP Revision Guide

www.languagesonline.org.uk

www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline

www.germanrevision.org.uk

Recommended Reading List
  • Aschenputtel, ELI German Easy Readers
  • Der Hase mit der roten Nase, Helme Heine
  • Oh wie schön ist Panama, Janosch
  • Für Hund und Katz ist auch noch Platz, Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler
  • Der Räuber Hotzenplotz, Otfried Preußler

Useful Tps

Spread your homework time over a number of days so that you learn your vocabulary little and often.

When learning vocabulary, remember to listen, say, cover and write the words to help you practice all four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).

Use the electronic textbook to go over reading and listening exercises done in class and use the marked one done in class to check your new answers.

When revising for a speaking assessment, practice asking and answering questions with a friend without looking at your answers.

Create revision posters for particular grammar points.

Use mind maps to help revise topics (think of headings such as Grammatical concepts, Verbs, Nouns, Phrases, etc…).

Subject: German

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Holidays
  • Food and shopping
  • After school
  • Health
  • Going out
  • Going on an exchange

Recommended Extra Resources

Echo Express 2 Workbook by Oliver Gray  

German Grammar 11-14 by Oliver Gray and Trevor Stevens

Key Stage Three German CGP Revision Guide

www.languagesonline.org.uk

www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline

www.germanrevision.org.uk

Recommended Reading List
  • Aschenputtel, ELI German Easy Readers
  • Der Hase mit der roten Nase, Helme Heine
  • Oh wie schön ist Panama, Janosch
  • Für Hund und Katz ist auch noch Platz, Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler
  • Der Räuber Hotzenplotz, Otfried Preußler

Useful Tips

Spread your homework time over a number of days so that you learn your vocabulary little and often.

When learning vocabulary, remember to listen, say, cover and write the words to help you practice all four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).

Use the electronic textbook to go over reading and listening exercises done in class and use the marked one done in class to check your new answers.

When revising for a speaking assessment, practice asking and answering questions with a friend without looking at your answers.

Create revision posters for particular grammar points.

Use mind maps to help revise topics (think of headings such as Grammatical concepts, Verbs, Nouns, Phrases, etc…)

 

MFL (Spanish)

Subject: Spanish

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Vamos
  • En el instituto
  • Mi familia
  • En casa
  • El tiempo libre
  • En la ciudad

Recommended Extra Resources

Mira 1 Workbook

Quizlet (application or website, ideal for vocabulary revision)

studyspanish.com (ideal for practising your pronunciation)

Recommended Reading List
  • Lola en la biblioteca (Charlesbridge Publishing)
  • Abiela (Arthur Dorros)
  • El Cuento de Ferdinando (Munro Leaf)
  • Días de clase (Daniel Nesquens)
  • La y Lolo (Carmen Gómez Ojea)

Useful Tips

Learn vocabulary little and often by listening to and repeating the word aloud, then practising the spelling

Read back through your notes on a regular basis, paying particular attention to any corrections made to ensure that you are revising accurate information

In class we learn through using pictures, sounds and movements: ensure that you do the same in your revision to make it more effective.

Subject: Spanish

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • La gente
  • ¿Vamos a salir?
  • Mis vacaciones
  • La comida
  • De moda
  • Barcelona

Recommended Extra Resources

Mira 2 Workbook

Quizlet (application or website, ideal for vocabulary revision)

wordreference.com (a useful online dictionary with verb conjugation tool)

Recommended Reading List
  • Lola en la biblioteca (Charlesbridge Publishing)
  • Abiela (Arthur Dorros)
  • El Cuento de Ferdinando (Munro Leaf)
  • Días de clase (Daniel Nesquens)
  • La y Lolo (Carmen Gómez Ojea)

Useful Tips

Learn vocabulary little and often by listening to and repeating the word aloud, then practising the spelling

Try to complete a ‘Verb of the Day’ on days when you do not have a Spanish lesson: as we learn more tenses this will help you get to grips with them quicker and feel confident using them.

Act on corrections and feedback as soon as your book as marked: this will improve the accuracy of the notes from which you are revising and give you next steps for moving forward.

 

History

Subject: History

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • The Norman Conquest
  • Castles, the feudal system, the church
  • Life in Medieval Britain
  • Henry VIII and the Reformation
  • Aspects of life in early modern England

Recommended Extra Resources

Recommended Websites:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zk26n39

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/middle_ages/

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions-and-resources/?time-period=medieval

Recommended Reading List
  • The Time Travellers Guide to Medieval England, Ian Mortimer
  • Elizabeth I, Red Rose of the House of Tudor,Kathryn Lasky
  • The Tudor Court novels of Phillipa Gregory

Useful Tips
  • Never take any one single source of historical information at face value- always cross-check and compare with other sources.
  • Remember that all sources are useful in history – it just depends on what questions you ask.
  • Remember to ask the five key questions when using sources: who wrote it, when, where, what does it tell us and why?

Subject: History

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • The Slave trade
  • The industrial revolution
  • Causes of World War One
  • The events and experience of World War One
  • Causes and events of World War Two

Recommended Extra Resources

Recommended Websites

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/
sessions-and-resources/?time-period=empire-and-industry

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/
sessions-and-resources/?time-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z4crd2pperiod=
early-20th-century

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/20th_century/
second_world_war/revision/2/

Recommended Reading List
  • Behind the Bedroom Wall, Laura Williams
  • A Respectable Trade, Phillipa Gregory
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, John Boyne
  • The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
  • War Horse, Michael Murpurgo
  • Testament of Youth, Vera Brittain
  • All Quite on the Western Front, Erich Remaraque
  • Regeneration, Pat Barker

Useful Tips
  • Never take any one single source of historical information at face value- always cross-check and compare with other sources.
  • All sources are useful in history – it just depends what questions you ask.
  • Remember to ask the five key questions when using sources: who wrote it, when, where, what does it tell us and why?

 

Geography

Subject: Geography

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Global knowledge – human/physical geography, atlas skills and China
  • Map skills – grid references, direction, scale and reading contour lines
  • Globalisation – global connections, trade, working conditions along supply chains, fair trade.
  • Migration – global migration patterns, international migration from Mexico to the USA.
  • Weather Around the World – weather and climate, climate graphs, climate zones and biomes, extreme weather.
  • Fieldwork in St. Omer and Boxley

Recommended Extra Resources

Recommended Reading List
  • Malala Yousafzai (2013) ‘I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban’
  • David Attenborough (2009) ‘Life Stories’
  • Robert M Sapolsky (2002) ‘A Primate’s Memoir: Love, Death and Baboons in East Africa’
  • Alastair Bonnett (2014) ‘Unrult Places: Lost Spaces, Secret Cities and Other Inscrutable Geographies’
  • Khaled Hosseini (2013) ‘The Kite Runner’
  • Stay up-to-date and aware of current news events related to topics studied.

Useful Tps
  • Allow time to make revision resources from the start of the course, particularly for more challenging topics.
  • Complete quizzes online to regularly recap learning.
  • Experiment with different presentation methods where this is appropriate.
  • Look back at previous assessments to review your targets and how to improve.

 

Subject: Geography

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Environmental protection- calculate ecological footprints, waste diaries, wind farm and GIS
  • Antarctica- climate change, impacts of tourism and scientific research, wildlife and resources, DME
  • Tectonic hazards- plate boundaries, earthquakes, volcanoes, supervolcano
  • Development- development indicators, Kenya, Tourism and eco-tourism, sustainable development

Recommended Extra Resources

Recommended Reading List
  • Malala Yousafzai (2013) ‘I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban’
  • David Attenborough (2009) ‘Life Stories’
  • Robert M Sapolsky (2002) ‘A Primate’s Memoir: Love, Death and Baboons in East Africa’
  • Alastair Bonnett (2014) ‘Unrult Places: Lost Spaces, Secret Cities and Other Inscrutable Geographies’
  • Khaled Hosseini (2013) ‘The Kite Runner’
  • Stay up-to-date and aware of current news events related to topics studied

Useful Tips
  • Allow time to make revision resources from the start of the course, particularly for more challenging topics.
  • Complete quizzes online to regularly recap learning e.g.: mapzone to practice map skills and BBC bitesize for tectonics.
  • Experiment with different presentation methods where this is appropriate.
  • Look back at previous assessments to review your targets and how to improve.

Art

Subject: Art

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Observational drawing
  • Tonal description
  • Colour Theory
  • Texture
  • Mono printing
  • Colour mixing
  • Watercolour
  • Acrylic
  • Written analysis

Recommended Extra Resources

Revision Guide on Student Portal.

Recommended Reading List
  • Tate.co.uk
  • NPG.co.uk

Useful Tips

Practice observational drawing by looking at the object for 80% of the time.

Draw only what you see.

Enhance written analysis by using PEE.

Subject: Art

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Observational drawing
  • Tonal description
  • Colour Theory
  • Texture
  • Colour mixing
  • Watercolour
  • Acrylic paint
  • Sculpture
  • Photoshop
  • Written analysis

Recommended Extra Resources

Revision Guide on Student Portal.

Recommended Reading List
  • Tate.co.uk
  • NPG.co.uk

Useful Tips

Practice observational drawing by looking at the object for 80% of the time.

Draw only what you see.

Enhance written analysis by using PEE.

 

DT - Textiles Rotation

Subject:  DT Textiles

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Analysing a task
  • Product analysis
  • Design specifications
  • Designing a textile product
  • Pattern drafting
  • Risk assessment
  • Computer Aided Design
  • Hand embroidery and appliqué techniques
  • Product construction using a sewing machine
  • Evaluation of made outcomes

Recommended Extra Resources
  • You Tube – video clips of hand embroidery and appliqué techniques
  • BBC GCSE Bitesize – Product analysis and evaluation

Recommended Reading List
  • Design and Make it: Textiles Technology for Key Stage 3

Useful Tips

When completing design annotation give your work to someone who has no knowledge of your design ideas at all and ask them if they have all of the information that they would need to produce your product

Subject: DT Textiles

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Analysing a task
  • Product analysis
  • Design specifications
  • Designing a textile product
  • Pattern drafting
  • Risk assessment
  • Modern and smart textile materials
  • Hand printing techniques
  • E-Textiles
  • Product construction using a sewing machine
  • Evaluation of made outcomes

Recommended Extra Resources
  • You Tube – video clips of hand printing techniques
  • Kitroniks - E-Textiles and Wearables Tutorials
  • BBC GCSE Bitesize – Product analysis and evaluation

Recommended Reading List
  • Design and Make it: Textiles Technology for Key Stage 3

Useful Tips

When completing design annotation give your work to someone who has no knowledge of your design ideas at all and ask them if they have all of the information that they would need to produce your product

 

DT - Resistant Materials Rotation

Subject: Resistant Materials DT

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Mechanisms (levers, linkages, gears, belts & pulleys, cam and follower)
  • Motion
  • Basic wood theory
  • Basic electronics theory
  • Evaluation

Recommended Extra Resources

www.technologystudent.com

Student Portal departmental teacher PowerPoints

Recommended Reading List
  • Which – Magazine
  • Designing – Magazine
  • Frank Lloyd Wright – by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and Peter Gossel

Useful Tips

Revise booklet as it holds all work covered.

 

Subject: Resistant Materials DT

Year 8 

Topics Covered
  • Resistant materials (wood, metal and plastics)
  • Pewter casting
  • Vacuum forming
  • Packaging
  • Evaluation

Recommended Extra Resources

www.technologystudent.com

Student Portal departmental teacher PowerPoints

Recommended Reading List
  • Which – Magazine
  • Designing – Magazine
  • Frank Lloyd Wright – by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and Peter Gossel

Useful Tips

Revise booklet as it holds all work covered.

DT - Food Rotation

Subject:  DT Food Technology

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Food hygiene
  • Food poisoning
  • Healthy eating
  • Nutrients and the body
  • Fibre
  • Food science: Functional properties of food
  • Dairy, cheese
  • Dietary requirements
  • Fruit and vegetables
  • Food miles
  • Design and make pasta task
  • Types of fish and fish tasting
  • Making a range of healthy recipes to develop practical skills
  • Safe use of equipment

Recommended Extra Resources

Online:

BBC Good food: www.bbcgoodfood.com

Food miles: http://www.foodmiles.com

Change for life, BBC: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life

Understanding the science of food: http://www.thecookeryteacher.com

Marine conservation society: https://www.mcsuk.org

British cheese: http://britishcheese.com/education

YouTube Fun kitchen food science clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0USi4DbRVVQ

BBC bitesize KS3: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zb8jmp3

Stefan Gates, Gastronauts, food science made fun! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0f5hnnSGWXhNQxDJdxlPsQ

Keeping abreast of stories in the news relating to food

Recommended Reading List
  • Jamie Oliver’s 15 Minute Meals – Jamie Oliver
  • Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals – Jamie Oliver
  • Mary Berry Foolproof Cooking – Mary Berry
  • Range of other cooking books (can borrow ones from Food – with permission)

Useful Tips
  • Links to science lessons (see recommended reading list)

 

Subject: DT Food Technology

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Healthy diets
  • Bread making and the function of yeast, completing a ‘gluten balls’ food science investigation
  • Protein
  • Food labelling looking at fats and sugar
  • Design and make task – taste testing, dietary requirement research, nutritional analysis
  • Factors affecting food choice - food miles & carbon footprint, food packaging & plastics
  • Young Cooks design
  • Making a range of healthy recipes to develop practical skills
  • Safe use of equipment

Recommended Extra Resources

Online:

BBC Good food: www.bbcgoodfood.com

Food miles: http://www.foodmiles.com

Change for life, BBC: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life

Understanding the science of food: http://www.thecookeryteacher.com

Marine conservation society: https://www.mcsuk.org

British cheese: http://britishcheese.com/education

YouTube Fun kitchen food science clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0USi4DbRVVQ

BBC bitesize KS3: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zb8jmp3

Stefan Gates, Gastronauts, food science made fun! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0f5hnnSGWXhNQxDJdxlPsQ

Keeping abreast of stories in the news relating to food

Recommended Reading List
  • Jamie Oliver’s 15 Minute Meals – Jamie Oliver
  • Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals – Jamie Oliver
  • Mary Berry Foolproof Cooking – Mary Berry
  • Range of other cooking books (can borrow ones from Food – with permission)

Useful Tips
  • Links to science lessons (see recommended reading list)

Business and Enterprise

Subject: BEN and Business and Enterprise

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Creating business ideas
  • Demand
  • Market research
  • Business aims and objectives
  • Operations
  • Marketing
  • Customer service

Recommended Extra Resources
  • BBC Bitesize Website
  • Stay up to date with news.

Recommended Reading List
  • The Impact of Big Business, M Jarman
  • How I Made It: 40 Successful Entrepreneurs Reveal How They Made Millions, Rachel Bridge
  • Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson

Useful Tips

Flashcards

Learn key terms early on

Subject: BEN and Business and Enterprise

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Skills and qualities
  • Recruitment process
  • Employment legislation
  • Job description and person specification
  • Application documents
  • Interviews

Recommended Extra Resources
  • BBC Bitesize Website
  • Stay up to date with news.

Recommended Reading List
  • The Impact of Big Business, M Jarman
  • How I Made It: 40 Successful Entrepreneurs Reveal How They Made Millions, Rachel Bridge
  • Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson

Useful Tips

Flashcards

Learn key terms early on

 

Computer Science

Subject: Computer Science

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Use of computers at IGS (including iPads)
  • E-Safety
  • Fundamentals of computer science – hardware, software components, input, output and storage devices
  • Representation of data, ASCII
  • Binary conversions, units
  • Computational thinking
  • Algorithms including use of flowcharts and pseudocode
  • Design, write and debug programs using Python
  • Spreadsheet software

Recommended Extra Resources

Website: BBC Bitesize KS3 Computer Science

Website: W3 schools

Recommended Reading List
  • Cs4fn magazines in M27 and E14
  • Computational fairy tales, Best Practices in Spell Design, CS Detective (al written by Jeremy Kubika)
  • Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmar
  • Computer Coding for Kids by Carol Vorderman
  • Who was Ada Lovelace? By Lucy Lethbridge

Useful Tips

Redo questions from the previous topics without looking at the solution when revising.

Make use of revision resources on Student Portal.

Use Gap Analysis after each assessment to identify key areas to work on before the next assessment. Ask your teacher if you are not sure about something.

Subject: Computer Science

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Boolean logic, logic gates and truth tables
  • Implementation of algorithms
  • Design, write and debug efficient programs using Scratch, including variables, sub-routines and procedures
  • Create webpages using HTML and CSS for a given audience

Recommended Extra Resources

Website: BBC Bitesize KS3 Computer Science

Website: W3 schools

Recommended Reading List
  • Cs4fn magazines in M27 and E14
  • Computational fairy tales, Best Practices in Spell Design, CS Detective (al written by Jeremy Kubika)
  • Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmar
  • Computer Coding for Kids by Carol Vorderman
  • Who was Ada Lovelace? By Lucy Lethbridge

Useful Tips

Redo questions from the previous topics without looking at the solution when revising.

Make use of revision resources on Student Portal.

Use Gap Analysis after each assessment to identify key areas to work on before the next assessment. Ask your teacher if you are not sure about something.

 

Religious Education

Subject: RE

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Introduction to World Religion
  • Christianity through The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
  • Abrahamic Faiths
  • Judaism
  • Islam

Recommended Extra Resources

https://www.biblegateway.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

Recommended Reading List
  • Narnia Chronicles – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
  • I am Malala

Useful Tips

Read and be aware of current affairs which influence religious beliefs.

Subject: RE

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Buddhism
  • Pilgrimage
  • Philosophy and Ethics

Recommended Extra Resources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
practices/hajj_1.shtml

Recommended Reading List
  • Sophie’s World
  • Lord of the Flies
  • The Diary of Anne Frank

Useful tips

Rewrite previous answers using the prompt guidance from teachers.

 

Performing Arts - Dance rotation

Subject: Dance

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • 5 Basic Body Actions
  • Chance Choreography
  • Professional Work – Rooster Christopher Bruce

Recommended Extra Resources

 

Recommended Reading List

Definition sheets and reading materials provided.

Hope in a Ballet Shoe – Michaela DePrince

The Body Can Speak – Annelise Mertz

Dancer and Dance – Merce Cunningham

Useful Tips

Keep an open mind about what Dance is as you will explore a variety of styles.

Subject: Dance

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Technical Performance piece – (Contemporary style).
  • Professional Work – Swansong Christopher Bruce
  • Guernica

Recommended Extra Resources

 

Recommended Reading List

Handouts supplied

Hope in a Ballet Shoe – Michaela DePrince

The Body Can Speak – Annelise Mertz

Dancer and Dance- Merce Cunningham

Useful tips

Researching topics around Swansong such as the novel titled ‘A Man’ Oriana Fallaci can aid your understanding of the themes.

 

Performing Arts - Drama Rotation

Subject: Drama

Year 7

 

Topics Covered
  • Mime
  • Script
  • Physical theatre
  • Devising from different stimuli
  • Shakespearean language
  • Pair work
  • Group work
  • Performance skills and related vocabulary
  • Whole School Production related work
  • Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream (AMSND) – William Shakespeare

 

Recommended Extra Resources

 

Recommended Reading List
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream - William Shakespeare
  • Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
  • Playful Plays:Vol.1 David Farmer

 

Useful Tips
  • Observe! Professional actors often inform their performances by observing other people who are different from themselves. Consider the different pace of an older person or a very young child. The gestures and facial expressions people use when they experience different emotions.
  • Try to see live theatre – local amateur productions are a good place to start!
  • Join a theatre group.
  • Check the portal for support materials and discussions

Subject: Drama

Year 8

 

Topics Covered
  • Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare
  • Physical theatre
  • Commedia dell Arte
  • Stock characters
  • Scripted work
  • Devising from different stimuli
  • Shakespearean text
  • Pair work
  • Group work
  • Performance skills and related vocabulary
  • Whole School Production related work

 

Recommended Extra Resources

Support materials posted on the portal

 

Recommended Reading List

 

Useful Tips
  • Access the new OCR specification that we follow at GCSE. Have a look and see if the course suits you, if you have any questions your Drama teacher will always available to answer any questions.

 

Music

Subject: Music

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Musical Elements, incl Pitch, Tempo, Dynamics, Structure, Rhythm & Melody
  • Songs of the British Isles
  • Keyboard Chords
  • Ukulele chords
  • 12 Bar Blues

Recommended Extra Resources

BBC Radio 3

teoria.com (for aural skills)

Recommended Reading List
  • Daily quality newspaper Arts’ coverage
  • BBC Music Magazine (available in School Library)

Useful Tips

Become involved in practical music-making, as a singer or instrumentalist. There’s no shortage of opportunities!

Subject: Music

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Extended Chords
  • Tritones
  • Song-writing
  • Orchestral instruments – tuned percussion

Recommended Extra Resources

Revision Guide

Recommended Websites

Recommended Reading List
  • Daily quality newspaper Arts’ coverage
  • BBC Music Magazine (available in School Library)

Useful Tips

Keep your ears open to ALL kinds of music (not just your Spotify list)

 

Physical Education

Subject: PE

Year 7

Topics Covered
  • Netball
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Badminton
  • Tag Rugby
  • Team Building
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Capture the Flag
  • Orienteering
  • Lacrosse
  • Athletics
  • Rounders
  • Cricket
  • Gymnastics
  • Fitness

Recommended Extra Resources

www.kentnetball.co.uk - Netball

http://www.kcaa.org.uk - Athletics

http://www.suttonvalencehockey.com - Hockey

http://www.paddockwoodac.co.uk - Athletics

Recommended Reading List
  • Jessica Ennis Autobiography – Unbelievable
  • Alex Morgan - Breakaway: Beyond the Goal
  • Finishing Kick – Paul Duffau
  • Grace, Gold and Glory – My Leap of Faith – Gabrielle Douglas

Useful Tips
  • Research the rules of the sports you are playing by looking on the relevant Governing Body websites. This would be useful to complete before you start the lesson.
  • Watch YouTube clips of the sports you are playing so you get an idea about how to play the sports.

Subject: PE

Year 8

Topics Covered
  • Netball
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Badminton
  • Tag Rugby
  • Team Building
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Capture the Flag
  • Orienteering
  • Lacrosse
  • Athletics
  • Rounders
  • Cricket
  • Gymnastics

Recommended Extra Resources

www.kentnetball.co.uk - Netball

http://www.kcaa.org.uk - Athletics

http://www.suttonvalencehockey.com - Hockey

http://www.paddockwoodac.co.uk - Athletics

Recommended Reading List
  • Jessica Ennis Autobiography – Unbelievable
  • Alex Morgan - Breakaway: Beyond the Goal
  • Finishing Kick – Paul Duffau
  • Grace, Gold and Glory – My Leap of Faith – Gabrielle Douglas

Useful Tips
  • Research the rules of the sports you are playing by looking on the relevant Governing Body websites. This would be useful to complete before you start the lesson.
  • Watch YouTube clips of the sports you are playing
  • so you get an idea about how to play the sports.