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
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Subject: English |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Visit the theatre to see a live performance; read as much variety of fiction and non-fiction as possible |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Use your opinions and always justify your ideas from the text |
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Subject: English |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Read the newspapers (online or in print) – local and national and watch the news |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful tips |
Always be aware of the world around you – your local community, national and international current affairs |
Maths
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Subject: Maths |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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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) |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Subject: Maths |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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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) |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Science
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Subject: Science |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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. |
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Subject: Science |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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)
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Subject: French |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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 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. |
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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.
A French classic! A series of books that follow Martine’s adventures.
Another classic for children. |
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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 !! |
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Subject: French |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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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. |
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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.
A French classic! A series of books that follow Martine’s adventures.
Another classic for children. |
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Useful Tips |
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MFL (German)
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Subject: German |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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…). |
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Subject: German |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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)
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Subject: Spanish |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Mira 1 Workbook Quizlet (application or website, ideal for vocabulary revision) studyspanish.com (ideal for practising your pronunciation) |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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. |
History
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Subject: History |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Subject: History |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Recommended Websites http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/20th_century/ |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Geography
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Subject: Geography |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tps |
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Subject: Geography |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Art
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Subject: Art |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Revision Guide on Student Portal. |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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. |
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Subject: Art |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Revision Guide on Student Portal. |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Practice observational drawing by looking at the object for 80% of the time. Enhance written analysis by using PEE. |
DT - Textiles Rotation
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Subject: DT Textiles |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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 |
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Subject: DT Textiles |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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
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Subject: Resistant Materials DT |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Student Portal departmental teacher PowerPoints |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Revise booklet as it holds all work covered. |
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Subject: Resistant Materials DT |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Student Portal departmental teacher PowerPoints |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Revise booklet as it holds all work covered. |
DT - Food Rotation
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Subject: DT Food Technology |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Subject: DT Food Technology |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Business and Enterprise
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Subject: BEN and Business and Enterprise |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Flashcards Learn key terms early on |
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Subject: BEN and Business and Enterprise |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Flashcards Learn key terms early on |
Computer Science
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Subject: Computer Science |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Website: BBC Bitesize KS3 Computer Science Website: W3 schools |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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. |
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Subject: Computer Science |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Website: BBC Bitesize KS3 Computer Science Website: W3 schools |
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Recommended Reading List |
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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
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Subject: RE |
Year 7 |
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Course Content
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3 religious, philosophical and ethical units focusing on the shape of religion in the UK today and across the world. Thematic focus provides links between religious traditions and expands understanding of contemporary context and issues. |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Each unit contains a Topic Checksheet with links to relevant websites and publications. Students can supplement this with:
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Useful Tips |
Every lesson is built around specific skills – Knowledge, Understanding and Evaluation. These skills provide the framework for engaging with complex issues to do with belief in contemporary society and across the world. Make sure you are aware of the different ways of thinking and writing for each of the skills. This will help you to use the knowledge you already have and apply it to new and confusing ideas with confidence. |
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Subject: RE |
Year 8 |
| Course Content | 3 religious, philosophical and ethical units focusing on the shape of religion in the UK today and across the world. Thematic focus provides links between religious traditions and expands understanding of contemporary context and issues. |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Each unit contains a Topic Checksheet with links to relevant websites and publications. Students can supplement this with:
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Useful tips |
Every lesson is built around specific skills – Knowledge, Understanding and Evaluation. These skills provide the framework for engaging with complex issues to do with belief in contemporary society and across the world. Make sure you are aware of the different ways of thinking and writing for each of the skills. This will help you to use the knowledge you already have and apply it to new and confusing ideas with confidence. |
Performing Arts - Dance rotation
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Subject: Dance |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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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 |
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Useful Tips |
Keep an open mind about what Dance is as you will explore a variety of styles. |
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Subject: Dance |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
Handouts supplied Hope in a Ballet Shoe – Michaela DePrince The Body Can Speak – Annelise Mertz Dancer and Dance- Merce Cunningham |
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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
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Subject: Drama |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Subject: Drama |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Support materials posted on the portal
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Music
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Subject: Music |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
BBC Radio 3 teoria.com (for aural skills) |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Become involved in practical music-making, as a singer or instrumentalist. There’s no shortage of opportunities! |
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Subject: Music |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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Recommended Extra Resources |
Revision Guide Recommended Websites |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
Keep your ears open to ALL kinds of music (not just your Spotify list) |
Physical Education
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Subject: PE |
Year 7 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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Subject: PE |
Year 8 |
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Topics Covered |
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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 |
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Recommended Reading List |
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Useful Tips |
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