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Please select which section of The Academic Page is relevant for you: |
Below is our year 7 curriculum information. You can download a word document version of this to read or print from your computer by either opening, or right clicking and downloading here. |
Christ’s College Guildford Year 7 2008 – 2009 Guidelines to courses and information At Christ’s College, everyone is special, made in the image of God Dear Learners and Parent(s) At Christ’s College we are committed to working with learners and parents in a partnership. We seek to keep both learners and parents informed about what we do here, how we go about it and the aims we are trying to achieve. These details are supported by our ethos statement, “At Christ’s College everyone is special, made in the image of God and needs to be treated with respect”. This booklet, I am sure, will go a long way to helping learners and parents understand our curriculum. It breaks down each subject – identifying what understanding and knowledge each is trying to convey, what topics will be covered and some of the resources we will use. I very much hope that parents will find this information helpful in their support of learners as they progress through the College (Year 7, Key Stage 3). I very much hope that learners will be able to refer to this booklet to gain an overview of how the work they are doing at any moment fits in with the bigger plan. We welcome parents’ co-operation in ensuring that all learners come to lessons properly equipped with pens, pencils, rubber, ruler, appropriate books etc, as well as any specialist equipment needed for particular lessons (e.g. PE, Technology). All items should be marked with the learner’s name and carried in a suitable bag. This booklet is a symbol of our determination to work in partnership – home and College – putting the learner at the heart of our endeavours. The staff here at Christ’s College share with parents a responsibility to ensure learners are thriving. We will set challenging targets for learners and will seek parents’ support in achieving them. The information you will find here will help us to work together to this end.
ENGLISH The importance of Year 7 is recognised by Christ’s College. It is crucial to build upon the skills acquired in Year 6 and as a foundation year in Key Stage 3 which culminate in the end of Key Stage tests, or SATs. Christ’s College prides itself on its transition arrangements offering ‘taster’ lessons in Year 6 and setting a small task for completion during the summer break as an introduction to the College. Learners will study the following units: Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Learners will also be expected to undertake Optional or Progress tests later in the year. Optional tests give an accurate indication of the level at which the learners are performing whilst Progress tests measure the progress that lower level learners have made after studying specific strategies to raise their achievement. Wide and regular reading is encouraged at all times. We endeavour to instil a habit of reading for pleasure and encourage the keeping of a reading journal. A sample book list of titles that your child may enjoy is included with this information. Growing up/Relationships Ackroyd P: Gymnast Gilly the Champ Historical Bawden N: Carrie’s War Humour Dahl R: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Myths and Legends Green R L: The Adventures of Robin Hood, King Arthur Poetry Webb E: I Like That Poem Science Fiction Bradbury R: The Halloween Tree Fantasy and Ghosts Aiken J: Midnight is a Place, Blackhearts in Battersea, Pre-Twentieth Century Nesbitt E E: Railway Children, Five Children and It etc MATHEMATICSMathematics is taught to all learners from Year 7 to Year 9. The depth to which learners study Mathematics will depend on the ability of each individual learner. They will be set according to ability, and as a result of continuous assessment, these groupings may change as they develop mathematically. Learners will follow the new secondary curriculum phased in from September 2008. The development of the new curriculum will have a focus on key concepts and key processes. It includes a framework for personal, learning and thinking skills and functional skills embedded in the programmes of study. The Mathematics taught at Key Stage 3 will be a balance between tasks which develop knowledge, skills and understanding and those which provides an opportunity to tackle practical problems. Whilst it is important that learners work individually, group work is encouraged. The practical and investigative aspect of the new secondary curriculum will enhance learners' mathematical experiences, giving relevance and meaning to concepts learnt. Problem-solving activities can be enjoyable and facilitate good learning. The four attainment targets studied are:
At present all Year 9 learners sit their SATs in May. This consists of two one-hour written papers and a twenty-minute mental test. Differentiation in the SATs is achieved by using four tiers of papers: Levels 3 to 5, 4 to 6, 5 to 7 and 6 to 8.
SCIENCE To reflect the new National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 we will be using the ‘Go Science’ package from September 2008. This closely follows the Qualifications and Curriculum’s Authority’s scheme. In Year 7 learners will study seven units, each one covering a different topic. Unit 1 Staying Alive In this unit learners:
Unit 2: Why are we different? In this unit learners:
Unit 3: What are things made of? In this unit learners:
Unit 4: Be Reactive! In this unit learners:
Unit 5: How Things Move In this unit learners:
Unit 6: Using Energy In this unit learners:
Unit 7: Earth, Space and beyond In this unit learners:
These units are studied with due regard to the cross-curricular themes of numeracy, literacy and Personal, Social and Health education and cover the appropriate Citizenship themes that have been assigned to Science through the College Citizenship Policy. At the end of each unit learners are assessed with an on-line end of unit test to determine their current National Curriculum working level compared to their target. We welcome parental support in ensuring that learners have their own equipment (pen, pencil, ruler, eraser and calculator) for use in class, and complete all homework to the best of their ability.
ART In line with the National Curriculum guidelines learners are given opportunities to experience different approaches to Art and Design covering the Objective and Design aspects. They explore the visual elements in structured projects using a variety of media and learn to research visual sources including artists and cultures from which ideas are developed and final pieces realised. In Year 7 learners complete projects based on discovering the Arts including learning about a variety of art styles and movements; Indigenous Art concentrating on signs and symbols and the exploration of Urban Concerns. The final examination is based on an observational drawing task exploring all the techniques learnt so far. Assessment All learners continuously receive verbal feedback on how they are progressing. Homework is marked using a National Curriculum level and every half term classwork is given a level, effort grade and target for improvement.
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (FOOD) During Year 7 every learner will have an opportunity to experience Food Technology as part of their Key Stage 3 Design Technology experience. The Year 7 course is a mixture of written work, experiments and practical work. We hope that all learners will enjoy the Year 7 Food course and will learn not only about food safety and hygiene, technology in the kitchen and healthy eating but how to make some useful recipes to help them in their everyday lives. The Year 7 course will allow learners to find out and practice how to use food materials to help them design and make new food products which are nutritious, well presented and hygienically made. The Year 7 course is made up of ‘Modules’. Learners receive a workbook for each Module that includes details of all their lessons, practical dates and homework tasks. All these dates are transferred into their Planners at the start of each module to help them get organised. All the workbooks are produced in College and paid for by the department; unfortunately this means that we do need to charge for each replacement to cover printing costs. We like to keep parents as informed as possible. Each workbook contains the recipes that will be used in that Module. It is important that learners remember to bring ingredients for each practical lesson. In Food Technology, taking part in practical lessons is as important as bringing the workbook to the lessons. GEOGRAPHY Geography is taught to all learners in Year 7 once a week; this rises to two lessons per week in Years 8 and 9. This year (2008-9) sees the introduction of a new course to meet the requirements of the revised National Curriculum. The new course aims to encourage learners to develop an understanding of, and appreciation for, the natural and human world. After a short Introduction to Geography and baseline assessment, we study five units, each of six or seven lessons. These are My Place in the World, Geography Toolkit, Exploring Britain, How the Other Half Lives and Conflict along the Coast. Most of the materials we use are taken from the Geography 123 series that is published by Oxford University Press. The first book in the series, Geography 1 retails for around £13 and it is useful, though not essential, to have a copy for reference at home (ISBN 0 19 913449 9). It is also helpful to have access to an up-to-date atlas. Subject to there being sufficient interest, an educational visit to Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex is proposed for the Summer Term. Details of this will follow in due course. HISTORY History aims to fire learners' curiosity and imagination, moving and inspiring them with the dilemmas, choices and beliefs of people in the past. As they develop their understanding of the nature of historical study, learners ask and answer important questions, evaluate evidence, identify and analyse different interpretations of the past, and learn to substantiate any arguments and judgements they make. The curriculum studied in Year 7 is:
Assessment and HomeworkThe learners are assessed each half term. Homework is used to support the learning that has taken place in the classroom. ICT (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY) In Year 7 there is one ICT lesson per week, which lasts one hour. We follow the new National Curriculum guidelines, which takes effect from September 2008. The course is split into six modules – one every half term. At the end of each half term the learners will have produced a project, which is then marked and awarded a national curriculum level and sub level. After an introductory session on safe use of the internet, the modules are: Module 1 Planning, designing and delivering a high quality multimedia presentation The lessons typically start with a short all-together session where we explore ideas and share information. Then, learners work either individually or in teams to solve problems using a range of ICT devices. Most commonly this will be a high spec desk-top computer. The aim of the learning is to encourage learners to apply ICT to all their subjects at College and through this to everyday life. The intention is to make ICT both relevant and fun. MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES The languages course at Key Stage 3 aims to establish a basis of understanding, so that learners can understand and communicate in French. They would, ideally, take part in one of the trips to France, and use this opportunity to practise their skills. Topics covered during Year 7:
There is also a distinct focus on expanding learners' knowledge of other cultures, with specific reference to a variety of Francophone countries. The course book Métro is used, although the department uses materials from a wide range of other resources. We also regularly use ICT programmes and software (most of which can be accessed at home) which enables learners to work independently on extension activities or any areas for development.
MUSICDuring Key Stage 3 Music, learners develop their musical knowledge and understanding through the inter-related skills of performing, composing, listening and appraising. They also have the opportunity to develop their attitude, enthusiasm and ability to contribute to groups as well as a general sense of responsibility. In Year 7, learners will cover a range of topics, including:
As music is practical in nature, homework is set as and when appropriate, to broaden the learners' understanding. Extra-curricular activities include the College Production, House Music Festival, the Carol Service and Summer Festival. Clubs are set up depending on learners' interests and needs. Learners are encouraged to take up a musical instrument as an extra-curricular activity. Lessons (group/individual) are available from professional musicians and greatly increase enjoyment in music.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION The Physical Education course can be viewed as the bridge between all the work that learners have been taught previously in Key Stage 2 and the more advanced study at Key Stage 3. At Christ’s College we understand that learners come to us with a wide variety of sporting experiences and we aim to draw this all together in Year 7, preparing learners for more in-depth study in Years 8 and 9. Wherever possible learners are taught in single sex groupings throughout their time in Key Stage 3. In Year 7 learners are set into mixed ability groups, which allows them to bring all those separate experiences together. As they move through the Key Stage they may find themselves placed into sets based on ability, with an upper and lower group; each learner will therefore be able to work at their own pace. All classes in Key Stage 3 will receive the mandatory two hours high quality Physical Education per week. The new National Curriculum in Physical Education will give the learners a much more rounded education by delivering following key concepts:
Within each of these key concepts is a number of essential skills and processes in physical education that learners need to be taught to make progress:
In addition Physical Education is also linked to a number of other subjects and helps deliver a range of cross-curricular themes (for example English, Maths, Science, Citizenship and ICT).
Religious Education at Christ's College includes Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, with a particular focus on Christianity. Learners will be encouraged to respond critically but respectfully to different points of view, and to explain their own beliefs and opinions with reasons and examples. They will be challenged to look beyond first appearances and consider the deeper meaning and symbolism of stories and actions that they encounter. As well as more traditional approaches to learning they will experience 'The Island', where the classroom will be transformed into an Island scenario, and the learners into shipwrecked travellers who will have to explore issues of spirituality and morality by imagining how they would act in this situation. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Christ's College has a very successful Learning Support Department (LSD). A team of highly qualified and committed staff work together to provide individual learning, language and behaviour support across all years and abilities. Learners are assessed on entry to Christ's College and where appropriate identified learners are placed on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Register. Specialist programmes are provided such as reading and spelling groups, paired reading, numeracy and help with examination and coursework requirements. A team of Teaching Assistants (TAs) assist learners requiring support in mainstream lessons. The LSD also works with outside agencies to provide further support. The LSD encompasses a Speech Language and Communication Centre (SLCN Centre) and a Learner Support Centre (LSC). The SLCN Centre addresses the needs of learners with a language disorder/impairment or difficulties associated with Aspergers, and are supported by a speech and language therapist. Support is provided through language groups, one-to-one sessions and small group work. Teaching Assistant assistance in class is provided in targeted lessons. The Learner Support Centre provides support for learners experiencing behavioural, emotional or social difficulties. It provides a calm and supportive environment for learners and assists their return to mainstream lessons. Further support is provided through self esteem groups, social skills and anger management programmes. |
There is the following information available for external candidates.
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