English (Mrs Margarita, Mr Sullivan and Ms McGhee): 

In Year 8 this term, learners began with a baseline assessment before exploring Gothic Literature. Learners will look at the conventions of Gothic Literature and will then study specific Gothic stories such as Dracula, Frankenstein and Jane Eyre to see these conventions and a variety of language features being used for effect. 

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After half term, the focus moves to non-fiction texts. Learners will study a variety of non-fiction texts such as newspaper articles and reports, with an emphasis on analysis as well as writing their own examples of non-fiction writing. Alongside this, we will continue the Star Reader programme, weekly SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and handwriting lessons to strengthen fluency and core literacy skills.

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Maths:

In Year 8, the focus moves more towards proportional reasoning, beginning with ratio, scaling and multiplicative change. Learners also develop fluency with multiplying and dividing fractions, strengthen their understanding of coordinates by working in all four quadrants and are introduced to scatter graphs and probability representations. Sequences, estimation and rounding are revisited throughout, ensuring pupils are able to handle number and data with increasing sophistication. The half-term blends number fluency with early algebraic and statistical reasoning.

 

Science:

This term, Chemistry lessons will focus on the periodic table, while Physics will cover fluids and their behaviour. In Biology, learners will study food and nutrition, concluding with plant structure and reproduction.

 

Humanities: History, Geography & RE.

History: 

In History this term, we will start by finding out about the key events during the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I and how these Tudor kings and queens were involved in the Reformation and the religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants. After half term, we will investigate the life of Elizabeth I and her attempts to solve the religious conflict in England and find out how James I became king and the events surrounding the Gunpowder Plot.

 

Geography:

In Geography this term, we will start by looking at an example of fieldwork and why it is important in Geography and how the use of Geographical Information Systems can help in the analysis and gathering of data. We will also look at the world’s and the UK’s changing population and how it is affecting planet Earth. After half term, we will be finding out about urbanisation around the world and in the UK, migration to cities from the countryside and life in the slums of Lagos. 

 

RE:

In RE this term, we will be exploring many aspects about the Hindu faith. We will examine Hindu beliefs about God, karma and rebirth and also look at the different types of Hindu scripture and how Hindus worship in temples or at home. After half term, we will be looking at how Hindus live their lives, about Hindu celebrations and finding out about different types of Hindus.

 

PSHE: (Mr. Lee and Mr. Green) 

Within the PSHE curriculum, learners will access a different range of topics including healthy relationships, growing & changing, physical & mental wellbeing, bullying, online safety & discrimination, sex education and consent and living in the wider world. Within these topics the year 8 classes will develop an understanding of how the topic applies to them and how to deal with different situations that can arise through their adolescence. 

 

CDM (Creative Digital Media): (Mr Rowntree)

Learners will start their CDM year by developing skills learnt in year 7. They will use Google Slides to create posters combining text and images and extend their work by using Canva and Photoshop. They will use these skills later in the year when they take their own photographs and use these images to create a product, such as a Wanted poster or a movie poster.

 

Music: 

This half term in music, learners will be recapping some basic skills we learnt in year 7 lessons. We will revisit our note values and note names and then extend this learning by understanding triplet notes and how they can add colour and character to our composition and performing work. After half term, we will be looking at structure in musical composition. We will consider how classical structures and more popular structures such as verse and chorus can be enhanced with instrumental sections and middle 8s. We will be exploring this through listening, performing and composition tasks. 

 

Drama:

This term, learners will deepen their understanding of pantomime by evaluating how its key features (such as stock characters, audience participation, comedy, music, and spectacle) can be used to engage an audience, and by applying this knowledge to the Christmas production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ They will take increasing responsibility for their chosen role whether performing, supporting backstage (props, set, costumes, technical), or contributing to organisational tasks (publicity, programme design, front of house) demonstrating initiative, problem-solving, and creativity. Through this process, learners will refine their collaborative skills and develop a more sophisticated awareness of how different theatrical elements combine to create a successful performance.

 

Art: 

Learners are currently producing a comic book style portrait in the style of the pop artist Roy Litchenstein. They are using bold primary colours, Ben Day dots and black outlines. Once these are complete they will look at how to draw realistic features applying tone and plenty of detail. They will then create an expressionistic style WANTED poster, adding a cowboy hat and the Wanted and Reward signs. Towards the end of the autumn term learners will create Christmas crafts. 

 

Design Technology: 

Year 8 are working on a graphic design unit, designing and making their own cereal with free gifts. Learners will learn simple graphic design principles and will have the opportunity to make their free gifts out of different materials, one being 3D printed outcomes. 

 

Food Technology: 

This half term, learners will build on the knowledge and skills acquired in Year 7. They will focus on making pastry and simple recipes independently, while continuing to develop their understanding of kitchen safety and food hygiene.

 

PE: (Mr. Lee and Mr. Green):

In P.E, learners will take part in various different sporting activities including invasion sports, net and racket, target sports, athletics and health related fitness. In year 8 we continue to work on developing their fundamental skills and being able to show these more consistently. Learners also begin to develop an understanding of the importance of working in a team. 

 

Forest School: 

This term in Forest School, we will be helping to care for the site by undertaking jobs such as weeding paths, laying bark and making log piles for the newts to overwinter in. When we have something to celebrate, such as a learner’s birthday, we will also be learning to make campfires and using the fire to cook snacks.