Curriculum Information for Year 7

English: 
During the first half term, learners will be exploring War Poetry and learning more about the devices used in poems. This will evolve into rhyme, rhythm and structure. During the second part of the half term, learners will be developing skills for informal and formal writing, as well as looking at features of speech and transactional dialogue. 

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Maths:
In maths this half term we are finishing the topic of working with negative numbers before moving on to look at finding the nth term of sequences. We will complete this half term by working with algebraic notation. After half term we will revisit and extend our knowledge of place value and ordering integers and decimals, before working with fraction, decimal and percentage equivalence. 
Some year 7 learners will be focusing on their times tables, multiplication and division as well as looking at factors. They will learn how to use the lattice method of multiplication and bus stop division. After the half term break they will focus on length and perimeter before working with fractions.

Science:
During the spring term, learners will be covering all three disciplines of science. Within biology, learners will learn about animal sexual reproduction. They will experiment with acids and alkalis and look into the particle model in chemistry. In physics they will be enlightened by electricity. As always this will be delivered by both theory sessions as well as practical sessions in the laboratory.

PSHE: 
Learners will be visiting topics based around relationships, health and wellbeing. These include what is puberty and periods, emotional resilience, safe relationships and online bullying. Further information can be found on our school website under the PSHE link. 

Humanities: History, Geography & RE.

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History:
In History this term, we will start by looking at Norman England and how William the Conqueror maintained control of his new kingdom. After half term, we will be looking at the importance of religion in the Middle Ages and why there were Crusades to the Holy Land.

Geography: 

In Geography this term we will start by learning about Glaciation. We will investigate where ice is found around the world and learn about how glaciers are formed. Then we will explore how glacial processes transform landscapes and create a wide range of glacial landforms.

RE: 

Within RE this term, we will be exploring many aspects of the Christian faith. During the first half of the spring term we will learn about how Christianity influences the UK today, the holy trinity, the miracles Jesus performed as well as the ten commandments. Later on in the term, we will learn about how Christians worship as well as why the church and bible are so important to Christians. We also hope to welcome a visitor from the local church, Eona, to share the Easter story with us, using props. 

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ICT:
In the first half of the spring term, we will look at communication using IT equipment; this will include how to send a professional email, how to create visual impact in a poster to convey a message with few words, and creating a web page with a consistent style, including images, carousels and links. After the half term break, we will look at databases; we will learn what their uses are, how to put information into one and how to query using precise criteria. We will also create a simple database table and add data to it.

DT (Design and Technology):
Learners will be designing and making a simple tote bag based on a given theme. The focus of the project will be design and creative skills, along with introducing how to thread and use the sewing machine safely and correctly along with learning basic techniques such as seams, applique and attaching straps.

CDM (Creative Digital Media): 
In the first half of the spring term, learners in Steinbacher and Tesla class are completing audio tasks started in the autumn term. This involves recording their prepared scripts and editing the audio files with additional sound effects and / or music using Adobe Audition. Learners have chosen their own projects which include a rap, comedy sketch and interviews.
In spring term 2, learners in Steinbacher and Tesla class will work on video projects. This will involve stop motion filming and an introduction to filming with video cameras. Learners will edit their work using Adobe Premiere. Wiltshire class will be completing the tasks in the opposite order.

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Music: 
In spring term one, learners will be looking at music from South America including Reggae, Salsa, Samba and Calypso. We’ll be looking at why the music is so eclectic and how they use percussion instruments, especially steel pans, to create exciting syncopated rhythms. 
In spring term two, we’ll be moving on to study Hip Hop and Rap, looking at the history and culture of the genre. We will be writing and performing our own raps with our own backing tracks made on the music software. 

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Art:
In the spring term, learners are looking at Roy Litchenstein, the Pop Artist, and creating comic book style portraits using primary colours, black outlines, Ben Day dots and thought bubbles. Once these are complete they are going to learn how to draw features following a step by step guide. They will then draw a portrait in an Expressionist style adding shadows and tone. This portrait will be transformed into a WANTED poster by adding cowboy hats, cactus, a sunset sky behind and of course the WANTED and REWARD message. 

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Forest School:
Over the course of the spring term, learners will have the opportunity to learn how to use a fire striker and to build and keep a fire alight. There will also be opportunities to take part in collaborative games, campfire cooking sessions, whittling and natural crafts. We will also be making the most of the changing seasons in our beautiful Forest School area by playing with ice and making ice decorations. As Spring blossoms, we will be looking out for birds making nests and the first signs of Spring springing!

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Drama:
In the spring term, some year 7 learners will be studying and participating in various workshops on the play ‘The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night Time’ by Simon Stephens. All year 7 learners will be participating in various games and exercises that will support focus, concentration and team building skills. 

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PE:
This term we are studying health related fitness in which we will test the learners on their different components of fitness; strength, power, speed, reaction time, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, strength and balance. Learners will test in weeks 1 and week 7 and in between they will look at different health related fitness sessions they are able to use to show improvement on their component of fitness. We will be completing circuit training, FIIT class, continuous training and Fartlek training to provide knowledge of exercises students can use to lead a healthy active lifestyle before retesting.

Mandarin:

In the Spring term, we are going to learn the following things linked to numbers, a topic which has a wide appeal to our year 7 learners:

• 0-10 to talk about year 2024 (with each single number reading out individually), students’ and parents’ birth years, 

• Days of the week (which are numbered in Mandarin) and class schedules.

• 11-20 to talk about months of the year(which are named based on their ordinal sequence), and important occasions throughout the year.

• 20-99 to talk about family birthdays.

• We will also talk about the ‘Year of Dragon,’ and possible celebrations such as practising Chinese calligraphy and making traditional Chinese food such as bao buns and dumplings.

Food Technology:
This term students will be covering pastry to show understanding of how one food product can be extremely versatile in regards to creating sweet and savoury foods and snacks to main meals. Alongside this, learners will learn safe practices in a kitchen which includes covering the basic hygiene rules they will need to follow.