Subject	Course Details	Revision date
Art	In art, craft and design, students explore visual, tactile and sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. Students investigate and develop a range of practical skills and processes. Students will explore the Formal Elements through projects including landscape and portrait painting. They will develop drawing skills through observational drawing and mark making. Three dimensional constructions will be explored resulting in the production of sculptures and vessels. By the end of Year 7, students are expected to achieve a level between 3 and 5, with an average student working at level 4.	09/06/2010
Arts (SCG)	Students focus on developing their practical skills through drawing, painting and other creative media. They also have opportunities to learn dance skills and creative drama activities.	05/07/2010
D&T	Students have studied electronics and control, making a steady hand game using electronic components basic wood working skills using a number of tools, resources and equipment. They have also developed their Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills to facilitate their designing. In Food Studies, students have covered food hygiene, nutrition, dietary goals, sensory evaluation and practical skills in preparing, cooking and serving food. In Textiles, students have learned hand and sewing machine techniques including appliqué and cushion design and manufacture based on a wildlife theme.	01/07/2010
Drama	The Drama course in Year 7 is a predominantly practical course with continuous assessment. The students look into a number of issues and themes mainly through group role-play. They are assessed on their development of drama during the rehearsal process, their presentation and performance skills and their evaluation of the practical work. By the end of Year 7 the average level is 3-4.	28/06/2010
English	In line with the National Literacy Strategy, Year 7 begins with a ‘transition unit’ enabling teachers to assess students’ skills quickly, and to ease students into the routines of the Secondary English classroom. Students are then required within the National Curriculum framework to develop their writing over a range of different forms. Students’ learning is enhanced by the use of Interactive Whiteboards and ICT. By the end of Year 7, students are expected to have achieved Level 5.	28/06/2010
French	In Year 7 students learn basic conversational language. They can introduce themselves and give some basic background information about their families, activities and school life. They are familiar with basic grammar, including the present tense. Students should achieve at least a national curriculum level 2 and many could reach level 4 in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills	09/06/2010
Geography	In Year 7 students complete 5 geography modules. Students have been encouraged to develop basic skills in Geography, including the use of an atlas and an Ordnance Survey map. This making connections module also provided an introduction to physical, human and environmental geography. In their second module they have studied past and present settlements. An extended project about locating a new settlement was used to assess the learning of this module. The third module considered the formation of river landforms and the impacts of flooding. The fourth module involved looking at the globalisation of the sport industry. The final module will consist of a study of countries within the EU. By the end of the Year 7, students are expected to achieve a level between 3c and 5a, with an average student working at level 4b.	08/06/2010
History	During Year 7, the topics covered are an introduction unit called ‘What is History?’ , the Romans, Medieval England and a focus on the Crusades . The students finish with a Local History Project. The students are expected to achieve a National Curriculum Level in the range 3c to 6a, which is assessed by teacher set assessments and an end of year exam.	08/06/2010
ICT	There are 3 units in Year 7 ICT: In unit 1 students produce a virtual tour of the school using presentation software. They learn to select and use appropriate fonts, texts, and images to suit a given audience and purpose. They assess their presentations critically, learning about self and peer evaluation. In unit 2 students make a cats and dogs spreadsheet model, gaining an understanding of variables, formulae and how models are used in real life. They also design and make a leaflet. In the final unit, Making a Game, students learn Flash animation skills, and how rules make every model and game work the way they do. The range of likely levels across the year group is 4c – 5a.	27/06/2010
Literacy	The aim of the sessions is to boost literacy skills in a small group setting. Students are offered support to enhance their skills in comprehension and organisation. Students also work towards gaining a greater understanding and acceptance of their differences.	28/06/2010
Mathematics	Students are taught in their tutor groups in Year 7 covering the three main areas of the National Curriculum for Mathematics: Number & Algebra, Shape Space & Measure and Handling Data. Students use the Collins Mathematics text books to support lessons and all the homework is set both in a homework book and online with extra material available there. Each unit is assessed with a National Curriculum level. At the end of the academic year, students are assessed by two written examination papers and a mental mathematics test played from a tape, the percentage results of which are transposed to NC levels which are used in conjunction with the teacher’s input for setting in the subsequent year. By the end of year 7 the range of levels is from 3c to 7a.	28/06/2010
Music	During Year 7 music students study a range of styles and traditions from folk music to melody writing and Indian music. They work individually and in groups to explore specific genres, styles and traditions from different times and cultures. Students perform and compose music in different styles to increase their understanding of musical devices, processes and influences. By the end of year 7 students are expected to reach level 4.	29/06/2008
PE	Students have three periods a week. In the double period they do swimming or athletics. In the single period, students learn ball skills (football, basketball, tennis, cricket and rounders) for half a term, followed by dance and gymnastics for the next half term. At the end of year seven, students should have reached level 4b.	02/07/2010
PSHCE	The Year 7 PSHCE course is designed to enhance students’ understanding and awareness of the personal, social, citizenship and health issues important to the development of young people. We hope that students will become active, informed citizens, able to participate fully in their communities. Areas of study include anti-bullying, rights and responsibilities, careers, sex and relationships and drugs education. Debate and discussion, group activities, video and guest speakers form an important part of the course.	28/06/2010
RE	Students are introduced to the key concepts and issues in Religious Education, whilst promoting awareness, respect and tolerance of the spiritual nature of life. Students explore the history, nature and founders of the main world religions. Religious signs and symbols and their meanings are also examined, as are debates about life after death. A range of teaching methods is employed including debate, group work and DVD.	01/07/2010
Science	In Year 7, students take the new KS3 science programme of study with a number of key concepts that underpin the study of science and how science works. The key concepts and processes are scientific thinking, applications and implications of science, communication, collaboration, practical and enquiry skills. Students study biological topics of cells, tissues and organs, reproduction, classification and food webs, chemical topics of working in a laboratory, particles and reactions, weathering and fossils and physical topics of energy transfers, forces and speed. Students are assessed through written tests and assessing pupil progress criteria. The expected level at the end of year 7 is level 4/5 with the majority of students gaining level 6 at the end of KS3 in year 9.	25/05/2010
SEAL/Kickstart	These sessions focus on developing the Social and Emotional aspects of learning. Students are engouraged to develop their abiltiy to co-operate and work together, showing empathy and understanding. They learn to give and receive positive feedback and praise in order to develop their confidence and self-esteem	05/07/2010
Spanish	In Year 7 students learn basic conversational language. They can introduce themselves and give some basic background information about their families, activities and school life. They are familiar with basic grammar, including the present tense. Students should achieve at least a national curriculum level 2 and many could reach level 4 in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills	09/06/2010