Curriculum

Maths Curriculum

Year 7

• Mental and written methods of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, including decimals and standard form.
• Rounding to nearest value, decimal places and significant figures.
• Fractions including algebraic fractions.
• Statistical measures of mean, median, mode and range.
• Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Prime numbers, multiples and factors.
• Negative numbers.
• Indices.
• Ratio and proportion including algebraic notation.
• Sequences and nth term.
• Expanding brackets and factorising.
• Simplifying algebraic expressions.
• Forming and solving algebraic equations.
• Area, perimeter, surface area and volume.

Year 8

• Statistical measures including grouped data and cumulative frequency.
• Four operations with fractions and algebraic fractions.
• Rounding, area of plane shapes and composites.
• Percentage multipliers, ratio and proportion.
• Factors, multiples and primes.
• Surds.
• Volume and surface area of prisms.
• Angle facts in polygons and parallel lines.
• Trigonometry.
• Solving equations.
• Equation of a straight line.
• Probability of single and combined events.
• Sequences and nth term. Quadratic and geometric sequences.
• Compound measures, distance/time graphs, speed/time graphs.

Year 9 Foundation

• Angles in polygons and parallel lines.
• Bearings and scale drawings.
• Negative numbers and order of operations (bidmas).
• Multiples, factors and primes.
• Expanding brackets and factorising.
• Fractions and decimals.
• Equation of a straight line graph.
• Fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Bar charts, pictograms and pie charts.
• Rounding including decimal places and significant figures.
• Faces, edges and vertices of solids.
• Area, perimeter and volume.
• Sequences and nth term including quadratics.
• Ratio and proportion.
• Probability of single and combined events.
• Frequency trees and tree diagrams.
• Transformations.
• Algebraic substitution.
• Forming and solving equations.
• Statistical measures including grouped data.
• Scatter graphs.
• Pythagoras' theorem.
• Plans and elevations.
• Compass constructions and Loci.

Year 9 Higher Pupils Study All Of The Above AND

• Factorising difficult quadratic equations.
• Solving quadratic equations by factorising.
• Finding equations of straight lines given coordinates.
• Finding the equation of a perpendicular line.
• Error intervals, upper and lower bounds.
• Finding the arc-length and area of sectors.
• Surface area of a cone, sphere and hemisphere.
• Solving complex ratio problems.
• Dependent probabilities.
• Enlargement with fractional and negative scale factors.
• Cumulative frequency, boxplots and histograms.
• Applications of statistics.
• Trigonometry.
• Similar solids.

Year 10 Foundation

• Four operations of number and order of operations.
• Angle properties including parallel lines, exterior and interior angles.
• Area of trapeziums, circles and composite shapes.
• Algebraic substitution, simplifying algebraic expressions, expanding brackets and factorising including quadratics.
• Forming and solving equations.
• Solving inequalities, writing integer solutions and showing these on a number line.
• Four operations with fractions.
• Statistical measures, mean, median, mode and range.
• Percentage increase and decrease.
• Fractions, decimal and percentages.
• Transformations.
• Symmetry.
• Distance time graphs and conversion graphs.
• Volume of cuboids and prisms, surface area.
• Pythagoras' theorem.
• Graphs of linear equations.
• Multiples, factors and primes.
• Compound measures.
• Constructing triangles, compass constructions and loci.
• Ratio and proportion.
• Probability of single and combined events.
• Pie charts and scatter graphs.
• Investigations and problem solving.

Year 10 Higher

• Pythagoras and trigonometry in 2D and 3D.
• Substitution and rearranging formulae.
• Forming and solving equations.
• Angles in polygons and parallel lines including interior and exterior angles.
• Bearings and scale drawings.
• Surds.
• Simplifying algebraic expressions.
• Expanding brackets and factoring.
• Four operations with algebraic fractions.
• Complex ratio problems.
• Direct and indirect proportion.
• Percentage increase and decrease, reverse percentages.
• Sequences and nth term including quadratics.
• Pie Charts.
• Time series graphs.
• Histograms.
• Cumulative frequency and boxplots, comparing data sets.
• Probability of combined events.
• Venn diagrams.
• Area and surface area of plane shapes and sectors.
• Volume and surface area of prisms, cones, spheres and hemispheres.
• Length, area and volume scale factors.
• Indices.
• Standard form.
• Equation of a straight line and perpendicular line.
• Using graphs to solve equations.
• Solving linear and simultaneous equations.
• Iteration.
• Sketching graphs.
• Solving inequalities, finding integer solutions and showing these on a number line.
• Circle theorems and proofs.
• Similar solids.
• Congruency.
• Compass constructions and loci.
• Transformations.

Year 11 Foundation

• Review work on algebra and extend to solving quadratic equations by factorsing.
• Review sequences and nth term including quadratic sequences.
• Constructing triangles and the rules for congruency.
• Similar triangles.
• Trigonometry.
• Review straight line graphs and extend to finding the equation of a line.
• Using graphs to solve equations.
• Solving simultaneous equations.
• Drawing and recognising quadratic, cubic and reciprocal graphs.
• Standard form.
• Bounds of measurement.
• Rules of indices.

Year 11 Higher

• Indices including fractions, negatives and changing form of the base number.
• Four operations with algebraic fractions.
• Expanding and factorising the difference of two squares.
• Rearranging complex formulae.
• Composite and inverse functions.
• Equation of a straight line.
• Solving quadratic equations.
• Solving simultaneous equations.
• Drawing and using cubic, reciprocal and exponential graphs.
• Drawing and using graphs of trigonometric functions.
• Equation of a circle and a tangent to a circle.
• Sketching transformations of functions.
• Upper and lower bounds.
• Review Pythagoras and trigonometry in 3D.
• Sine rule and Cosine rule and area of a triangle (0.5ab sin c).
• Vectors.
• Four operations with algebraic fractions.
• Simplify algebraic fractions by factorising and cancelling.
• Algebraic and geometric proof.
• Area and gradient of speed-time and distance-time graphs.
• Finding turning points on quadratic graphs.
• Invariance in transformations.
• Product rule for counting.
• Similar triangles.
• Equating coefficients in identities.
• Geometric progressions.

English Curriculum

Year 7

Heroes and Villains (including creative reading and writing, the study of a modern novel based around this theme and the study of Greek myths) Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non-Fiction) Poetry Introduction to Shakespeare.

Year 8

Writing about War (including the study of a modern novel based around this theme) Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non-Fiction) Victorian Literature (with a focus on the genre of Gothic fiction) Poetry Short Stories.

Year 9

Creative Reading and Writing Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non-Fiction) Macbeth - the Supernatural Family Poetry Modern novels: Of Mice and Men or Lord of the Flies.

Year 10

Creative Reading and Writing Macbeth - the tragic hero Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non-Fiction) The Sign of Four.

Year 11

Modern Drama: An Inspector Calls or DNA Love and Relationships Poetry Unseen Poetry The Sign of Four - Revision Macbeth themes - Revision Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non-Fiction) - Revision Creative Reading and Writing - Revision.

Science Curriculum

Year 7

• Cells and Movement - Plant and animal cells, specialised cells, the muscular and skeletal systems and the organisation of living things.
• Human Reproduction and Variation - The male and female reproductive systems, sex cells and their functions, sexual intercourse, gestation, birth, menstruation and variety in characteristics.
• Interdependence and Plant Reproduction - Habitats, how different species depend upon each other, food chains and webs, plant reproductive systems.
• Particle Theory and Separating Mixtures - Solids, liquids and gases, changes of state, diffusion, air pressure, Brownian motion, distillation, filtration, evaporation, chromatography.
• Acids and Alkalis and Metals and Non-Metals - Everyday acids and alkalis, hazards, the pH scale, neutralisation, metal salts, properties of metals and non-metals.
• The Earth and The Universe - The structure of the Earth, resources from the Earth, climate change, the Earth in space, seasons, planets, day and night, constellations, geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system.
• Speed and Gravity - Calculating speed, distance-time graphs, speed-time graphs, gravity and weight.
• Sound and Light - The mechanism by which sound travels, speed of sound and light, refraction, reflection and dispersion.
• Voltage and Resistance and Current - Building simple circuits, measuring voltage and current, series and parallel circuits, calculating resistance and models of circuits.
• Energy Costs and Energy Transfers - Electricity bills, types of energy, energy stores, energy transfers and alternative methods of generating electricity.

Year 8

• Breathing and Digestion - The respiratory system, the mechanics of breathing, the digestive system, nutrition and food tests.
• Inheritance and Evolution - Inherited characteristics and diseases, DNA, extraction of DNA, the process of evolution, evidence for evolution.
• Respiration and Photosynthesis - The equation for respiration, the products of respiration, exercise, the equation for photosynthesis, products of photosynthesis, factors affecting photosynthesis.
• The Periodic Table and Elements - The structure and organisation of the periodic table, groups of the periodic table, metals and non-metals, patterns of reactivity, elements and compounds.
• Chemical Energy and Types of Reaction - Fuels and combustion, chemical and physical changes, observing reactions and recording observations, the fire triangle, exothermic and endothermic reactions.
• Climate and Products from the Earth - Pollution, composition of the atmosphere, alternative methods of metal extraction, products from the land, sea and air, rocks and the rock cycle.
• Contact Forces and Pressure - Friction, balanced and unbalanced forces, moments, levers, force diagrams, pressure calculations.
• Wave Effects and Wave Properties - Types of wave - longitudinal and transverse, wave properties and characteristics, electromagnetic waves.
• Electromagnets and magnetism - Magnetic materials, permanent and induced magnets, making an electromagnet, factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.
• Work done and heating and cooling - Calculating work done, calculating energy transfers, convection, conduction and radiation.

Year 9

• Cells - Plant, animal, bacterial and yeast cells, specialisation and differentiation of cells, microscopy, chromosomes, mitosis and the cell cycle, stem cells.
• Disease - Communicable and non-communicable diseases, viral, bacterial, fungal and protest disease, human defence systems, vaccination, antibiotics and painkillers and the discovery and development of drugs.
• Ecology Part 1 - Adaptions, independence and competition, abiotic factors, biotic factors, organisation in an ecosystem.
• Atomic Structure and Periodic Table - The development of the periodic table, the modern periodic table, the atom, the history of the structure of the atom, electronic structure, alkali metals, halogens, noble gases.
• Chemical changes - The reactivity series of metals, reactions of acids, metal salts, neutralisation reactions, the pH scale, strong and weak acids.
• Radioactivity - The development of atomic theory, types of radiation, radioactive decay, decay equations, half-life, radioactive hazards and contamination, irradiation.
• Energy - Energy transfers, energy stores, conservation of energy, potential and kinetic energy, power, work done, alternative sources of energy.

Year 10

• Transport of substances - Diffusion, osmosis, active transport, organisation.
• Digestive system - The structure and function of the human digestive system, enzymes, food tests.
• Plants - Plant tissues and organs, plant organ systems, photosynthesis, uses of glucose from photosynthesis, factors affecting photosynthesis.
• Ecology part 2 - Sampling techniques, the carbon cycle, biodiversity, waste management, land use, deforestation, global warming.
• Respiratory and Circulatory Systems - The heart and blood vessels, coronary heart disease, lifestyle factors affecting health issues, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, response to exercise and metabolism.
• Structure and Bonding - Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding, giant ionic, covalent and metallic lattices - including diamond, graphite and sodium chloride. Fullerenes and graphene.
• Electrolysis - Products of molten and aqueous electrolysis, extraction of aluminium, electrolysis of sodium chloride solution, half-equations and reactions at the electrodes.
• Chemical calculations - Relative atomic and formula masses, percentage mass, chemical measurements, mole calculations, recipe calculations, percentage yield, atom economy, balancing equations.
• Energy Changes - Exothermic and endothermic reactions, reaction profiles, bond energies.
• The Earth's atmosphere - The composition of the Earth's atmosphere, carbon cycle, the Earth's early atmosphere, greenhouse gases, global climate change, human activities and their effect on the atmosphere, carbon footprint, and atmospheric pollutants.
• Particles - Density of materials, changes of state, internal energy, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, gas pressure.
• Forces - Contact and non-contact forces, balanced and unbalanced forces, velocity and speed calculations, speed-time graphs, distance-time graphs, acceleration, Newton's Laws, Stopping distance, reaction time, momentum.
• Electricity - Circuit symbols, electrical charge and current, resistance and potential difference, resistors, Ohm's Law. Series and parallel circuits, direct and alternating potential difference, mains electricity, power and energy transfers in everyday appliances, The National Grid.

Year 11

• Homeostasis - Control of blood glucose, body temperature and water levels in humans, the human nervous system, the human endocrine system, hormones in human reproduction and contraception, the use of hormones to treat infertility, negative feedback and the roles of thyroxine and adrenaline.
• Genetics - Sexual and asexual reproduction, meiosis, DNA and the genome, genetic inheritance, inherited disorders, sex determination, selective breeding, genetic engineering.
• Evolution - The theory of evolution by natural selection, speciation, fossils, extinction, resistant bacteria, Linnaean classification.
• Variation - Genetic variation, mutations, environmental causes of variation.
• Rates - Calculating rates of reaction, factors affecting rates of reaction, catalysts, activation energy, collision theory, reversible reactions, equilibrium, Le Chatelier's Principle.
• Chemical Analysis - Formulations and pure and impure substances, testing for gases, chromatography.
• Organic Chemistry - Alkanes, fractional distillation, alkenes, cracking, combustion of hydrocarbons.
• Magnetism - Poles of a magnet, magnetic fields, electromagnetism, the motor effect, Fleming's left-hand rule and electric motors.

Geography Curriculum

Year 7

• Welcome to the World
• Map Skills
• Connectedness
• Extreme Environments

Year 8

• Water and Flooding
• The BRICs
• Climate Change
• Environmental Concerns

Year 9

• Japan
• Hazards

GCSE

Starting in the Easter term of Year 9, the Geography Department delivers the Eduqas (formerly WJEC) Specification B GCSE qualification. This is made up of three components, each of which are examined.

Component 1 is split into three cross-disciplinary themes:

• Theme 1: Changing places - changing economies
• Rural-Urban processes and change in the UK
• Urbanisation in global cities
• Development
• Theme 2: Changing environments
• Rivers
• Coasts
• Weather and climate
• Climate change
• Theme 3: Environmental challenges
• Ecosystems
• Human impact on ecosystems
• Desertification
• Water resources and management

Component 2 is problem solving geography, which is a cross-theme paper.

Component 3 is the fieldwork enquiry on which pupils are examined on their experiences of fieldwork, several of which are conducted off-site during the course.

Languages Curriculum

Year 7

• Module 1: 'Le monde et moi' (Me and the world)
• Module 2: 'Mon monde perso' (My world)
• Module 3: 'Autour de moi' (All around me)

Year 8

• Module 1: 'À table' (At the table)
• Module 2: 'Mon quartier' (My area)
• Module 3: 'Destination vacances' (Holidays)

Year 9

• Module 1: 'Le monde des médias' (The world of media)
• Module 2: 'Accro à la technologie?'' (Addicted to technology?)
• Module 3: 'Un métier, un rêve' (A job, a dream)

Years 10 & 11

• Theme 1: Identity and culture
• Unit 1: Me, my family and friends
• Unit 2: Technology in everyday life
• Unit 3: Free time activities
• Unit 4: Customs and festivals
• Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
• Unit 5: Home, town, neighbourhood and region
• Unit 6: Social issues
• Unit 7: Global issues
• Unit 8: Travel and tourism
• Theme 3: Current and future study and employment
• Unit 9: My studies
• Unit 10: Life at school and college
• Unit 11: Education post-16
• Unit 12: Jobs, career choices and ambition

ICT Curriculum

Year 7

• Introduction to the school network - Pupils will learn about how to use school emails, FireFly, Office 365.
• E-safety - Pupils will learn about how to stay safe on-line. Pupils will create an App on Appshed for year 6 pupils to inform them of the issues related with the internet.
• Using spreadsheets basic - Pupils learn key words related to spreadsheets (Excel) and create a simple spreadsheet model that they are able to manipulate.
• User Interfaces - Pupils learn about the different types of user interfaces and create a simple user interface.
• Programming - Pupils create a game using Kodu.

Year 8

• Website - Pupils learn about the design features of a website and create a simple website. They also use HTML to create a website so they are able to compare Wizard software with plain text.
• Laws of ICT - Pupils learn about the laws that are related to ICT e.g. The Date Protection Act, Copyright and Design patents Act and the Computer Misuse Act.
• Cloud Computing - Pupils understand the importance of cloud storage and cloud software.
• Programming - Pupils use Game Maker to create a game.

Year 9

• Advance Spreadsheets - Pupils will create a spreadsheet model and use IF function, conditional formatting and pivot tables.
• Cyber Security - Pupils will look at the different types of cyber-attacks and the impacts it has on businesses/organisations.
• Project Planning Tools - Pupils will use project planning tools to create a mini project.
• Interfaces - Pupils will look at different user interfaces and understand how to evaluate them by looking at design principles.

Years 10 & 11

• Component 1 - This is an internal assessment that contains 3 learning aims. For each learning aim pupils will need to complete an assignment.
• Learning Aim A - Investigate user interface design for individuals and organisations.
• Learning Aim B - Use project planning techniques to plan and design a user interface.
• Learning Aim C - Develop and review a user interface.
• Component 2 - This is an internal assessment that contains 3 learning aims. For each learning aim pupils will need to complete an assignment.
• Learning Aim A - Investigate the role and impact of using data on individuals and organisations.
• Learning Aim B - Create a dashboard using data manipulation tools.
• Learning Aim C - Draw conclusions and review data presentation methods.
• Component 3 - This is an external examination that is worth 40% of pupils final marks. There are four learning aims that pupils will cover, they are:
• Learning Aim A - Modern Technologies.
• Learning Aim B - Cyber Security.
• Learning Aim C - Implications of the digital system.
• Learning Aim D - Planning and communication.

Creative Media Curriculum

Years 10 & 11

Component 1 - Exploring Media Products:

This is an internal assessment which consist of 2 learning aims. Pupils will complete 2 assignments in this component. Pupils will develop their understanding on how media products create meaning for their audience.

• Learning Aim A - Investigate media products.
• Learning Aim B - Explore how media products are created to provide meaning and engage audiences.

Component 2 - Developing Digital Media Production Skills:

This is an internal assessment which consist of 3 learning aims. Pupils will complete 3 assignments in this component. Pupils will develop their skills and techniques by reworking a media product.

• Learning Aim A - Develop media production skills and techniques.
• Learning Aim B - Apply media production skills and techniques.
• Learning Aim C - Review own progress and development of skills and practise.

Component 3 - Create a media production in Response to a brief:

This is an external assessment that is worth 40% of the final mark. Component 3 builds directly on from component 1 and 2 and enable pupils to put together everything that they have learnt into a real-life situation. In this unit there are 4 assessment objectives.

• AO1 - Understand how to develop ideas in response to a brief.
• AO2 - Develop planning materials in response to a brief.
• AO3 - Apply media production skills and techniques to the creation of a media product.
• AO4 - Create and refine a media product to meet the requirements of a brief.

Drama Curriculum

Year 7

• Base-line assessment
• Getting started on stage
• Scripts
• Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
• Status and Improvisation
• Darkwood Manor
• Silent movies

Year 8

• Scripts
• Our Day out
• Pantomime
• Greek Theatre
• Shakespeare
• Matilda
• Devising

Year 9

• Scripts
• Teechers
• Theatre Practitioners
• Physical Theatre
• Soaps
• Devising
• Live Theatre review

Year 10

• Introduction to Drama
• Monologue assessment
• Theatre reviewing
• Introduction to Blood Brothers
• The roles in Theatre
• Devising skills
• Devising exam
• Preparation for Written Exam (Mock)

Year 11

• Introduction to DNA script
• Theatre reviewing
• Blood Brothers (Mock Exam)
• DNA preparation
• DNA performance
• Blood brothers and theatre reviewing
• FINAL Written examination

Music Curriculum

Year 7

• Keyboard Skills (basic notation and introduction to playing the keyboard).
• Christmas Rehearsal Room (singing).
• Ukulele and Guitar (learning to play chords).
• Get That Tune (composition).
• Sequencing (GarageBand).
• World Tour (using a range of instruments to explore the music of different countries/cultures).

Year 8

• Keyboard Skills 2 (expansion on Y7 work).
• Written Composition (using notation skills from Keyboard topic to create a melody).
• Guitar Riffs (developing skills from Y7 topic, introducing reading TAB).
• Band Project (Performing a song on different instruments as a group).
• Film Music (GarageBand).
• The Blues (introducing improvisation and the 12 bar blues).

Year 9

• Song writing (creating all elements of a song using GarageBand).
• Advert Music (composition).
• Indian Music (exploring the different elements of Indian Classical Music).
• The Robots (Electric Dance Music).
• The Music Industry (research project looking at job roles and expectations within the music industry).
• My Own Instrument (students choose an instrument to focus on and develop a performance for).

Year 10 - BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice

• Component 1 - Exploring Music Products and Styles.
• Component 2 - Music Skills Development.
• Component 3 - Responding to a Commercial Music Brief.

Year 11 - BTEC First Award in Music

• Unit 1 - The Music Industry (compulsory).
• Unit 2 - Managing a Music Product (compulsory).
• Unit 3 - Introducing Live Sound.
• Unit 4 - Introducing Music Composition.
• Unit 5 - Introducing Music Performance.
• Unit 6 - Introducing Music Recording.
• Unit 7 - Introducing Music Sequencing.

PE Curriculum

In years 7, 8 and 9 pupils study a selection of activities from the following lists:

In Years 10 and 11 pupils study activities based on option choices. They are usually from the activities listed above.

History Curriculum

Year 7

• The Roman Empire - The origins, growth and key aspects of life within.
• Medieval England - The Norman Conquest and key aspects of life within Medieval England.
• The Arab Empire - Its origins, growth and key aspects of life within.
• Medieval Castles and Cathedrals - Key features of each with a focus on Lincoln Castle and Cathedral.

Year 8

• The Tudors and Stuarts - A study of several key monarchs and key events from within the period.
• England to Empire - The formation of the UK and the development of the British Empire.
• Slavery - British involvement in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and key aspects of the lives of those enslaved.
• Fight for the Right - The abolition of slavery, modern day slavery and women's voting rights.

Year 9

• Industrial Britain - The key changes that took place in Britain across the Industrial Period.
• World War One - Causes and key events of World War One.
• World War Two - Causes and key events of World War Two.

GCSE

• Starting in the Easter term of Year 9, the History Department delivers the AQA GCSE qualification. This is made up of four sections, each of which are examined.
• American Expansionism 1840-1895.
• Conflict and Tension: the First World War, 1894-1918.
• Norman England c.1066-1100.
• Health and the People c.1000 to the present day.

Religious Studies Curriculum

Year 7

• Rites of Passage
• Jesus
• Judaism

Year 8

• Buddism
• Inspiring Others
• Islam and does religion do any good?

Year 9

• Existence of God
• Christian Beliefs *
• Marriage and the family *

Year 10

• Jewis Beliefs
• Crime and Punishment
• Living the Jewish Life
• Peace and Conflict

Year 11

• Living the Christian Life
• Matters of life and Death

* All pupils begin the GCSE course of study in Year 9.

Art Curriculum

Year 7

• Fancy Footwear - Sarah Beetson/Jared Nickerson
• Drawing/Visual Elements - Klimt Leaves
• Colour Theory Painting - Klee/Sonia Delauney
• Tree of Life
• Aboriginal Art
• Classical Art
• Medieval Art - Illuminated Lettering

Year 8

• Oriental Art
• Indian Eastern Art
• Renaissance Art Caricatures
• Hands in Art - Durer/Fatima/Hamsa
• Rococco - Shells/name plaques
• Landscapes - Towers/Constable/Turner/ Hockney/Impressioninst

Year 9

• African (Picasso)
• Op Art/Pop Art - Bridget Riley / Andy Warhol / Lichtenstein
• Skulls in Art - Mexican Day of the Dead / Ed Hardy
• Street Art - Current established street artists
• Animals in Art

Year 10

• Autumn Still life - Boots/Flower or Skull/Flower.
• Landscapes - Architectural Details / Natural Elements / Holiday Views & Vistas.
• Summer Portrait - Self, Family, Friends, Pets etc.

Year 11

• GCSE Fine Art Mock Examination - One choice from selection of titles:
• Distortion
• Contrast
• Birds
• Flowers
• Doorways
• GCSE OCR Externally Set Task

D&T & Food Prep Curriculum

Within the Design & Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition curriculum pupils experience a wide range of skills (including life skills) and gain background knowledge in preparation for their education, training and working life.

Pupils in Year 7 - 9 rotate in approximately 12 weeks blocks through the subject areas of Resistant Materials and Electronics, Graphics and Computer Aided Design [CAD] and Food and Textiles; changing classroom and teachers depending upon the module being taught.

Year 7

Resistant Materials and Electronics:

Pupils are taught basic timber and polymer knowledge through the completion of an acrylic key ring and a night light project. They learn traditional plastic working skills by hand in the manufacture of a key ring in their own design. They are also introduced to a basic LED circuit, by drilling and soldering their own. Computer Aided Design [CAD] and Computer Aided Manufacture [CAM] is covered as pupils design and manufacture the top of their night light on the laser cutter. Health and Safety in the workshop is covered at the start of the module.

Food Preperation and Nutrition:

Through a combination of practical and theory lessons, pupils learn about safe and hygienic food preparation. They will learn to safely use a range of food room equipment as well as the various parts of the cooker. Pupils will develop their knowledge of what a balanced diet is and begin to understand the functions of nutrients in our bodies. Drawing on pupil's literacy and numeracy skills they learn the importance of accurate weighing and measuring as well as converting measurements and understanding common abbreviations used in Food Preparation & Nutrition. They will learn the skills of safe chopping and preparing of fruits and vegetables as well as the rubbing in method, and simmering and boiling through their practical lessons.

Textiles:

In Year 7 textiles pupils learn about what fibres are and how they are classified into natural and synthetic. They learn that fibres are turned into yarns and fabrics by either knitting or weaving before becoming the products we use. They begin to develop an awareness of the sustainability of textiles and how we can reduce, recycle and reuse textiles. Pupils will work with knitted fabrics whilst learning how to safely use textiles equipment to include the sewing machine and irons as well as a range of decorative techniques.

Graphics and Computer Aided Design (CAD):

Pupils are taught a range of graphical techniques including a range of 3D drawing skills including; isometric, one point perspective and three tone render. Pupils learn about structures, how they are categorised and the forces which act upon them. They will complete a unit on CAD using 2D Design software where they will develop new skills and an understanding of computers in design. They will complete a mini project using their graphics skills learnt and will be introduced to Smart materials by using a thermochromic material in their mini project.

Year 8

Resistant Materials, Mechanisms and Electronics:

Pupils build upon their Year 7 knowledge by learning about timber in more detail. They also learn about motions and mechanisms, which is closely linked with their practical project - a moving toy. This is manufactured again using a vast range of hand skills, with material finishes being introduced through the process of adding wood stain. The electronics project incorporates vacuum forming and soldering for pupils to create a cased moisture sensor. Theory behind this project includes the stages of vacuum forming as well as identifying and understanding the electronic components.

Food Preperation and Nutrition:

Building on their experience in year 7, pupils will further their knowledge of what a balanced diet is. They will learn about the 'Eat Well' guide and have a greater understanding of how and why to reduce fat and sugar in our diets and increase the amount of fibre we eat. They will understand about safe and hygienic food preparation with a specific focus on cross contamination. They will build on their skills of melting, binding and rubbing in as well as coating through various practical dishes.

Textiles:

During year 8 pupils will further develop their understanding of fabrics by looking at woven materials. They will broaden their knowledge of both decorative techniques and sustainability, with a specific focus on cotton usage. They will investigate existing products, giving thought to how and why they have been designed to meet the needs of the user. Pupils have the opportunity to try an advanced selection of decorative techniques whilst further developing their sewing machine skills in woven materials based project.

Graphics, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Control:

Building techniques from year 7, pupils further develop their graphic skills of isometric and rendering with the introduction of new techniques such as two point perspective. They carry out a research project looking at work of others and generate a graphical information poster based on their findings. Pupils will learn to use the Solidworks CAD software to draw 3d objects which will then be printed on the 3D printer. Pupils will also gain an understanding of computer control, where they will program a microchip with 'Inputs' and 'Output' to control a model of a lift.

Year 9

Resistant Materials and Electronics:

Pupils further build upon their knowledge of materials and CAD/CAM by design and manufacturing a speaker that can be linked to a smart phone or MP3 player through an auxiliary cable. The electronic kit is soldered and located inside a timber frame box built by the pupils to a high standard, with the front being designed and cut out on the laser cutter. Pupils also look at designing a product for a client, in readiness for GCSE.

Food Preperation and Nutrition:

In Year 9 pupils will learn about what staple foods are and about common variations from other countries and cultures are. They will develop an understanding of the functional properties of ingredients in food. They will learn how to adapt recipes to meet the needs of different target groups such as vegetarians and diabetics. They will develop their understanding of how and why food is packaged and the use of pre-manufactured components within food production. They will build on their practical skills base with kneading and dough formation, binding and coating, batch production and a mince-based dish. A key focus of year 9 Food is to develop life skills for those who do not continue with the subject into years 10 and 11.

Textiles:

In year 9 pupils learn about how plastic can be recycled into fleece material. They learn about how to care for textiles, the importance of care labels and how to read them. Pupils also learn about finishes that can be applied to textiles to enhance or improve their characteristics. Pupils continue to develop their practical skills of surface decoration, and use of the sewing machine and introducing pattern making.

Graphics and Computer Aided Design and Manifacture (CAD CAM):

In year 9 pupils develop a greater level of skill in CAD with by using 2D Design to create a range of products which they will cut out on the laser cutter. Pupils carry out a research product looking into the history of a given company, they will use this research to inspire their designs for a key ring. Pupils increase their graphic skills with a range of techniques used including; isometric, one and two point perspective, freehand sketching, orthographic and three tone rendering.

GCSE Design & Technology

Year 10:

Pupils studying GCSE Design and Technology work through a core booklet in Year 10 that covers all the knowledge that they need to know and understand on the core stand of the Specification. This includes knowledge on electronic systems, metals, paper and boards, timbers, polymers and textiles. They then study a specialist material booklet based on their chosen area of expertise; Electronics, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles. Alongside these booklets, pupils have the opportunity to work through a range of mini projects as well as mini making tasks that allow them to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of the subject area.

Year 11:

The primarily task for pupils during Year 11 is the completion of their Non-Exam Assessment, which is worth 50% of their GCSE. This is started at the end of Year 10 and combines a pupils experiences with the focus of designing a product to meet the need of a client. Pupils work through the creation of an innovative design folder that helps address an area of topic provided by the exam board - AQA. Once this work has been produced, the remaining time is spent revising their knowledge in readiness for the summer examination; worth the final 50% of a pupil's grade.

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition:

Year 10:

During year 10 pupils will develop a knowledge and understanding of the 5 keys topics; Food Nutrition & Health, Food Science, Food Safety, Food Provenance and Food Choice. They will do this through a combination of theory, practical lessons and practical investigations. Pupils will build on skills learnt in years7, 8 & 9 and learn knife skills such as; vegetable preparation like julienne, baton and dice as well as meat preparation such as joining a chicken. Pupils will develop a large repertoire of practical skills to include sauce making, and dough formation in the form of bread and pasta amongst others.

Year 11:

Pupils will use the knowledge and skills they have developed in Year 10 to answer 2 Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) tasks assigned by the examination board. The first is an Investigation task where pupils research the functional and chemical properties of ingredients and present their findings in a report. The second is a food preparation task where pupils are to plan, prepare, cook and present three dishes to meet with a target group and/or nutritional focus. In this project pupils will have the opportunity to showcase the variety of technical skills they have developed during the course in. Year 11 will culminate in a written examination to test the theory knowledge acquired throughout the course.

PSHE Curriculum

You can view the current PSHE Curriculum by clicking here.