Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview 2017

English

In English, your child will be studying a range of themes in order to address all the skills that they

need to be successful by the time they reach their GCSEs in year 11. The themes have been chosen

to ensure that your child in engaged in their English learning, as well as being given the opportunities

to explore and question ideas.

Throughout key stage 3, your child will study a range of texts: both fiction and non-fiction, as well as

explore poetry, creative writing and presentation skills. Some of the themes will appear both in year

7 and in year 8 but this is because we want your child to understand and see the cross over and the

development of skills as they progress through the academy.

The themes are:

Year 7 Year 8

Super heroes Novel Study

Novel Study Gothic

The Bard (Shakespeare) The Bard (Shakespeare)

Poetry Creative Writing

Non Fiction Exam Non Fiction Exam Prep

Writing Skills Media

Whilst studying each of these themes, your child will be developing their skills in relation to the

AOs (assessment objectives) they will be assessed against at the end of year 11. In doing this, we

are hoping that your child will be an expert by the time they reach their GCSEs.

Literature (Reading):

AO1: Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to:

maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response

use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate

interpretations

AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and

effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.

AO3: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they

were written

AO4: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with

accurate spelling and punctuation.

Language (Writing & Speaking)

AO1: identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas

Select and synthesise evidence from different texts

AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve

effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views

AO3: Compare writers ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across

two or more texts

AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references

AO5: communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style

and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas,

using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts

AO6: Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose

and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. (This requirement must constitute 20%

of the marks for each specification as a whole.)

AO7: Demonstrate presentation skills in a formal setting

AO8: Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including to questions and

feedback on presentations

AO9: Use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches and presentations.

Moving into KS4

Your child will be studying the new reform GCSE which has its first examinations in 2017. These

examinations for English Language and Literature are 100% exam. They will assess the AOs your child

will have focused on for the whole of their time at The Stockwood Park Academy, so they should

become more proficient in them by the time they reach key stage 4.

Your child will have to study 19th Century Literature, Shakespeare and Modern Prose. In addition,

they will explore poetry and non-fiction texts, as well as composition.

We hope that by the time they reach key stage 4 they will have taken the opportunities they have

within their English lessons to become avid English learners with an enjoyment of language and

literature.

Maths

In year 7 and 8 students study Mathematics for 4 hours per week. The course is split into 4 learning

themes: Number, Algebra, Shape & Data. Each of these learning themes is studied in both year 7 & 8

and the proportion of time spent on each theme is dependent on the band in which students are

taught.

Maths at the Stockwood Park academy is taught through the Mathematics Mastery Programme,

where there is a greater emphasis on a hands on approach to solving problems, through the use of

bead strings, Dienes blocks, Fraction counters, Cuisenaire rods, 100 grids, number lines and multilink

cubes.

The key principles of the programme are

Students study fewer topics in greater depth

Mastery for all students

Number sense and place value come first

Problem solving is central.

Below is an overview of the Mastery Curriculum the year 7s will be following this year:

All classes in Maths are set by ability and the work set at the appropriate level. The schemes of

learning in Maths are such that all learning outcomes are available if the students are sufficiently

able to access them. Where there is there is a learning outcome that is currently deemed too

challenging for the students they will spend more time covering the other learning outcomes but will

have a chance to revisit all learning outcomes in Key Stage 4. Each class will start at its own point on

the learning outcomes dependent on the ability of the class, in this way students avoid repetition of

all the topics covered at Key Stage 2. Where a topic is a fundamental skill for Key Stage 3 then the

work covered at Key Stage 2 will be revisited.

Learning Themes in Year 8

The change in syllabus is now encouraging students to show more knowledge of the subject by

examining them on more topics. The schemes of learning are such that there is a seamless transition

from Key Stage 3 to 4 in Mathematics as from the start of year 7 they are on a 5 year learning plan

with the ultimate expectation of achieving their full potential by the end of year 11.

Science

The science department is dedicated to providing challenging lessons where students can learn in a

safe and positive environment. Our aim is to produce confident young scientists who have an

enquiring mind and a good work ethic.

KS3

The key stage three curriculum covers the three main science areas of biology, chemistry and physics

with an emphasis on working scientifically and developing scientific numeracy skills. The KS3

curriculum has recently been redesigned to make investigative and problem solving the corner stone

of each lesson. This will ensure that our students are able to make the smooth transition into KS4.

The topics we cover over the two years are:

Biology: cells, reproduction and genetics.

Chemistry: principles of the periodic table, atoms and elements and making a link between science

in industry and the science we study in the classroom.

Physics: Motion, forces, energy, electricity and space.

Assessments take the form of both written tests and practical assessments to ensure we have

students are able to make the transition confidently into KS4.

KS4

Students follow one of two learning routes:

The majority of students will complete the Edexcel combined science course, which is a double

award and counts as two GCSEs.

Our most able students will continue to take the three sciences as separate GCSE subjects.

All the courses are linear with all the exams being completed at the end of Year 11.

Whichever learning route they follow, the curriculum covers all areas of Biology, Chemistry and

Physics studied in Key Stage 3, but at a higher level. In addition single science students will be

introduced to some new topics such as plant hormones, blood group genetics, tests for ions and

carboxylic acids and the astronomy.

Extra-curricular

We offer a range of enrichment activities and trips to add value to the science curriculum, including

the Big Bang Fair, a day in a forensics lab, and the use of STEM ambassadors to add real life

experience to the curriculum.

There is a weekly science club Rocket Club open to all students. This is an opportunity to challenge

the thinking of the teachers and carry out a number of STEM challenges.

In addition we hold a weekly science drop in session for KS4 students who feel they need some extra

support or clarification on the topics covered in lesson.

Humanities

Subject: History

Without History we would not be where we are today, therefore at The Stockwood Park Academy we feel it is

important to educate students about significant events in both British and international history. Students are

encouraged to become historical detectives by investigating history through the use of evidence and other

source material available.

Subject Learning Themes Overview (bullet point per learning theme)

1. Change & Continuity

2. Cause & Consequences

3. Significance

4. Source Skills

5. Interpretation

6. Written Communication

Year 7 Topics Year 8 Topics

The Normans Industrial Revolution & Jack the Ripper

The Middle Ages Terrorism

The Tudors Slavery

The S