Sandbach School Curriculum

Transition and Induction Phase (Year 7 and Year 8) 2019-2020

Curriculum

In years 7 & 8 Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum. Students will study a range of creative, practical, scientific and academic subjects. They will also develop cross –curricular skills and in Year 8 will receive careers education, information advice and guidance to prepare them for choosing their options (the subjects they will choose to study in Years 9, 10 and 11).

Students are organised into tutor groups and are taught based on ability for maths; mixed ability groupings for English, D&T, PE and for all other subjects are taught with their forms.

Maths sets   are based on attainment and are informed by National Curriculum tests and our own internal assessments. These arrangements may change as each student progresses through the Key Stage.

The curriculum structure for each year group in Key Stage 3 is as follows:

Transition and Induction Phase (Year 7 and Year 8) 2019-2020

In years 7 & 8 Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum. English and Maths is taught in ability groups whilst all other subjects are mixed ability groupings.

Subject

Hours per 10 day cycle

Year 7

Year 8

English

8

8

Maths

8

6

Science

6

6

MFL

4

4

Geography

4

4

History

4

4

Religious Studies

2

2

Technology

2

4

Art

4

2

Performing Arts

2

2

Music

2

2

IT

0

2

Physical Education

4

4

See each department page for details of the curriculum taught in the T&I phase.

Assessment

The assessment model in place in KS3 has been developed to regularly inform teachers, students and parents of the progress and attainment made by individuals during the academic year.

Students in Year 7&8 have 3 review periods per year in order to assess the progress being made in each subject.

Assessment tasks are cumulative, including earlier work covered within the scope of the assessment, aiming to build and reinforce key knowledge.

Prior attainment at KS2 informs the expectations of the teacher for individual students in English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and Religious studies and this is communicated through RAG rating performance in student reviews which are sent to parents/carers following each review period.

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer based system that tests the students on arrival at Sandbach School to gauge their current reading level.  Reading material appropriate to their reading level is then chosen by the students to read during AM registrations two mornings per week across Y7 and Y8.  On completion of a book, the students quiz themselves and can then either remain at the current level or move up to the one above.  The formal testing is completed at other periods across Y7 and Y8 to measure progress and put in support where necessary.  The boys can also gain prizes and rewards for completing the quizzes.

Student and Teacher login HERE