Year 8

Year 8 Art: 1 hour weekly. Students will develop 2D/3D skills and confidence using diverse materials, including photography and digital research. Projects and assessments will mirror GCSE criteria, focusing on research, experimentation, recording (drawing, annotation, photography), and final presentation.

Termly projects will include:

• Who am I ? Project
  A unit that explores identity and community and introduces mark-making and teaches students to respond to the work of other artists
• Hundertwasser and Printmaking
  A unit that explores the work of artists and develops skills in printmaking
• Andy Warhol and Healthy Eating
  Further explorations into printmaking and linked to work in PHSE on healthy eating
• Pop Art and 3D Construction
  An opportunity to work in groups and learn construction techniques

Year 8 Computer Science: We believe computing helps students understand the increasingly complex digital world. Our Lower School course develops key ICT, programming, digital technology, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

The Computing Department is supported by our website, offering key information about Lower and Upper School courses, including assessments, lesson objectives, and supporting resources for students.

In Year 8 Computing lessons, students are expected to demonstrate a range of core ICT and problem solving skills. These are further learnt and developed through our curriculum and enrichment opportunities. Computing skills are central to the development of other subjects such as the Sciences and Technology.

Year 8 Dance: 1 hour fortnightly. Students will learn and improve performance, choreography, and appreciation skills. They’ll learn movement phrases to enhance memory and physical abilities, work in groups to choreograph short dances performed at the end of each unit, building performance confidence and expressive skills.

Activities include:

• Baseline Assessments
• Introduction to Dance
• Dance in Musicals
• World Dance
• and Exploration of a Professional Dance work

Year 8 Drama: aims to build confident performers and teamwork skills. Through topics like slavery, Titanic, and pantomime, students develop historical research, empathy, and understanding of social issues.

Drama is used to explore topics, foster imaginative role-play, and study/perform scripts, including Shakespeare. It connects with media, dance, music, and English (especially writing in role), and aims for cross-curricular links with languages, humanities, technology, and art to develop a broad skill set valued by employers.

Activities include:

Year 8 English aims to cultivate a lifelong love of reading through a rich curriculum. Students study diverse texts (novels, poetry, drama, Shakespeare), media, and are encouraged to read widely to develop appreciation and critical skills.

We enrich learning with theatre visits, writing workshops, performances, and visiting authors. Past speakers include Tanya Byrne, Cathy Brett, Rachel Ward, Marie Louise Jensen, Carol Ann Duffy, and many more.

Termly projects will include:

• Creative Writing – Who Am I? Whole School Transition Project
• Non Fiction – Travel Writing
• Contemporary Writer Novel
• Drama – Shakespeare
• Poetry – Poetry Introduction
• Creative Writing – Descriptive based on a stimulus

Year 8 DT: Design and Technology subjects, which include Product Design, Textiles, and Food, teach you how to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems, how to be sustainable, a responsible designer and consider the impact on people and the planet, alongside how to work with a range of materials, processes and up to date technologies to prepare you for career pathways suited to the 21^st century.

Transferable skills include:

Year 8 Geography: 3 lessons per fortnight explores themes like natural hazards, global development, and fragile environments through local and global examples. You’ll develop skills in interpreting maps, graphs, photos, and ICT, alongside investigation and analysis – skills for wider success.

Our curriculum covers human, physical, and environmental Geography to inspire understanding and a love of learning about the world.

Termly projects will include:

Year 8 History: 3 lessons per fortnight explores individuals and events shaping our world, fostering analytical, inquisitive, and articulate students – skills for wider success. Our curriculum covers topics from the last millennium, including the Black Death and the History of Women’s Rights, aiming to inspire understanding and a love of learning about the world.

Termly projects will include:

• Who am I?
• Black Death
• Native Americans
• Tudors

Year 8 Maths: As a girls’ school, we address the common lack of confidence in maths among girls transitioning from primary school by providing a supportive and encouraging environment. While many students arrive with strong maths skills from various primary schools, our goal is to ensure excellent progress for all learners, regardless of their prior experience.

Termly projects will include:

Year 8 Music: aims to teach the fundamentals of composition and performance, fostering an appreciation for diverse musical cultures and contexts, helping students understand their own musical tastes. Performance develops teamwork and leadership, while composition builds independent learning, decision-making, and ICT skills in music production. Students will gain self-expression and empathy.

Year 7 has 2 music lessons per fortnight in mixed ability Tutor Groups: one performance-based and one composition-based in the music mac suite.

Activities include:

Year 8 PE: students will build on primary school skills, becoming more competent and confident in various sports and activities. They’ll learn what makes a performance effective and apply it, developing the confidence and interest to engage in exercise and understand the long-term health benefits of physical activity.

Year 8 has 2 double PE lessons per fortnight in mixed ability Tutor Groups.

Termly projects will include:

Year 8 PB: 2 lessons per fortnight equips students with spiritual, moral, social, and cultural skills for life. They will learn about major world religions and their impact on individuals, and are encouraged to question ethics and their influence on the world.

Termly projects will include:

• Who am I?
• Introduction to Philosophy and Beliefs
• Sikhism
• Environment
• Suffering

Year 8 PSHCE: students need support in making
a positive transition to secondary school and our curriculum supports them in knowing how to keep themselves safe, both online and in person. This is why the PSHCE time in Year 7 is supported by both the Drama curriculum and the first Ignite Day.

Termly Projects include:

Year 8 Science: is about investigating how the natural world works. Our Science schemes of learning for Lower School aim to engage students at every level by providing relevant and inspiring academic content and practical opportunities to plunge into scientific enquiry and explore the scientific process.

Termly projects will include:

Year 8 language students are taught in sets with regular progress monitoring and assessment. They experience diverse teaching methods to build confidence.

Beyond lessons, students can participate in: Language Ambassadors, primary school liaison (planning and teaching younger students), Latin for beginners, Enrichment Week trips to France and Spain, and lessons with Foreign Language Assistants.

Termly projects will include:

• School
• Sport, hobbies and keeping fit
• My house, home town and directions
• Plans for the weekend
• Personal details
• A typical day