In year 7 students have 25 lessons a week, these are allotted as follows:
Number of lessons per subject
Below is a general overview of the topics students are taught throughout the year in each subject.
For a more in depth outline of each subject please click on the link for the subject page.
If you would like to speak to us about any aspect of our curriculum, please get in touch.
Art
- Line – explore mark-making and texture, record observations in the style of Van Gogh and create expressive and abstract line work. Investigate the work of Kandinsky, consider organic and geometric line/shape. Create a low-relief clay tile inspired by Kandinsky.
- Tone – develop shading techniques, create tone with a range of materials and produce a 3D effect with tone. Investigate the work of the artist Jim Dine and apply styles to recording of tools and utensils.
- Colour – learn colour theory and the mixing of colours, explore hot/cold colour.
Computing
Autumn term
- Digital literacy and E-Safety
- Code.org
Spring term
- Data representation
- Photopea
Summer term
- How computers work (including networks and the internet)
- Scratch (Pacman)
Design and technology
Explore
- Resistant Materials – battle spinners. Design and make project
- Engineering/STEM– making, testing and recording
- Food – exploring nutrition, food safety and basic skills
- Textiles – product design/ storage solutions
- CAD/ digital art – introduction to industry standard software
Drama
In year 7, students study a range of topics such as introduction to drama and teaching them about dramatic techniques such as freeze frames, slow motion, mime which ultimately builds their confidence.
Students perform in groups and learn a range of basic dramatic performing skills as well as vocal skills, physical skills and characterisation skills that can be applied to their work for performance.
Students usually focus on three core performance skills in year 7 that progress throughout key stage 3 to more advanced performance skills in performance
English language and literature
Autumn Term
Great Expectations
Key concept – identity: childhood
Spring term
Animal Farm
Key concept – curiosity: power
Summer term
- Shakespeare
Key concept – empathy: deviance - The Isle of Noise
Key concept – British Values
French
Myself: Accès Studio Units 1-4
- Myself
- School
Myself: Accès Studio Units 5-9
- Family
- School
- Free time
- Sports
- Myself
School: Mon college
- School
- Food and drink
Geography
- My place
- Settlement
- Coasts
- Weather
- Living of the Earth
History
- Early invaders and settlers
- The Battle of Hastings
- The Norman Conquest
- Medieval life
- Medieval power
- The Silk Roads
- African kingdoms
- Early modern religious changes
- Early modern society
- The English Civil War
- Early Empire
Maths
- Number – prior/core
- Algebra – prior/core
- Geometry – prior/core
- Statistics and probability – prior/core
- Ratio and proportion – prior/core
Music
- Students will be able to perform as either a small band or larger ensemble and demonstrate the use of elements of music and composing. Skills taught include practice methods and song writing techniques
- Students will be able to recognise and describe the characteristics of the main ‘Pop’ genres’
- Students will be able to structure music so that it fits in with common compositional methods
- Students will be able to critique music they listen to using basic musical language
- Understand the health benefits of music and the uses of music in wider life including in other media\
- Students will investigate, compose and perform music from Brazil.
Personal development
- Transition and safety
Transition to secondary school and personal safety in and outside school, including first aid
- Developing skills and aspirations
Careers, teamwork and enterprise skills, and raising aspirations
- Diversity
Diversity, prejudice, and bullying
- Health and puberty
Healthy routines, influences on health, puberty, unwanted contact, and FGM
- Financial decision making
Saving, borrowing, budgeting and making financial choices
- Building relationships
Self-worth, romance and friendships (including online) and relationship boundaries
Physical education
In year 7, students take part in a range of team sports; (football, handball, netball, rugby), individual sports; (badminton, tennis, table tennis) and other sports; (fitness, gymnastics, dance, orienteering and cross country).
Students learn a range of basic skills in all disciplines as well as knowledge around rules, playing positions and how to prepare to body for physical activity. Students usually focus on three core skills in year 7 (team sports), that progress throughout key stage 3 to more advanced skills and strategy in performance.
Religion, philosophy and ethics
Science
Biology
- Structure and function of the digestive system and breathing system
- Reproduction in humans and plants
- Cells
- Respiration
- A simple model of chromosomes genes and DNA.
Chemistry
- Physical and chemical properties of different elements
- Structure of nuclear atomic model
- Chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds
- Properties of different states of matter
- Particle models
- The conservation of mass
Physics
- Energy
- The concept of work
- Waves and sound
- Forces
- The nature of fuels and the use of batteries.
- Magnetism as a non-contact force
Working Scientifically
- Identify independent, dependent and control variables
- Identify appropriate measurements to be taken.
- Make and record observations and measurements
- Interpret observations and data and draw conclusions
- Evaluate reliability of methods and evidence
