Curriculum Information for Parents (2015-2016)

Sept. -Dec.

English (Mr Birtwistle)

Maths (Mrs Chapman)

Science (Mr Bell)

Year

9

The first half term focuses around the Willy Russell play Blood Brothers. They will see the play later this term too. We will be using the play to consider the social context of the 1970s. Understanding the importance of context is crucial to coping with the demands of the new GCSE course. Students will also be developing the skills needed to develop their own piece of drama. After half term we move onto non-fiction and look at newspapers, tabloids and broadsheets and consider persuasive techniques, manipulation and bias.

We are aiming to complete the Statistics GCSE course this year. Its a new development for SKS, but with statistics being included in the Maths GCSE, it makes sense to use it to get a second maths based GCSE now. Topics to be covered this term include: Data handling cycle Sampling techniques Types of data Setting appropriate hypotheses And calculating sample sizes.

Core Science GCSE Term 1: Atoms, elements & compounds. Limestone, its uses and reactions Conduction, convection & energy conservation. Pathogens and disease.

Term 2: Immunity. Hormones, the menstrual cycle and fertility. Extracting metals and burning fossil fuels. Forms of energy, advantages & disadvantages.

Year 10

We have begun the new Literature and Language GCSE syllabuses now. Currently we are studying Macbeth. Everything we do focuses on what will be required in the exam in two years time. This means analysing scenes on detail and understanding the common Shakespearean themes that run through out. After half term we will be looking at Dickens Christmas Carol. We study the novel in detail. There will be two questions on this text in the exam. One will be specific, the second will be more general. Speaking and listening skills are also being developed.

The year starts with a focus on number. Included are prime factors and surds. The run up to half term then includes expressions, fractions and basic algebra with an assessment before the half term break.

After the break, topics include: Coordinates and linear graphs Upper and lower bands Collecting and representing data Sequences Percentages

Additional Science GCSE Term 1: Chemical and ionic bonding. Polymers and nano-science. Velocity and acceleration. Forces.

Term 2: Glucose and adaptation in plants. Mass and reactions. Catalysts and energy transfer. Energy & work and electrical circuits.

Year 11

The group are working on different things at present. Some students are improving their Language coursework in readiness for the November examination. All students are working on their Literature coursework. Its a comparative essay looking at Martin Pig, Frankenstein and poems by Browning and Duffy. A lot of preparatory work is going into this task. By Christmas it should all be done, marked and filed ready for submission. We then move on to study A View From a Bridge by Arthur Miller and unseen poetry. A busy year!

We have two courses going on within the group now. Some students are working towards the GCSE Maths in November and the end of the year. The rest of the group are now preparing for the Further Maths GCSE in the Summer. Key topics for the GCSE Maths include number,

algebra and geometry. The Further Maths students will study the same

topics but naturally need to go into significantly greater depth.

Additional Science GCSE Term 1: Physics topics including Velocity and Time,

Acceleration, Forces and Energy and Radiation.

Term 2: We move on to Chemistry with topics including

Chemical and ionic bonding.

Polymers and nano-science.

Velocity and acceleration.

Forces

Curriculum Information for Parents (2015/16)

YEARS 9-11 GCSE OPTIONS

(September to December 2015)

Art & Design (Ms Senior) This first part of the course is very much about developing the artistic and research skills to be successful when the exam work is developed in March. Observational drawing and mood boards are being covered, along with artists research, exploration of materials and developing ideas. Running alongside this is the reflection and comparison of different artists work. All of the work being completed at the moment contributes to the final grade. .

Business Studies (Mr Fletcher) Students have two exams to face for this subject, and the group is preparing for the first of those currently. It is all about Setting Up a Business, and includes finance, people and operations management as well as marketing. With this work finishing shortly after half term, the group will move on to begin studying for the second paper on Developing a Business. The same themes apply, only this time they are linked to larger firms and companies.

Hospitality (Ms Galloway-Smith) Aspects of food preparation come into the Hospitality course, but the primary focus is on how best to serve and cater for peoples needs. Currently the group is working on planning and implementing a MacMillan coffee morning for the community. The focus then switches to designing a staff Christmas buffet. This practical learning is supported by the theory that underpins it including potion control, risk assessments and healthy eating and nutrition.

Agriculture (Newton Rigg College) The course is delivered by staff from Newton Rigg College, giving student access to the very best tuition. On Friday mornings the group travels across to Penrith to work on the College farm sites. This hands-on experience supports the theory work taking place at SKS on Monday afternoons. The course covers much of what students know about hill-farming, but goes well beyond that too. Students are learning about different approaches and methods.

Drama (Mr Layden) The three options within the drama course are: 1. Scripted Performance 2. Improvisation 3. Devised Drama Students are working within all there of three areas and are currently evaluating plays such as The Crucible and Blood Brothers. After half term the focus switches scenes from Be My Baby and the play Too by Jim Cartwright.

French (Mrs Sharples) Much of the work this term focuses on the three tenses: past; present and future. We are also building up vocabulary by looking at topics like: school; uniform; jobs; house and home; festivals; environmental issues; new technology; lost property; hobbies; and shopping. Much of this work builds up to the Speaking Assessment taken in early December. We then switch to preparing for the Written Assessment to be completed after Christmas.

Geography (Mr Fletcher) The first part of the term focuses on the Physical Geography unit. Topics covered include: the structure of the Earth; plate tectonics; rivers and flooding; and ice and its impact. The Human Geography unit begins in early December with Population change, pyramids & sustainability.

Child Development (Ms Galloway-Smith) The course takes a chronological approach and begins with preparing for parenthood, pregnancy and birth. We have a number of important visitors coming into the classroom, including the very young! Nappy changing has been attempted. Healthy diets and nutrition will soon be covered and the students learn about how infants develop. By Christmas the students will have completed their first research task on safe playgrounds.

Resistant Materials (Ms Senior) Everything we are covering at the moment counts for the final grade. The controlled assessment counts for 60% in total. Currently we are working on folder pages, analysing existing products and design ideas. After half term students will begin to make their controlled assessment pieces. All the planning, measurements and materials must be ready for them to get on with the making aspect of this course. Lots to do!

Physical Education (The Carlisle SPAA) The PE course has both practical and theory based activities. This term students are working on football assessments for their practical work. In class they are considering the range of physical activities and the different roles played by people in the sports world. After half term the focus switches the decisions that people need to make if they are to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This covers both emotional as well as physical well-being.

Basic Skills This practical hands-on course is designed to help students with their studies elsewhere in the curriculum. A lot of the class room work focuses on developing basic literacy and numeracy skills reading, writing, speaking & listening and addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The skills are reinforced in a practical way with students currently planning and developing the school garden. They are also busy up at the Alston Primary School site.