Curriculum

Art

Students are introduced to the formal elements in Art and explore these 7 different areas in a variety of ways through practical tasks, both independently and in groups. Students get to experiment with a range of media, including painting, printing and collage, as well as respond to styles and techniques used by artists.

Drama

Drama is a vibrant and exciting subject that is fantastic for developing important life skills confidence, communication, co-operation, creativity and control ('The 5 Cs of Drama').  In Year 7, students will learn how to create, perform and evaluate drama work and begin exploring a wide range of techniques, styles and genres. They will learn how to work together practically as a group and how to create imaginative characters using their voice, face, body and space, in order to engage an audience.

English

In Year 7 you will have the opportunity to develop your love of reading. You will study Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ and learn all about ideas of redemption. You will learn different forms of poetry and write your own. You will study ‘Frankenstein’, which is about a scientist who wanted to push the boundaries about what is possible.  All in all, this will be a chance to develop your thinking, reading and writing skills and most of all to enjoy the world of language and literature.

French

Bienvenue!

In 3 lessons a fortnight, Year 7 French students are introduced to the fantastic French language and culture. They start off with the basics – greetings, numbers, describing themselves and others, and their likes and dislikes. They then go on to study the topics of school and holidays. They will cover the present and future tenses by the end of Year 7.

Geography

Students are introduced to local, national and global concepts of: place, the environment, population, climate change and physical landscapes in the UK. Students will develop their cartographic, graphical and fieldwork skills through the year.

German

Willkommen!!

In 3 lessons a fortnight, Year 7 German students are introduced to the wonderful German language and culture. They start off with basic information – introducing themselves and taking about where they live and what they look like, before moving on to talk about their family, friends and pets as well as describing what they do in their free time. They will cover the present and future tenses.

History

In Year 7, students focus on British history.  Students begin with an introduction to some of the key skills in history, such as working with sources.  They then apply these skills in studying some big historical questions, such as: who held power in medieval times and how this developed, the role of religion, and how British society changed.  Lessons involve reading and engaging with historical sources, as well as debate and lots of historical writing.

ICT

For one exciting hour each week, students in ICT lessons will develop their digital literacy.  Students will learn to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies. We will deliver a series of units which includes: The School Network & Internet, Email & E-safety, Binary & Control Systems, as well as Presentation, Spreadsheet, Database, Publisher and Photoshop skills. They will also master the use of common hardware tools such as scanners and digital cameras. Students also learn how to evaluate their own work and that of their peers. Both homework and classwork will be completed in their online digital book which can be accessed by both students and parents at home. The department runs a thriving ICT support club at lunchtimes and a coding club after school to enhance and support student learning.

Maths

In Year 7, students cover 7 units of work comprising number, algebra, data and geometry. Students are taught in mixed attainment groups and tasks are structured to develop a deep understanding of the topics covered. Lessons are planned to encourage students to explore concepts and to make connections through investigation, group work and independent study. We provide an online learning platform to assist homework and revision and we offer a help club every lunchtime for students who require additional support. Outside of the classroom, we run weekly maths puzzle competitions and students will be given the opportunity to take part in the UKMT Maths Challenge competitions.

Music

Year 7 Music students attend one lesson per week where we will explore a wide range of topics that aim to build skills and knowledge throughout the year. Music lessons will see you take part in performance and composition and listening activities using our iMac suite and a range of practical equipment from keyboards to ukuleles, drum kits and Samba drums.

Physical Education

In your 2 lessons a week, Year 7 PE students are introduced to a number of sports and activities. You will learn how to warm up and cool down and why this is important. There is also a key focus on healthy active lifestyles, sports leadership, enjoying physical activity and the benefits from exercising. In lessons students will develop their skills and performances in a number of sports and activities such as football, netball, rugby, gymnastics, dance, basketball, cross country, handball and more. Students will be assessed in these activities on their range of skills, quality of skills, physical & mental attributes and decision making .

Religious Education

RE gives students the chance to think about what is important to them; to ask ‘Big Questions’ like ‘Is God real?’, ‘Is there life after death?’ and ‘How did the universe begin?’ They will learn about the world’s six main religions' beliefs, practices and how these affect believers’ behaviour.  They will also be encouraged to question and evaluate their learning according to their worldviews. Students are supported to be successful in their learning so they become confident and responsible people in their community and the world.

Science

Students are first introduced to the key scientific skills needed to plan and carry out an experiment. They then study Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics on a rotation basis through which students will develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the world around them. In the first term they will cover scientific investigations and then the topics of particles in Chemistry, forces for Physics and cells for Biology.

All students follow a broad and balanced curriculum throughout Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) and are given an element of choice at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11).

Lower school  years 7, Year 8 and year 9 (Key Stage 3)

All students follow a common curriculum.  In Year 7 the subjects studied are:

• Art

• Drama

• English

• French

• Geography

• German 

• History

• ICT

• Mathematics

• Music

• Physical Education

• Religious Education

• Science

• Technology (Design, Food and Textiles)

PSHE is a timetabled lesson across all key stages following government statutory guidance.

Careers Education

The school provides an extensive careers education programme. 

Year 7 students will have the opportunity to engage in work shadowing in January of their first year and numerous internal and external opportunities are made available to all years throughout their time in the school. This includes a full week of work experience in Year 10 and access at Key Stage 4 to a careers adviser. Our programmes are designed to give students the very best opportunities of access their preferred higher or further educational programmes on leaving the school.

This gives a flavour of the types of activities which typically run at the school. An updated list will be available in September:

Please see our website for more information Music Lessons - HERE

The School is committed to providing the most appropriate level of support possible given the resources available and this is particularly true for students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability.  Students are identified by information provided by primary schools, through standardised tests and by subject teachers and outside agencies.

The needs of students receiving additional support are reviewed regularly on an individual basis in conjunction with subject teachers, parents, the child and any necessary outside agencies.  Any questions in relation to SEND should be directed to the SEN Department senco@chancellors.herts.sch.uk.

Please refer to the SEND Information available on the school website for additional information regarding Special Educational Needs: Chancellor’s School/Curriculum/SEND/Learning Support

SENCo - Miss S Crowley

Email - senco@chancellors.herts.sch.uk