Year 7 Curriculum

As per the national curriculum our focus is to develop our students to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that they can reason mathematically and solve problems.

We cover units in depth, with regular recall to ensure they master the knowledge covered, and then we purposefully plan applications of these skills in later units for even greater consolidation

In Year 7 we focus specifically on justifying and reasoning the whys for fundamentals of Maths, along with strengthening & deepening students' understanding.

Algebraic Thinking Knowledge Organiser (for units on sequences, notation & equality)

We aim to develop our students to become confident in their study of literature by exposing them to a variety of interesting texts. We have planned our curriculum carefully to ensure each topic can be studied in depth; students will acquire and cement new knowledge whilst gaining sufficient practise in key skills.

In Year 7, we focus on introducing the study of literature by supporting students to respond and analyse texts.

The units studied in Year 7 aim to promote a love of reading which transcends the classroom and supports students to become lifelong learners in English. This early focus on reading will create a strong basis for students to become the creators of their own texts later in the year when they explore creative and persuasive writing.

War and Literature Knowledge Organiser

The KS3 Science Curriculum at KWS will set a solid foundation for our students to understand the world around them and the models that explain it. Our students will gain an appreciation of how Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. The curriculum will involve frequent practical investigation to ensure that scientific knowledge and skills are both developed from the start of their scientific studies at secondary school.

Through building up a body of fundamental knowledge and concepts, and gaining a command of the specific key terminology necessary, pupils will be able to apply logic and rational explanation to their own observations and, in turn, will develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Students will begin to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse cause and effect. The scientific process and how it has developed and continues to develop over time will also be a key feature of our curriculum.

Topics will be taught on a rotation basis, cycling through Biology, Chemistry and Physics and emphasis will be placed on the interleaving of knowledge and the overlap of skills from each discipline.

It is our hope that students will become motivated, inquisitive and enthusiastic scientists and that they will be inspired to pursue scientific endeavours and interests in their further studies and lives beyond through our varied and fascinating curriculum.

Knowledge organiser for Introduction to Science

Students in the first three years of PE study at KWS will have access to a variety of sports through PE under the broad areas of games, gymnastics, athletics and OAA - strands of Sport from the National Curriculum.

Students choosing to study PE further will begin to have a greater understanding of the theoretical side of Physical Education and Sport; learning about how the body works, fitness testing methods and components of a person's fitness.

In Year 7 there will be a strong focus on core physical education skills through games and individual sports. Students will have opportunities to take part in extra curricular activities through Period 7, lunch clubs and external fixtures.

Introduction to PE Knowledge Organiser

The aim of the KS3 History Curriculum at KWS is to extend and deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, inspiring them to be curious historians. Students will develop their skills to ask questions, think critically, analyse sources, interpret evidence and build their own perceptions and judgements of important events and time periods. Our History curriculum will encourage students to critically engage with the world they live, both past and present, developing their communication skills (oral and written) whilst deepening their empathetic understanding to support them in the ever changing world around them.

Using the “5 Ws” - Who? What? Where? When? Why? Our students will develop the ever important skills on their journeys to becoming historians. Our students will dive into the past with the objective of answering key enquiry concepts to engage, stimulate and more importantly excite their study of history, while always deepening their historic knowledge and understanding.

The Norman Conquest Knowledge Organiser

The aim of our KS3 Geography Curriculum is to open pupils’ eyes to the wonders of the physical world around us and to understand the characteristics and processes of geographical phenomena. Equally we aim to build an awareness of the inter-relationships between mankind and our environments, both locally and globally and to begin to explore the tensions and challenges inherent in our world around us. We will explore parts of the world that we are not familiar with and build curiosity and skills of enquiry around geographical topics and challenges that will affect students and future generations to come.

Pupils will delve into the big concepts of Geography, such as climate change, sustainability and globalisation and will improve their geographical skills and knowledge to think and write about issues in an informed and connected way.

Link to the Knowledge Organiser for Unit 1 - Map Skills here.

The aim of the KS3 Drama curriculum at KWS is to develop our students’ individuality, encourage them to think creatively, express themselves with confidence and to encourage tolerance and understanding. Students will learn to use Drama as a craft to question and challenge their perception of the world around them and build essential skills for both Drama and life: engagement, communication, creativity, clarity of expression, autonomy, leadership, confidence and cooperation. Throughout KS3 our students will build a knowledge of Theatre History, Theatre Practitioners, genre, style and study of a range of plays through performance, analysis and evaluation.

Following the introduction and exploration of key Drama skills: characterisation, conventions and techniques, in Year 7 our students develop their Drama knowledge and understanding through their application of skills to create, rehearse, perform, analyse and evaluate Theatre.

Introduction to Drama Knowledge Organiser

In RE we consider both Religion & Philosophy. Students will explore major questions that humans have asked since the beginning of time. We will also consider how different religions have responded to these questions.

In lessons students are asked to apply their own experience of the world to the key concepts studied. Students will be pushed to ask questions and challenge whilst maintaining respect and tolerance.

Students develop a range of skills and abilities: to be able to think critically about important questions; to be good communicators of their own views and to be able to reflect on the views of others; to see connections between beliefs and actions; and, to be able to deal with philosophical and ethical problems.

Link to Knowledge Organiser

As per the national curriculum, like all other MFLs Mandarin Chinese teaching focuses on developing the breadth and depth of pupils' competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing, based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary.

We cover units in depth, with regular recall to enable pupils to understand and communicate personal and factual information that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests, developing and justifying point of view in speech and writing, with increased spontaneity, independence and accuracy.

Year 7 course is based on Jin bu I, which covers all key concepts in the Programmes of Study comprehensively to enable our students to achieve, thrive and have fun in modern language learning (Linguistic competence, Knowledge about language, Creativity and Intercultural understanding).

Knowledge Organiser Link (awaiting link)

As outlined in the National Curriculum: Learning a foreign language provides an opening to other cultures and liberation from insularity.

Our Spanish curriculum will equip our students to have the confidence to engage with the four key skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.

Students will be introduced to the logic and patterns of the Spanish language to ensure that, even when they come across new vocabulary, they may be able to use cognates or rules that they have previously come across to deduce the meaning. To ensure that students feel comfortable to learn through making mistakes, emphasis will also be placed on being able to understand and make themselves understood, without dwelling on absolute perfection. Languages are, after all, about effective communication and, if students feel overly concerned about saying something ‘perfectly’, they can easily lose confidence and become demotivated.

Our students will also benefit from gaining the highly transferable skill of developing memory techniques, particularly in relation to the retention of vocabulary. As the 4^th most spoken language in the world it is our hope that KWS students will feel confident to communicate with native speakers from and in Spanish-speaking countries and use this to open opportunities for them in the future.

Knowledge Organiser Link (awaiting link)

Our aim in year 7 is two fold. Firstly to support our students to become digitally literate in using their Chromebook and Google Apps to enhance their learning across the curriculum and secondly to get them all thinking and communicating logically.

During KS3 we provide students with a solid springboard to GCSE computer science, developing skills in Data Representation and Programming combined with a greater understanding of the role of Computers in Society.

Are you digitally literate? Knowledge Organiser

The aim of the PSHCE curriculum is that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe and prepared for life and work in modern Britain

The Programme of Study aims to develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, team-working and critical thinking in the context of learning grouped into three core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world (including economic wellbeing and aspects of careers education).

Knowledge Organiser link ( awaiting link)

Focus is on developing confidence in the key musical skills of performing, composing, listening and understanding:

• performance skills; class/group singing and instrumental tasks
• composition skills; creating and developing own musical ideas
• music software skills; use of Garageband
• listening and understanding skills across a range of styles
• confidence in the use of key musical vocabulary
• confidence in the creative process; collaboration, decision-making, risk taking, imagination, reflection

Autumn Term:

Knowledge Organiser Link (Building Bricks)

Knowledge Organiser Link 2 (Sonority City)

Listening Organiser: Exploring Sounds

The KS3 curriculum aims to develop students confidence, knowledge and understanding of art through the use of core principles, techniques and exposure to a variety of art materials. In addition to developing visual literacy to help understand symbolism and meaning in both art and the world around them.

During year 7 students will focus on developing fundamental understanding and core principles of art through guided projects that allow students to build a foundation of knowledge for further study. Students will explore the work of artists and movements whilst building a bank of subject specific terminology in order to analyse and evaluate art work. In addition students will start to explore colour theory and the key elements of art whilst experimenting with the uses and capabilities of materials such as watercolour and acrylic paints, oil pastel and 3D construction. Students will use directed improvement and reflection time to ensure that skills are developed and embedded in their practice in year 7 and beyond

Year 7 colour theory knowledge organiser

Year 7 elements of art knowledge organiser

The KS3 curriculum aims to develop students creativity and imagination, students will design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

During year 7 students will focus on developing fundamental understanding and core principles in Textiles and Graphics through guided projects that allow students to investigate, experiment and construct ideas using the design cycle. Students will use directed improvement and reflection time to ensure that skills are developed and embedded in their practice in year 7 and beyond.

Year 7 Textile knowledge organiser

Period 7 is an integral aspect of Katherine Warington’s extra-curricular offer.

We aim to provide an inspiring super-curriculum that affords all students the opportunity for success. Period 7 allows students to find and to develop a range of personal interests. We recognise that learning goes beyond the classroom and believe learning should exist outside students’ experience of their academic and pastoral curriculum to truly educate a child’s mind, body and soul. This balance will allow students to realise their full potential as dynamic, collaborative, successful individuals equipped to thrive in a changing world.