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Year 7 (Key Stage 3)
Year 7 (Key Stage 3)
Year 7 and 8 are arranged into two halves: generally referred to as X band and Y band. Each band is made up of five tutor groups drawn from across the different communities.
Tutor groups are designed to ensure a balanced mix of ability and gender, taking into account students’ individual learning needs and primary school recommendations.
The learning dynamic of the tutor group is of the utmost importance in Years 7 and 8, as students spend a significant amount of time learning within this group. This structure supports a smooth transition into secondary school.
In order to maintain excellent learning environments, it may occasionally be necessary to make amendments to a student’s tutor group.
See below for both the number of lessons that make up a student’s timetable and the details of class arrangements across the subjects.
Curriculum structure:
Curriculum structure:
Students have 50 one-hour lessons, in addition to 10 twenty-minute tutor periods, arranged over a two-week timetable. Each day begins with a tutor period.
The number of lessons students have in each subject is detailed in the table to the right.
To find out what students will learn in these subjects, please visit the curriculum map for each subject. Curriculum maps for 2025 -2026 will be available in September .
*Technology consists of three strands: Resistant Materials, Graphics, and Food Preparation & Nutrition. These are delivered on a rotation basis, with students spending one term in each strand.
Computing is delivered through enrichment sessions throughout the year. These sessions are led by both Computer Science specialists and external industry professionals, ensuring students benefit from the most up-to-date technology experience delivered by subject experts.
English
English
Students are taught in their tutor groups for English in Year 7. This means the classes are mixed ability throughout year 7.
Classes will have a similar balance of students with high attainment, middle attainment and lower attainment, so that all students are challenged and supported at the same time. We have three key formal assessment points throughout each academic year, supported by regular ‘learning snapshots’, in order to assess the progress that students are making and to ensure that this progress continues to build each term. If we have any concerns about a student being on track to achieve their target grade, we will contact parents to consider how we can support them at school and at home.
Some students will receive additional literacy intervention, which is delivered in a variety of ways depending on the level of support required. Literacy intervention is arranged by both the Additional Learning Team and the English Department.
Support may range from short-term, intensive six-week withdrawal sessions to longer-term literacy lessons, where students are withdrawn for extended periods. Some literacy intervention also takes place during tutor time.
If your child is offered literacy intervention, a member of staff will contact you to advise on the type of support being provided.
If you have any further questions regarding your child's mixed ability group, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Contact: Mr Matt Kirk, Curriculum Leader for English
Maths
Maths
Maths groups are taught in mixed ability during Year 7, along with a nurture group for students who require additional support. This allows all students to have access to top level work and an equal opportunity to enjoy and improve their maths. Work is carefully differentiated so that students of all attainment levels are stretched, challenged and inspired.
We assess the students twice per half term in order to track progress and ensure early intervention takes place, where necessary. Students’ assessments are recorded on Go4Schools and parents can view results as they are entered throughout the year. If there are concerns about a student’s progress, staff will contact parents to discuss how their child can best be supported.
We aim to keep students’ class teachers as consistent as possible, however, set changes can be made during an academic year where staff feel this is in the student’s best interest; this will typically take place at the end of a half term.
If you have any queries regarding your child’s maths group, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Contact: Mr Joseph Hampton, Curriculum Leader for Maths
jhampton@wardenpark.co.uk
Technology
Technology
Technology is taught on a rotation basis across three strands: Food Preparation and Nutrition, Resistant Materials, and Graphics. Students are taught in mixed-ability groups of up to 24, with each class comprising students from two different tutor groups drawn from up to two different communities.
Contact: Mr Stuart Davies, Curriculum Leader for Design & Technology
PE & Health & Wellbeing
PE & Health & Wellbeing
Year 7 classes are set after students complete their first four weeks of PE at Warden Park. During this period, students take part in a range of fitness and skill-based assessments. These tests are repeated in July to allow students to track their progress over time.
Some of the assessments completed during the initial four weeks include:
Bleep test
Cooper 12-minute run
30m sprint test
Sit-up test
Coordination assessment
Agility test
Wall sit test
Sit and reach test
Following these assessments, students are grouped into a high-performing group for boys, a high-performing group for girls, and two mixed-ability groups for boys and girls on each side of the year group.
Both PE and Health & Wellbeing lessons are taught in single-sex groups. This approach enables the curriculum to be tailored in a way that supports the mastery of different skills.
Contact: Mr James Gentry, Curriculum Leader for PE
All other subjects
All other subjects
Throughout Year 7 the following subjects are taught within a student's tutor group: English, Art, Character in Action, Drama, French, Geography, History, Learning about Life, Music, Science & Spanish. For any queries about tutor group arrangements please contact your child's Head of Community.
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