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Year 8 (Key Stage 3)
Year 8 (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 periods, in addition to 10, 20 minute tutor periods, arranged over a two week timetable. They begin each day with a tutor period. The number of lessons students have within each subject is detailed in the table pictured right.
For the academic year 2024-2025, we will continue to deliver computing via enrichment days where students will participate in computing workshops. These sessions will be delivered by our specialist computer science teachers along with external experts from industry.
Find out about what students will learn in these subjects by visiting the curriculum map for the subject. 2024-2025 Curriculum maps will be available soon.
*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
Each English class will be named after a person or character that is relevant to the English curriculum. This will appear on student timetables as the initials of that person or character. For example, a class named ‘Mary Shelley’ may have a class code of 8XMS. Students will then spend some time exploring literature around this person or character and return to them throughout the year.
English classes in Year 8 consist of one accelerated group and four mixed-ability groups on each side of the timetable.
The accelerated group is based on students’ prior attainment to ensure they are working at an appropriate level of challenge. This grouping is reviewed termly to ensure that students in the accelerated group continue to thrive and can manage the demands of the curriculum.
The mixed-ability classes are carefully structured to include a balanced mix of students with high, middle, and lower prior attainment, ensuring that all students are both challenged and supported effectively.
We have three key formal assessment points throughout each academic year, supported by regular ‘learning snapshots’, to monitor the progress students are making and to ensure that this progress continues to build each term.
If we have any concerns about a student’s progress towards their target grade, we will contact parents to discuss how we can work together to provide support both 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
During Year 8, Maths classes are primarily taught in mixed-ability groups. In addition, we have a nurture group for students requiring extra support, as well as two advanced groups. Both the advanced and mixed-ability groups follow the same curriculum content, although the advanced groups occasionally explore topics in greater depth. In all groups, tasks are thoughtfully differentiated to ensure that students at all levels are stretched, challenged, and inspired.
Students are assessed twice per half term to track progress and ensure that early intervention can take place where necessary. Assessment results are recorded on Go4Schools, allowing parents to view them as they are entered throughout the year. If there are any concerns about a student’s progress, staff will contact parents to discuss how best to support their child.
We aim to keep students’ class teachers as consistent as possible. However, set changes may occur during the academic year where staff feel this is in the student’s best interest; such changes 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
Science
Science
Year 8 are taught in new mixed ability groups. There are ten classes that are different to tutor groups but with the same balance of gender and ability. Numbers on class codes do not have any hierarchical meaning associated with them.
Where classes are shared between teachers, staff will work together in the same google classroom so that there is a single topic taught at a time.
Students’ attainment in Year 8 Science will determine who is offered a place on the Triple Science pathway, beginning in Year 9.
Contact: Mr Ben Tinkler, Curriculum Leader for Science
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 8 classes are set based on students’ performance throughout Year 7. Groups are arranged 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 enables the curriculum to be designed in a way that provides opportunities for different skills to be mastered.
Contact: Mr James Gentry, Curriculum Leader for PE
All other subjects
All other subjects
Throughout Year 8 the following subjects are taught within a student's tutor group: Art, Careers & Enterprise, Character in Action, Drama, French, Geography, History, Learning about Life, Music, & Spanish. For any queries about tutor group arrangements please contact your child's Head of Community.
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