ENGLISH
In the first half term, year 7 will be securing their basic literacy skills whilst writing to describe themselves. They will become secure using Clicker to record their work. They will look at biographies and use their reading and comprehension skills to find out about other people.
Later in the term they will look at artistic works to develop their creative writing skills. They will use the Foodscapes series by Carl Warner. They will use their five senses to describe scenes and use their imagination to write descriptions and short stories.
MATHS
In Year 7, productive working relationships are important to establish as soon as possible, and we do this in a variety of ways through practical activities, social interaction games and have conversations around the topic being taught.
In the Autumn term, we focus on two topics; money and time. However, layered in with this are explicit links to real-life learning and practical applications so the students can understand the importance of the topic.
Students have weekly sessions of independent online learning using a great, interactive program called Mangahigh where they can work towards online and physical prizes at school.
We also combine our lessons with an Edexcel Functional Skills specification to give our students the best possible chances of success for their futures.
SCIENCE
Healthy Lifestyles – In this theme the girls do lots of practical activities to do with food and digestion. They also explore other aspects of health and fitness.
Classifying Materials – In this theme we explore the properties of different materials and the way in which some of these properties can be explained using the idea of particles.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental Studies incorporates work from History, Geography and practical outdoor learning. This outdoor learning provides the students with opportunities to learn and enhance their horticultural and animal care skills.
This term in History, the pupils will be given the opportunity to explore Human Rights. We will explore how human rights have evolved and look at children’s rights.
In Geography the students will look at human rights nationally and globally. This will give the students an opportunity to investigate how children and adults are protected nationally and internationally. We will also be looking at local organisations which provide a service to help protect civilians. This will support the girls to identify organisations in their local area.
RELIGION AND ETHICS (R AND E)
The Religion and Ethics balanced curriculum is designed to help pupils begin to explore and engage with the six main religions from a spiritual and ethical perspective to stimulate their interest and understanding. The subject naturally is geared towards discussion, debate and a variety of opinions when exploring a range of spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues. Pupils are encouraged to appreciate and respect the British values of tolerance and freedom of speech when exploring their own beliefs and that of others.
Pupils will consider what is meant by Religion and Ethics. Pupils will then have the opportunity to share things they have already learned and to think about things that are special to them. Pupils will look at special stories, celebrations and people. They will use key questions to help them to join in discussions and write down their ideas.
Pupils commence their R&E journey by learning about the fundamentals of Christianity. Pupils will begin to learn about the structure of the church, the importance of the Bible and the role of God. Pupils will also be introduced to the Old and New Testament and learn about the Creation story- The Book of Genesis.
Pupils will also be introduced to Judaism and Islam. They will also explore religious symbols, read stories about Jesus, Moses and Muhammad. They will look at special religious celebrations such as baptism and confirmation.
ART
Art in Year 7 has three themes across the year. In the Autumn term our project is called ‘Green and Spikey’. Pupils are encouraged to exploring the natural world through artwork and learn about the formal elements of Art & Design. We use plants, shells and other natural objects to get ideas for artwork and pupils are introduced to a range of art materials and techniques. We also study the work of artists who explore the theme of nature in their work, for example Patrick Coffaro, Angie Lewin, Andy Goldsworthy and Georgia O’Keeffe.
DESIGN CRAFTS
Design Crafts is aimed at developing the design and practical skills in young Designer Makers across the student pathways. Promoting a culture of creativity that will provide opportunities for engagement in the community and encourage skills to support wellbeing and independence (appropriate to student pathways) into adult life. The projects change yearly as we take current opportunities and respond to design briefs as they occur.
The skills and knowledge developed through the KS3 Design Crafts programme feeds directly into the Social Enterprise programme in years 11, 12 and 13 where as part of the work related learning offering, students run a small crafts business that funds a range of community arts projects where students engage with and support local organisations, schools and community groups.
This term in is focused around product design. Year 7 students will explore a range of basic design skills, practical workshops and an introduction to materials and tool use through a themed product design project. Students will engage with a range of materials and skills based around the theme of their project to create a product that will be on sale at the Christmas Fayre.
MUSIC
The music curriculum at Alfriston has been carefully designed to be therapeutic, and to promote confidence and a growth mindset for all our girls. We aim to be absolutely inclusive and to meet our girls whatever their level or need. Our Learning for Living skills of Engagement, Independence, Risk Taking, Resilience and Social Interaction are promoted in every lesson, and in some of our topics, Organisation will be an important focus.
We begin with a varied selection of Rhythm work, and presume nothing in terms of prior knowledge. From the outset we promote a safe and encouraging classroom atmosphere, with plenty of fun and achievement, and we aim to build confidence in our new students.
We move on to the Alfriston Singing Course – and learn technique from the outset. Singing is very important at Alfriston, as it enables everyone to perform quality music without the need for a separate instrument; they, and we, take great pride in their work. The culmination of the half term’s singing will be performances at Christmas.
DANCE
Elements of dance – This term, pupils will be focussing on the four key elements of dance, Action, Space, Dynamics and Relationships. They will be encouraged to take inspiration from professional work and choreograph their own routines.
PE
Pupils will learn how to organise themselves efficiently for physical education lessons and understand the importance of taking part in regular exercise. Activities this term will be made up of a programme of basic skills, multi skills and a selection of mini games. The skills will be developed through a range of activities and will be applied during mini games.
An emphasis will be placed on team-building and developing social relationships through practical experiences. Pupils will experience using our swimming pool and rules and regulations that surround it.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Pupils will be split into smaller groups and receive a rotation of Social Skills, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy. For the Social Skills classes pupils will talk through what they have covered in Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy and it will be reinforced in a circle time format. Following this, pupils will play games or do team building exercises in order to build friendships with the other pupils, learn/practise social and emotional skills, and become accustomed to the style of Social Skills lessons ready for year 8 and 9 when the classes are much larger.
In the Occupational Therapy lessons, pupils will be supported with their transition into secondary school through the development of their independence skills. The lessons will cover expectations about appearance in school and the related skills needed, e.g. buttons, zips, hair tying, bag packing. They will also explore where things are in school, route finding, using a timetable and how this can be transferred into the community. At the end of the Summer Term there will be a block of lessons focussing on road safety.
For the Speech and Language Therapy Classes pupils will cover Classroom Skills, which includes listening skills, showing you are ready to work, respecting others, indoor and outdoor voice and learning teachers’ names. They will also explore how to use their visual timetable, bag packing, homework diaries, and asking for help.
PSHE
PSHE at all key stages aims to promote positive well-being and mental health enabling pupils to take responsibility for their learning and future life choices.
Pupils will have opportunities to understand and reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally, emotionally and socially, encompassing many of the spiritual, moral, social, cultural and health issues in their lives and that of others in wider society. This will enable them to be have a deeper understanding of themselves, others and the world they live in while building meaningful relationships. It will also enable pupils to develop leadership of themselves and others and develop personal and transferable skills related to the Learning for Living skills such as confidence and resilience.
There will be opportunities for pupils to find out what the school is like, how it functions as well as its rules. They will then think about friendships and relationships and begin to consider their future challenges and choices.
Pupils focus on self-identity and forming healthy friendships as they transition from primary to secondary. Learners will have the opportunity to learn skills and strategies to keep them safe as they become more active members of society. Pupils will begin to explore citizenship and what it means to be a citizen.
Autumn 1: Pupils will be introduced to the concept of self-awareness and examine a variety of related topics. Pupils will identify their personal strengths and areas of development, positive friendships, people who are special, describe what it means to treat others in an unkind way, recognise changes in their body and the influence of media representations and employ strategies to cope with pressure and be aware of how stereotyping can be harmful and can encourage prejudice. Pupils will also explore diversity as part of Black History Month.
Autumn 2: Pupils will explore the various changes and challenges that young people face in the wider world as they gain independence. Through the concept of self-care, support and safety students will gain knowledge, information that will equip them for the experiences and challenges of living in a digital world to make informed decisions, learning to manage their minds, bodies, relationships, online lives and the influence of their peers and social media platforms. They will have lessons which will focus on the following:
Pupils will explore the concept of: Taking care of ourselves, Keeping safe, Feeling frightened, Coping with Anxiety and Stress, Trust, Online Safety and Public and Private.
Opportunities may arise when a community police officer visits pupils to discuss how to keep and feel safe at all times. Pupils in small groups will consider bullying, what it is, how it can be prevented as well as coping strategies.
HOME ECONOMICS
The pupils working in Home Economics will focus on basic cooking and food preparation skills. Pupils will learn how to work safely in the kitchen as well as developing, an understanding of what Home Economics is and learn the important hygiene and healthy eating rules. They will learn about basic nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. Pupils will cook a wide range of dishes from a variety of simple recipes. Pupils will gain independence in the kitchen and begin to discuss the skills they are learning.
Year 7 pupils will focus on the importance of a healthy diet. They will learn that it is made up from a variety and balance of different foods and drinks, as depicted in the ‘Eatwell’ Guide. They will be able to identify and classify unfamiliar dishes according to the 5 groups depicted in the Eatwell guide.
FOREST SCHOOL
The pupils working in Forest School will be outside in the woodland area having a hands-on opportunity to learn about the natural environment through directed tasks and exploration. They will be guided to use their own initiative to solve problems and cooperate with others. The students will be given a large amount of freedom in their learning.
In Year 7 there will be a large focus on organising ourselves and being prepared for each lesson as well as becoming familiar with the rules and ready for learning. The main theme throughout the lessons will be building relationships and team work. Some of the activities throughout the year will include den building, fire lighting and exploration.