ENGLISH
Year 8 will spend the first half of the term looking at Poetry for Pleasure. They will investigate the use of words in poetry and the impact they have on the meaning of a poem. Rhythm, rhyme and syllables will be studied. The second half of the term will focus on both printed and online magazines and articles with a focus on persuasive writing. Speaking and listening will be used to develop their ideas. Spelling, handwriting and phonic interventions will be offered where necessary. Library times will continue to offer dedicated reading time with one to one feedback.
MATHS
The Spring term in Year 8 sees the students learning about shopping, value for money, and Functional Skills word problems, where if necessary the staff will continue to develop basic operation and number skills. For those students that are secure with this, the teacher will differentiate the work to appropriately challenge with skills such as fractions, factors and prime numbers.
We also aim to do a whole school Mathematics project where we hold a community event to raise money for a selected charity. We are lucky enough to have double lessons once a week, which gives us a great opportunity to go out in the community and put what we have learnt in the classroom, into practice. Online independent work continues with Mangahigh.
SCIENCE
Energy at Work – In this theme we find out what is meant by energy and energy transfer. We explore how energy resources are used in power stations to generate electricity and how this effects our environment.
Life Processes – In this theme we find out about what takes place in our bodies to keep us alive. This involves finding out about breathing, circulation and the way in which our bones and muscles work when we move.
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.
In History, we will look closely at the effect industry has had on the environment. This year the students will be asked to consider the various impacts of cattle farming on our planet and wildlife, and what the future might look like for sustainable food production.
In Geography, we will be questioning how we can look after our environment and why it is important too. We will look closely at the effect of plastic in different environments and global environmental issues.
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 explore the nature of Christianity and what it means to be a Christian in modern society. Pupils will consider ways in which Christians worship, finding out about some of the things that help them. They will think about new ways to look at the religion and its stories. There will also be an opportunity to look at examples of Christianity in paintings and sculpture. Pupils will be able to use key questions to help them to join in discussions and write down their ideas and share their opinions. There will be opportunities also to visit a local church and meet local church leaders.
ART
In the Spring term our projects is called ‘Objects and Viewpoints’. Pupils will be looking at Cubism and in particular the work of artist Pablo Picasso. Pupils will be looking at a range of drawing, painting and photography techniques and how a different viewpoint can create an exciting change to a picture. The challenge will be to show 3D objects in a 2D format and explore how to create the abstracted cubist style.
DESIGN CRAFTS
During the spring term, Design Crafts students will have the opportunity to take part in a cross curricular project with the Dance and Drama department. After an initial research phase, students will co-create a range of Props, costumes and scenery that they will wear for an in-school performance.
Year 8 students will be developing their research and presentation skills through the creation of mood boards and opportunities to present their ideas and designs to their peers and staff. Students will engage with their set brief to design and crate a range of wearable accessories that are linked to their roles in the performance.
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.
Students will learn more challenging keyboard pieces to improve skills, dexterity, pair work skills, resilience in individual practice, and risk taking in performance. Lessons and methods are differentiated so that students work at their own level.
We then move to Improvisation and Composition on keyboards and Chrome Lab. The Elements of Music and Instruments of the Orchestra are revised, and compositions will demonstrate an understanding of structure and organisation. Solo and paired performances with our encouragement and congratulation will continue to build confidence, resilience and self esteem in our students.
DANCE
Dance from around the world – This term, pupils will explore different dance styles from around the world such as Gumboot dancing and Bollywood. Building on the key words learnt last term: Action, Space, Dynamics and Relationship, to create and choreography their own routines to perform.
PE
During this term pupils will be developing their social interactions and risk taking through invasion games and paired and grouped activities in gymnastics. During invasion games pupils will be encouraged to recognise and exploit opponent weaknesses and develop their tactical understanding. Trust activities will feature prominently within gymnastics as supported balances are explored through floor and apparatus work.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Lessons will be delivered on a rotation of theory, discussion/circle time, and practical activities to allow for learning and practice During the second term pupils will be developing their self-management skills. Pupils will develop a greater understanding for their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how to manage these in different scenarios and with a variety of coping skills. Pupils will then begin to develop their social awareness by challenging their social communication skills and exploring and accepting others’ perspectives.
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.
Spring 1: Pupils will explore relationships and examine the importance of emotions, Identifying and expressing feelings, Self-esteem and unkind comments, Managing strong feelings, Romantic feelings and sexual attraction.
Spring 2: Pupils will focus on the topic of Changing and Growing. There will be a strong focus on changes at puberty, Self-care, Different types of relationships Healthy and Unhealthy relationships, Consent, Different types of relationships.
HOME ECONOMICS
In Home Economics the pupils 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.
Pupils will gain a better understanding of where our food comes from, and how it is produced. We will be focussing on how this helps them to make more informed choices about their diet. Pupils will follow a project on ‘lunches’, enabling them to make hand held snack foods that are both sweet and savoury.
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 8 pupils will continue to develop and build their relationships with each other and the natural environment. Team work and co-operation continue to be the main focus. Alongside this the students will also be introduced to using tools such as knives, loppers and saws.