Year 8 Summer Term English

For the Summer term, Year 8 students will explore the theme of “Heroes and Dragonslayers” through texts such as How To Train Your Dragon and The Hobbit. They’ll revisit the 7 Basic Plots and deepen their understanding of story structure using Freytag’s Pyramid. Students will also learn about the structure of novel series and explore different genres, developing their appreciation of how longer narratives are crafted and sustained across multiple books.

Year 8 Summer Term Maths

This term, pupils will continue to strengthen their number fluency and problem-solving skills, working both mentally and by explaining their methods clearly. Key learning will include:

• Consolidating understanding of place value
• Beginning to explore fractions, decimals and percentages (where appropriate)
• Identifying the correct units of measure when solving problems involving weight, length and capacity
• Using their knowledge of time with both analogue and digital clocks to solve real-life problems

Pupils will also learn about the properties of different shapes and use the correct mathematical language to describe them.

All Year 8 pupils will follow the same topic areas from the Alfriston Maths curriculum, but at a pace that suits their individual needs—ensuring everyone can achieve and feel challenged.

Year 8 Summer Term Science

Year 8 Summer Term Home Management

In Year 8, students take part in our Home Management curriculum, which is designed to help them develop essential life skills for greater independence at home and in the community. The curriculum includes practical activities such as household tasks like cleaning and laundry, and learning about personal hygiene and safety in the home. Lessons are hands-on and adapted to meet the needs of each learner, helping to build their confidence, responsibility, and self-care skills.

Year 8 Summer Term Religion and Ethics

Year 8 – Learning From Tradition, Values, and Identity

Summer Term – Big Moral Questions
Students explore ethical issues such as fairness, justice, equality, and the environment, comparing religious and non-religious viewpoints.
Parent support: Discuss everyday moral dilemmas and decision-making.

Year 8 Summer Term Art

In the Summer term our project is ‘Imaginary World’ and pupils will be looking at landscapes and the artistic movement Fauvism. They will look at a range of artists from John Constable and William Turner to Henri Matisse and David Hockney. We will also be studying a range of techniques and processes including photography, perspective, printing, drawing and painting. Pupils will get the opportunity to work outside and use the world around them as inspiration for their artwork.

Year 8 Summer Term Design Crafts

This term students will be working across the Design Crafts department to create a collaborative body of work for an exhibition that will be accessible by the wider community. Working to a set theme and brief each year group will work on an aspect of the theme creating a range of 2D and 3D works. Students will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of materials, equipment and bespoke skills workshops to reflect their ability levels. Each group will create their own designs but will work together across the year groups to co-create the wider exhibition. This work will be exhibited to the wider community and students will participate in curating, installing, presenting and stewarding their exhibition to the community.

Year 8 Summer Term 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 take a short course in West African Drumming, with visits from specialists and further work on polyrhythm in the classroom.

The Alfriston Singing Course continues this term as we work towards the summer show, improving singing technique, active listening and simple harmony work.

Towards the end of term students will have a short introduction to Garageband. They will learn to manipulate loops to form a piece demonstrating excellent structure and organisation. A focus on engagement with explanations, resilience in independent work, and risk taking is promoted.

Year 8 Summer Term Expressive Arts

This term students will be devising a performance based on the theme of musicals. The main focus will be delivering this performance to an audience from our local community. Students will understand what local community connections we have as a school, and what they can get involved with themselves.

Year 8 Summer Term PE

This summer, pupils will enjoy a wide variety of physical activities designed to build confidence, resilience, and key skills. They will take part in:

• Athletics – including sprinting, middle-distance running, long jump, high jump, and a range of throwing events. The focus will be on achieving personal bests and preparing for Alfriston School Sports Day.

• Striking and Fielding Games – pupils will develop hitting, fielding, and bowling techniques while learning more about the rules and tactics in Cricket and Rounders.

• Net and Wall Games – such as Tennis, where pupils will practice rallying and effective court positioning.

• Swimming – weekly lessons will help pupils build endurance and work towards swimming longer distances with improved technique and control.

• Cycling – pupils will experience different riding terrains and practice safe cycling in a variety of community settings.

We’re looking forward to an active and enjoyable term that encourages teamwork, confidence, and a love of sport!

Year 8 Summer Term Social & Emotional Skills

Lessons will be delivered on a rotation of theory, discussion/circle time, and practical activities to allow for learning and practice. During the third term pupils will be exploring relationship skills such as what makes a good friend and peer pressure. Pupils will also develop their decision-making skills, including their ability to think of multiple solutions to a problem and the consequences which might follow. Finally, pupils will challenge their ability to make goals and persist in achieving them.

Year 8 Summer Term PSHE

Summer 1 – Changing and Growing
Students explore how people change physically and emotionally as they grow, linking to RSHE themes around health, wellbeing, and personal development. Lessons include understanding the concept of change, building resilience, and recognising personal strengths. Activities encourage positive self-image and strategies for managing feelings during times of transition.

Summer 2 – Preparing for Transitions
The focus moves to managing change confidently and developing independence. Students learn practical strategies for coping with new experiences, setting goals, and maintaining healthy relationships. RSHE content reinforces personal safety, hygiene, and emotional health, alongside discussions about where to seek support. Creative tasks and reflection help students prepare for future challenges while strengthening life skills.

Year 8 Summer Term Food Technology

In Food Technology 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 Food Technology 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 understand the importance of being active and looking after themselves. They will learn that a variety of food is needed in the diet because different foods contain different substances that are needed for health. They will learn that all food and drink provide nutrients and understand that energy is provided by the different nutrients groups.

Year 8 Summer Term 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.

Year 8 Summer Term Humanities

Summer Term 1 – Migration and the Stories of Communities

In the first half of the summer term, pupils will learn about the experiences of different migrant groups and the reasons why people have moved from place to place throughout history. This includes a focus on Irish immigrants, Traveller communities, and the Windrush generation. Pupils will consider how migration has shaped modern Britain and contributed to the nation’s cultural richness.

Summer Term 2 – Anne Frank and Life in Nazi Germany

To conclude the year, pupils will study the life of Anne Frank, using her diary as a key historical source to understand her experiences in hiding during World War Two. They will research her story, explore themes of identity and perseverance, and learn about the wider context of life in Nazi Germany. This topic encourages empathy, critical thinking and an awareness of the importance of human rights.

Year 8 Summer Term Employability

As part of our employability curriculum, students take part in a wide range of practical activities designed to develop the skills they need for the world of work. Communication and teamwork are built through role-play scenarios, group tasks, and learning how to follow and give instructions. Workplace behaviours are introduced through timekeeping, dressing appropriately, understanding health and safety, and completing routine tasks like filing, sorting, and basic admin. Practical experiences such as food preparation, cleaning, and using simple tools help build confidence and independence. Digital skills are developed through activities like creating a CV, job searching online, and using computers for word processing, emails, and spreadsheets.