Year 9 Spring Term English

During the Spring term, Year 9 students will engage with “Texts Across Time,” exploring the theme of troubled childhood and orphans. They’ll compare and contrast Harry Potter, Oliver Twist, and A Series of Unfortunate Events (the Baudelaires), examining how different authors from different periods portray the experiences of vulnerable children. Students will develop their comparative analysis skills, looking at characters, settings, and the treatment of childhood across these important texts.

Year 9 Spring Term Maths

This term, pupils will build on what they learned in Years 7 and 8 and start working with more complex numbers, making connections using known number facts. They will apply this knowledge to other areas of Maths, such as:

• Using addition and multiplication to calculate the area or perimeter of different shapes
• Strengthening their understanding of position and direction, using the correct mathematical vocabulary
• Presenting their own data and interpreting charts, diagrams, and graphs to solve problems

These activities will help pupils develop confidence in applying Maths to real-life situations and prepare them for more advanced topics in the future.

Year 9 Spring Term Science

Year 9 Spring 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.

Year 9 Spring Term Religion and Ethics

Year 9 – Thinking Deeply About Life, Philosophy, and Worldviews

Spring Term – Humanism & Secular Worldviews
Students explore Humanist beliefs about ethics, human rights, and community, comparing secular and religious perspectives.

Year 9 Spring Term Art

In the Spring term the project is ‘Change Your Style’. Pupils will be looking at how art and design has changed over the years; they will look at the work of traditional designers such as William Morris and some modern designers such as Lotta Jansdotter and Cath Kidston. Pupils will experiment with a range of textiles art including felting, silk painting, tie dye and several printing techniques.

Year 9 Spring Term 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 9 students will explore costume and prop design, creating visual presentations of their research and designs they will collaborate with the drama and dance departments to create wearable pieces for the performance.

Year 9 Spring 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 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. Some students will begin to play with both hands.

We then move to further Improvisation and Composition. Students will learn about the Blues via Intentional Listening and will learn to improvise over the 12-bar structure using Keyboards and Garageband.

Year 9 Spring Term Expressive Arts

In the spring term pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a cross curricular project with the Arts Faculty.

Students will research around the theme of ‘Turn Back Time’, devising a live performance based on this theme. Students will also explore the different roles needed when creating and performing and take on these roles to help direct/produce a live performance.

Year 9 Spring Term PE

This term, pupils will take part in a range of activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and physical skills.

• Swimming will remain an important part of the curriculum. Pupils will work on improving their stroke technique, swimming more efficiently, and building stamina, while continuing to develop water safety awareness.
• In gymnastics, pupils will work in pairs and small groups to create sequences that show control, balance, and coordination. They’ll also explore supported balances and smooth transitions using both the floor and apparatus.
• Through team games like football, netball, and hockey, pupils will learn how to apply tactics in changing situations. These sessions will focus on teamwork, resilience, and leadership in competitive games.

We’re excited for an active and enjoyable term ahead!

Year 9 Spring 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 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.

Year 9 Spring Term PSHE

Year 9 students will continue to follow the Jigsaw PSHE and RSHE curriculum. We have chosen this approach to ensure that all content is age-appropriate and carefully adapted to meet the cognitive needs of our learners.

Spring 1 – Relationships and Respect
This term focuses on developing healthy relationships and understanding respect for self and others. Students explore themes such as valuing diversity, managing friendships, and recognising the impact of actions on others. RSHE content reinforces strategies for positive communication, empathy, and resolving conflicts calmly. Activities encourage teamwork and responsibility while promoting emotional wellbeing.

Spring 2 – Living in the Wider World
The emphasis moves to understanding personal responsibility and community engagement. Students learn about making informed choices, staying safe online and offline, and contributing positively to their environment. RSHE topics include personal safety, consent, and recognising trustworthy sources of support. Creative tasks and discussions help students develop resilience, independence, and practical life skills for everyday situations.

Year 9 Spring 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 be concentrating on buying, storing, preparing and cooking food safely and hygienically. We will continue work on healthy eating and ensure that they are learning more about food spoilage and decay. The pupils will learn when food spoils and be able to judge this by its appearance, taste, texture and odour change. They will understand how to use date marks and food storage instructions on food packaging. Pupils will be working on a project that investigates the differences between shop bought and homemade.

Year 9 Spring 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 9 pupils will continue to work on traditional Forest School tasks in addition to working alongside the Chiltern Rangers. They will become much more familiar with the use of tools and will also begin to learn about woodland management. Team work and cooperation continues to be a key element as they design their own programmes.

Year 9 Spring Term Humanities

Spring Term 1 – The American Civil Rights Movement

In the spring term, pupils will study a pivotal chapter in American history: the Civil Rights Movement. They will explore what life was like for African Americans during the mid-20th century and learn about the key figures, events, and campaigns that challenged racial segregation and discrimination. Pupils will examine how activists fought for justice and equality, and how their achievements helped shape modern society.

Spring Term 2 – Ancient Egypt

Pupils will travel further back in time to examine the civilisation of Ancient Egypt. They will explore daily life along the River Nile, including the roles of pharaohs, farmers, scribes, and artisans. Pupils will also learn about Egyptian religious beliefs, including the significance of the gods and goddesses, burial practices, and the traditions that shaped Egyptian culture for thousands of years.

Year 9 Spring Term ICT

At Key Stage 3, our ICT curriculum is designed to provide students with practical, functional digital skills that support independence, communication, and future employability. Pupils are introduced to key areas such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, internet safety, and basic coding, all delivered through structured, accessible lessons tailored to their individual needs.