Year 8 Curriculum 2018/19

The table and diagram above explains what proportion of the curriculum time in Year 8 is allocated to each of the curriculum areas and the teaching hours for a 50-period fortnight (the school operates a 2-week 50 hour timetable).

Year 8 is organised into two equal, parallel halves, y band and z band. This means that the year is split by ability and gender into two equal groups. These two halves are then treated as equal groups. The year half is then the same for all classes in every subject.

The ability of the cohort determines the ability of the groups, so it is not the case that a comparison can be made between groups in different years.

The ability of the cohort determines the ability of the sets, so it is not the case that a comparison can be made between sets in different years. The ability of each student in a particular set determines the outcomes. For example, the average grade for a particular set could be a Grade 7 one year and a Grade 5 the following year.

We regularly assess students and will only move student’s groups if it is appropriate to do so. It is however, not appropriate to do this multiple times through the year, so we keep to a schedule of assessment, moderation, discussion and information-sharing and then group changes.

Whilst we endeavour to do everything possible to avoid mistakes, we are human and mistakes can happen. If you think that this is the case for your child, then please contact their Progress Tutor or ultimately their Progress Manager so that we can engage in dialogue to rectify any issues or resolve any queries or misunderstandings. Please remember that grouping is not about parental preference, but about our proven methods of correct placement.

Where students are not making sufficient progress towards the expected standards, we will alter their curriculum provision to support them to make expected progress. This can be on targeted withdrawal from some lessons or classes or extra support in classes. We assess the need for this from internally administered reading age tests and other assessments.

(click here for subject information)

Students are grouped (broadly in ability order) in English classes using information from the previous year. In Year 8 there are four classes in each year half for English and they are numbered 1-4. Group 1 is at the top of the ability spectrum and sets are split to allow smaller class sizes and therefore more dedicated support. One exception to this pattern is that groups 3 and 4 are of equal ability in y band; this enables students in Z4 to have a greater focus on mastering basic literacy skills.

As an example, on a student’s timetable this will appear as 8y/En3. This is Year 8, y half, English, group 3.

(click here for subject information)

Students are grouped (broadly in ability order) in Mathematics classes using information from the previous year. In Year 8 there are four classes in each year half for Mathematics and they are numbered 1-4. Group 1 is at the top of the ability spectrum and sets are split to allow smaller class sizes and therefore more dedicated support. One exception to this pattern is that groups 3 and 4 are of equal ability in y band; this enables students in Z4 to have a greater focus on mastering basic numeracy skills.

As an example, on a student’s timetable this will appear as 8z/Ma2. This is Year 8, z half, Maths, group 2.

(click here for subject information)

Students are grouped (broadly in ability order) in Science classes using information from the previous year. In Year 8 there are four classes in each year half for Science and they are numbered 1-4. Group 1 is at the top of the ability spectrum. Groups are split to allow smaller class sizes and therefore more dedicated support.

As an example, on a student’s timetable this will appear as 8z/Sc4. This is Year 8, z half, Science, group 4.

(click here for subject information)

In year 8 students continue to study their language pathway in mixed ability, language specific classes. In Year 8, there are four classes in each year half for Languages and they are numbered 1-4. Group 1 will be studying German, Group 2 will study Spanish and Groups 3 and 4 will study French.

As an example, on a student’s timetable this will appear as 8y/Ml3. This is Year 8, y half, Languages, group 3.

Classes in Geography, History and Religious Education are organised by their English class, so if your son/daughter is in group z4 for English, then they will also be in z4 for Geography, History and Religious Education.

As an example, on a student’s timetable this will appear as 8y/Gg3. This is Year 8, y half, Geography, group 3. (Hi for History and Re for Religious Education).

Classes in Art, Drama and Music are organised by their English class, so if your son/daughter is in group z1 for English, then they will also be in z1 for Art, Drama and Music.

On the student’s timetable this will appear as 8z/Mu1, for example. This is Year 8, z half, Music, group 1. (Ar for Art and Dr for Drama)

(click here for subject information)

Students are placed in mixed-ability groups and do a carousel of five Technology subjects throughout the year (Photography, Engineering, Electronics, CAD and Product Design). Within this carousel, each subject will be taught for three lessons a fortnight for six weeks. There are five groups in each year half, to allow for smaller classes for health and safety in workshops and kitchens. The subject carousel means that your son/daughter will change subjects (and probably teachers) in Technology and Food & Nutrition throughout the year.

On the student’s timetable this will appear as 8y/Te5, for example. This is Year 8, y half, Technology, group 5.

(click here for subject information)

Classes in Food & Nutrition are organised by their Technology class, so if your son/daughter is in group z2 for Technology then they will also be in z2 for Food & Nutrition. There are five groups in each year half, to alow for smaller classes for health and safety in the food room.

On the student’s timetable their class will appear as 8z/Fn2, for example. This is Year 8, z half, Food & Nutrition, group 2.

(click here for subject information)

Classes in Information Technology are organised by their Technology class, so if your son/daughter is in group Z1 for Technology, then they will also be in Z1 for ICT.

On the student’s timetable this will appear as 8z/It1, for example. This is Year 8, z half, Information Technology, group 1.

(click here for subject information)

Students are placed in ability selective, single-gender groups and do a variety of sports throughout the year. There are four groups in each year half. Groups 1 and 2 are Boys PE whilst groups 3 and 4 are Girls PE. Groups 1 and 3 are at the top of the ability spectrum.

On the student’s timetable this will appear as 8y/Pe2, for example. This is Year 8, y half, Physical Education, group 2. N.B. Groups 1-2 are boys and groups 3- 4 are girls.