Curriculum Information for Year 9

Note: If you are not sure who your learner's teacher is for certain subjects or what option subjects your learner is studying then please contact your learner's form tutor for more information.

Maths (Daniel Stephen):

The term begins with a focus on number skills, including working with powers and roots, as well as applying these to scientific notation and real-world contexts. Algebra becomes more challenging, with learners solving more complex equations, working with inequalities, and exploring quadratic expressions. Geometry lessons build on prior knowledge by introducing the properties of 3D shapes, including volume and surface area, while continuing to develop skills in angle reasoning. The term concludes with an exploration of probability, teaching learners to calculate and interpret probabilities in context.
 

English: (Teachers: Adler - Mrs Margarita, Orwell - Miss McGhee, Mozart - Mr Sullivan):

This term, learners will be developing their descriptive and creative writing skills. We will revise aspects of grammar and punctuation, but the focus in this unit will be to broaden vocabulary and utilise language devices to build tension and create specific effects. Learners will use example extracts as a guide to expectations and work towards forming a detailed descriptive piece using images as stimuli and finally on a narrative piece. This will be similar in style to the writing tasks in year 10 and therefore will offer learners the opportunity to become familiar with the framework of these units.

Science: (Jenny McCran, Rhia Chagger, Yair Doza):

This term, we will start with investigating genetics and plant growth within biology. We will experiment in chemistry with making new materials and in physics we will try to understand the concepts of force fields.

PSHE (Dr Heathcote): 

In PSHE, we will start by learning about how we can live and grow in the wider world. We shall cover subjects such as alcohol awareness, self-confidence, and managing anxiety. Future lessons will look at protecting ourselves and others from discrimination and how to cope and avoid stress. 

​

History:

In History this term, we will start by finding out how the Suffragettes fought for voting rights and equality during the early 20th century. We will then go on to examine the causes of the outbreak of the First World War. After half term, we will be finding out about some of the experiences faced by soldiers during the Great War, how the war came to an end and about the peace settlement that followed.

PE:

This term, learners will build their knowledge around invasion sports. They will be taking part in basketball, football, netball, benchball and handball. Within these sessions learners will develop their fundamental skills such as passing, moving, tactical awareness, shooting and throwing. These skills will be shown through tailored drills and match play with the aim of learners using these different skills and tactics to outwit their opponents. 
 

​

Option Subjects.

​

Year 9 History GCSE Option:

In History this term, we will be looking at crime, punishment, law enforcement and different aspects of society in different periods of history from Anglo-Saxon, Norman, Medieval England and early modern England (c.1000 to c1700) in order to investigate change, continuity and to make comparisons.
 

Creative Digital Media: 

Learners will develop skills in creating digital publications such as posters for events, music, games or films. They will use digital cameras to take images and software such as Photoshop to edit.
 

Art: 

Throughout this term learners are producing a pop art project. They will be examining the repeats by Andy Warhol and creating their own versions both drawn and printed. They will then examine the food sculptures by Claus Oldenberg and will create a plaster ice cream, a 3D paper mache cake and then a food sculpture of their choice.  
 

BTEC Music: 

Throughout this term, we will be doing some general musical knowledge and skills development on which we can build the detail for this qualification. This will include some basic theory work, instruments of the orchestra, structures in music, composition techniques and a working understanding of Logic Pro X, our music software. This will enable us to start the units for the course in the new year. 
 

Drama:

Within drama lessons this term, learners will take on a main part in this year's Christmas pantomime Alice in Wonderland. They will contribute to directorial ideas and production decisions as well as providing role model behaviour and showcase performance skills for the younger learners to aspire to. 

BTEC Sport: 

Learners will begin their unit 6 assignment in which we will be looking at sports leadership. Learners will write about two chosen sports leaders and justify their choice of why their chosen person is a successful leader. Learners will also be demonstrating their own leadership skills as they will plan, lead and review a session of their chosen sport to deliver to peers or younger learners. 
 

Computer Science:

In this first term we will be easing into coding using the Python language. We will learn how to display information, get values from the end user, or from calculations. We will use logic to determine what should happen next in a given scenario in our code. These are the basics of coding and will provide a solid foundation for subsequent terms.

​

Design Technology:

Polymers - Learners begin with a mini project learning how to design a 2D net to create a 3D shape, in this case a letter from their name. They create a prototype before making the final piece and decorate it however they like. They will then continue to learn about and explore the design process by designing, planning and making a phone stand or a book holder to be made out of acrylic. They will learn about the interactive design cycle, the properties and origins of polymers and the importance of creating prototypes. Learners will also learn how to use hand tools safely in the workshop to create their phone or book holder.

Mandarin:

Given that the learners who choose Mandarin as an option demonstrate different language skills and levels, we are building a common ground before we move forward. Specifically, we will review numbers, and apply numbers in the context of time-telling, birthdays, and days of the week. Meanwhile, we will be learning some common expressions related to daily routine and the basic sentence patterns that involve time and activities.
 

Psychology:

We will begin this term by focusing on the theories and perspectives in psychology.
We will then learn about the area of ‘Social Influence.’ Next, we will look at Milgram’s theory on obedience and his concept of the agentic state. We will cover other theories on both obedience and conformity, looking at psychological research that has supported these ideas. The learners will also learn about psychological research methods throughout the term.

Food Technology:

This half term we will concentrate on making basic dishes including; jam tarts,sausage rolls, meatballs and spaghetti, pizza and muffins.  The learners will make these dishes from scratch and will make their own pastry and pizza bases. Next half term, we will be looking at basic cooking skills with an emphasis on washing up, clearing their work area and drying up once they have finished.