ARTHUR MELLOWS VILLAGE COLLEGE

ARTHUR MELLOWS VILLAGE COLLEGE

Introduction We are lucky at Arthur Mellows to have a very supportive Parent Body and we are often asked by parents how they can help support their child in their learning at home. This guide has been produced to assist parents in supporting their child during their time in Year 7. Within it you will find information about each of the subjects your child will be studying this year, along with how they will be assessed. We have also tried to include details that may be useful in the form of recommended books, websites and visits. The following websites also offer lots of advice and support for parents about a wide range of topics related to secondary school. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/secondary_support http://familylives.org.uk/advice/education/secondary http://www.thesite.org/workandstudy http://www.dad.info/education/exams- and-homework/handling-homework-horrors We hope you find the guide useful. Should you have any queries relating to subject matters there are contact names on each subject page. Alternatively, you could contact the Head of Year 7.

Art

Topics During Year 7, students will work on 3 projects covering Still Life, Portraiture and Landscape. They will investigate the work of artists such as Cezanne and Matisse then use this work to inspire their own classwork. Additional Students are welcome to work independently in the Art Department at lunchtimes. Assessments Progress assessments take place throughout the year using the green stamp to indicate good work and what could be improved. Additional written summative assessments take place at the end of each topic where students analyse the strengths and potential improvements of their own work. Helpful Books/ Study Materials The Art Department and Library have an excellent selection of art books for students to read. Visits to galleries will aid students’ knowledge. Useful Websites

National Gallery www.nationalgallery.org.uk Saatchi Gallery www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk Artcyclopedia www.artcyclopedia.com Staff Contacts Ms Crawford Head of Art

Dance Topics Year 7 students cover different topics each half term, as follows:

Choreography; action words

Musicals Class choreography intro Class choreography Bollywood

Urban

Additional Year 7 students can attend a Dance club one lunchtime. See the Dance club timetable for this. The Dance studio, P6, is open every lunchtime for students to rehearse their practical work and get support with work. Assessments Students have a practical assessment every Half Term for which they are given a level regarding effort and attainment. All assessments are recorded on students’ assessment cards which are kept in their folders. Useful Websites www.zoonation.co.uk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18686742 Staff Contacts Miss Bugby Head of Dance Miss Munoz Teacher of Dance

Design and Technology

Topics

In Design and Technology, learning is based around directed project briefs where students are encouraged to be innovative, using inspiration around them to develop ideas. They will build up a range of skills and have the opportunity to work with a variety of materials, ingredients and specialist equipment to further understand the limitations and properties of each. Students will also look at the importance of design and invention and how as designers we have an impact on the world around us. Key areas of focus will be research, design, make and evaluate.

Year 7 Students study the following:

Resistant Materials - Spinning Top

Students design a wooden spinning top to introduce them to the design process. They will learn about different woods and wood joints whilst using a range of hand tools. Students will also consider health and safety elements focusing on; tools, machinery, safety in the workshop, hazards, risks, signs and symbols.

Textiles – Planner Cover

Students will experiment with a range of different textile techniques to add texture and colour to a variety of fabrics. Existing products will be researched and mood boards created to help design. Understanding of fabric construction and properties of fabrics will also be a focus. Students will be shown how to use the sewing machine and other specialist equipment before using the new skills to develop an imaginative and decorative planner cover.

Food – Basic Skills

Students will research existing products to enable them to design and make a range of dishes; some of these dishes will be developed to produce a superior product, which matches their specification. The students will make several bread based products as well as fruit salad and soup. The focus of making this variety of products is to develop practical skills and knowledge whilst demonstrating the safe, hygienic and correct use of a range of tools, equipment and processes.

Additional

For your awareness a letter will go home in October asking for a voluntary contributions towards project materials for Technology. This is by no means compulsory but any contribution that could be made would be greatly received.

There are a number of competitions available including the ICE Institution of Civil Engineers Schools Poster Competition and Design Museum Competition. There is more information available on the Design and Technology page of the College website.

Assessments

During each project a range of skills are assessed. These include researching the task and how this feeds into students own design work by developing ideas and making high quality, accurate products using a range of tools, equipment and processes. Other areas that are also assessed include the quality of presentation and finish, effort, planning and evaluation. National Curriculum levels are given at the end of each project to show student attainment. Students are expected to be working between levels 4 and 8 at Key Stage 3.

Students are expected to complete 30 minutes of Design and Technology homework each week. Alternatively, a longer task may be set and two weeks allowed for completion. Homework is set as an integral part of each project building on the learning outlined in the lessons. Homework will form part of the final assessed project mark.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials

KS3 Design and Technology Study Guide ISBN number 978-1841467207 Technology (Collins CDT) ISBN number 978-0003274349

Useful Websites

TechnologyStudent.com www.technologystudent.com/ Design and Technology www.design-technology.info/ How Stuff Works www.howstuffworks.com/ MR DT www.mr-dt.com/ DT Online www.dtonline.org/ Design and Tech.com www.designandtech.com/ GCSE Bitesize www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design Tech It Out UK www.techitoutuk.com/ Design Museum http://designmuseum.org/ Science Museum www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/ IET Faraday http://faraday.theiet.org/ Tomorrows Engineers www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/home.cfm Young Engineers www.youngeng.org/home.asp Bloodhound www.bloodhoundssc.com/ Smallpiece Trust www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/ Lego League http://firstlegoleague.org/ F1in Schools www.f1inschools.co.uk/ 4 x 4 in Schools www.4x4inschools.co.uk/ Green Power www.greenpower.co.uk/ Stem Team East www.stemteameast.org.uk/ Design and Technology Association www.digitaldandt.org/ Deign and Technology Show www.dteducation.co.uk/ Mac Show www.britishtechnetwork.com/category/mac Nuffield Foundation www.nuffieldfoundation.org/ National Stem Centre www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/ The Big Bang www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/home.cfm

Staff Contacts

Mrs Watson Head of Design and Technology Mr Bentley Second in Design and Technology

Drama Topics

Introduction to Drama and Dramatic Conventions (FOCUS: still image, thought tracking, narration, slow motion, unison, canon, soundscape, improvisation, facial expression, pitch, pace, pause, tone, volume and inflection).

Circus (FOCUS: characterisation and audience interaction). Darkwood Manor (FOCUS: improvisation and use of dramatic conventions). Objects to life (FOCUS: physical theatre, personification, posture, stance and facial

expression). David Calcutt’s The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty (FOCUS: page to stage). Evacuee (FOCUS: use of documentary genre). Additional Shakespeare Schools Festival: students will be informed of this through publicity in school messages communicated during form time. Whole School Production: students will be informed of this in form time, assemblies and posters around school. Theatre trip: rewards trip of students.

Assessments Practical performance assessments take place every Half Term and assess process/communication/teamwork skills, performance skills and evaluation/analytical skills. Levels are recorded in assessment booklets.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials Books:

McGuire, B., The Student Handbook for Drama: Ideal for Key Stages 3 and 4.

Calcutt, D., The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty.

Further study/extra-curricular

Key Youth Theatre

Open auditions at ‘The Cresset’

Wildcats Summer School

Seeing live theatre (we encourage students to go to the theatre when possible).

Useful Websites

Evacutaion: Episode 1 (CBBC) available on www.youtube.com

BBC Bitesize Drama www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/drama

National Theatre www.nationaltheatre.org.uk Staff Contacts Miss Clennett Head of Drama Mrs McKeogh Teacher of Drama Mr Henderson Teacher of Drama, English and Media

English Topics Students in Year 7 will study the following units:

Myths and Legends

Shakespeare ‘The Tempest’

Private Peaceful; set reading exploring bravery and cowardice

Titanic; considering how news is reported

Writing skills; exploring non-fiction writing

Poetry; reading a range of poetry from different popular, modern poets.

Assessments We use a process called Assessing Pupil Progress (APP). APP comprises of structured periodic assessments which allow student progress to be monitored against National Curriculum levels. Teachers can then identify what students are good at and where they need support in order to create individual targets for development. Assessment Focuses (AF’s) are also set which are directed at skills essential for achievement when reading and writing. On a weekly basis, students will be set tasks which focus on developing one or 2 specific skills, such as vocabulary or punctuation. Each student receives green stamps in their English books advising them how to improve. On a Half Termly basis, students will receive more formal tasks which will be marked against several criteria. This ensures overall learning is taking place and allows targets to be set for development in the following Half Term. Please take the time to discuss with your child the feedback given and look at the levels recorded in their books after each Half Term assessment. The assessment grades from each Half Term task will be collated and an overall level will be given to each student at the end of the year. This will help each student progress into their next academic year and identify achievements. Writing criteria encompasses: AF1: Write imaginative, interesting and thoughtful texts AF2: Produce texts which are appropriate to task, reader and purpose AF3: Organise and present whole texts effectively AF4: Construct paragraphs. Use cohesion within and between paragraphs AF5: Vary sentences for clarity, purpose and effect AF6: Write with technical accuracy of syntax and punctuation AF7: Select appropriate and effective vocabulary AF8: Use the correct spelling.

Reading criteria encompasses: AF2: Understand, describe, select or retrieve information, events or ideas from a text Use quotations and refer to the text in your written work AF3: Deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts AF4: Identify and comment on the structure and organisation of texts Identify and comments on grammatical and presentational features of texts AF5: Explain and comment on the writers’ use of language AF6: Identify and comment on writers’ purposes and viewpoints Comment on the overall effect of the text on the reader AF7: Relate texts to their social, cultural and historical traditions. Helpful Books/ Study Materials Please encourage your child to read as many different types of literature as possible; newspapers, books, graphic novels, poetry and auto biographies all help! You could inspire writing tasks such as short stories about weekends or holidays and poems about the family! Useful Websites

BBC www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise Staff Contacts Primarily, your child’s English teacher is the best person to contact. They will be able to provide you with your child’s target grade, current level of progress and any specific targets given. Miss K Lewis Head of English Miss L Betts Key Stage 3 Coordinator for English

Geography

Topics

Students in Year 7 will study the following topics:

UK physical and human maps; looking at local and national Geography Weather and climate; global, national and local conditions. Microclimates will be

investigated and global warming studied Map skills; students will learn skills to map read and look at OS maps Rivers; global, national and local river systems and their physical processes and

features. Glaciation; looking at cold environments which are completely different to

Peterborough’s.

Additional

Students are welcome to attend H11 (next to the Auditorium) on a Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday where they can complete homework, carry out extra research or Geography reading.

Selected pupils are invited to a Humanities Gifted and Talented club after College on a Tuesday.

Assessments

Each of the topics will be followed by an assessment, the first of which takes place within the first 2 weeks of the Autumn Term. All of the assessments are based on skills and knowledge needed as building blocks for GCSE. The end of year exam will be based on the UK maps, map skills, weather and climate and glaciation topics as a summary of

their progress for the year.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials

We would ask you to encourage your child to read any Key Stage 3 Geography revision guide.

Study materials are available on the College intranet and the College portal.

Regularly watching and researching the weather, listening out for climate change details in the news and practising map skills are all activities that can be done at home. Students could also visit the River Nene and discuss the various features. Useful Websites BBC Bitesize KS3 website

Staff Contacts Ms Veale Head of Geography

History

Topics

During Year 7, students will study the following units:

Local study

Pre 1066 study

Why were there 3 Kings in 1066?

How did William take control of the Country?

How did castles change the face of Britain?

Why was there blood on the cathedral floor?

What was the impact of the Black Death?

What was it like to live in ‘Dark Age’ Britain?

Additional

There is a lunchtime homework club in H5 staffed by the Humanities Team on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s.

Selected students are invited to a Humanities Gifted and Talented club after school on a Tuesday.

Assessments

All assessments are based on the National Curriculum level descriptors. They are designed to test skills including chronological understanding, change and continuity, cause and consequence, significance, interpretations, historical enquiry, using evidence and communicating the past. There are 4 monitoring point assessments in November, January, March and June.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials

Reading any history book will help students progress, many books are available from the College Library. We would recommend Horrible Histories, Eyewitness books, Anne Frank’s Diary and the My Story series.

Discuss sources of evidence with your child and ask questions – who made it, when, why and how reliable/typical is the source? Encourage them to use P.E.E.L skills; Point (what they are trying to say), Evidence (specifically supporting their point), Explain (how reliable is the evidence in supporting their point) and Link (explain how the evidence links with the question directly).

Useful Websites

BBC www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids Spartacus www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk

Staff Contacts

Primarily, your child’s History teacher is the best person to contact. Mrs K Price Head of History

Information and Communication Technology Topics Year 7 students study the following topics:

Half Term 1 Students will consider internet safety and cyber bullying.

Half Term 2 Students look at sequencing instructions and flowcharts to represent the sequence of instructions and decisions.

Half Term 3 ‘Extreme Sports’; students look at financial modelling and marketing by using Excel. They learn cell references, formulae and charts.

Half Term 4 Computer Basics; Students learn about the inside of a computer and how computers function.

Half Term 5 Students will consider the potential of Scratch software and will reflect on aspects of game design.

Half Term 6 Students will look at making an interactive adventure story using PowerPoint.

Assessments The following assessments will take place:

October – Creation of Movie Maker movie to show understanding of internet safety.

December – Scenario for sequencing of instructions.

February – Spreadsheet test.

April – Retro Arcade game created in Scratch.

June – Interactive story created in PowerPoint.

Useful Websites

Teach ICT www.teach-ict.com Offers tutorials, quizzes and resources BBC www.bbc.co.uk/technology Topical IT news from around the world. Staff Contacts Mr I Dignall Head of ICT Mrs M Richards Second in ICT

Maths Topics

Year 7 students study the following topics:

Half Term 1 Arithmetic, perimeter, area, sequences and using a calculator

Half Term 2 Averages, range, fractions, decimals, percentages, angles and algebra

Half Term 3 Coordinates, graphs, calculations, decimals and numbers

Half Term 4 Handling data, probability, 2D shapes, percentages, proportion, and ratio

Half Term 5 Negative numbers, algebra, transformations, number and probability

Half Term 6 Data, graphs, number, algebra, shape, space, measures and applying Maths.

Students should have a pen, pencil, ruler, scientific calculator, compass and protractor.

Additional

Students can participate in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) events. UKMT promote national mathematics competitions and other mathematical enrichment activities for 11-18 year olds.

Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Challenge is run by Mr Treacy. Details of this will be given

out in Maths lessons.

Gifted and Talented students can attend a Maths club, details of this will be given out in

Maths lessons.

Assessments

Students sit an assessment each Half Term based on the topics covered up to that point. Assessments include both calculator and non-calculator tests and are normally at the end of each half term.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials

CGP Key Stage 3 workbooks Mathswatch CD

We would ask you to encourage revision and completion of homework, with working out shown. Testing Maths skills in practical situations can also help, for example estimating lengths, costs, totalling bills, calculating sale reductions or even brain training on computers!

Useful Websites

MyMaths www.mymaths.co.uk Login: amvc Password: factor BBC Bitesize www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/maths

Homework is set via the College portal.

Staff Contacts

Miss Marshall Head of Mathematics Mrs Bailey Second in Mathematics and Key Stage 4 Coordinator Mr Deplanke Year 7/8 Coordinator

Modern Foreign Languages - French

Topics Year 7 students study the following topics:

Term 1 Meeting and greeting people, the alphabet, numbers, age and birthdays, a school bag, classroom objects, colours, family and pets, likes and dislikes

Term 2 Free time activities, sport, the use of technology, school, daily routine and food

Term 3 Town, local area and holidays

Listening, reading, speaking, writing and grammar skills are developed throughout Key Stage 3. Additional Gifted and Talented students may be offered the opportunity to study additional languages after College. Assessments Students listening, reading, speaking and writing skills are continuously assessed and marks are recorded at the back of their exercise books. There are frequent vocabulary tests throughout the year with more formal speaking and writing assessments carried out each Term. Term 3 concludes with a formal End of Year exam in writing, listening and reading. Helpful Books/ Study Materials Year 7 students use a range of resources including the Accès Studio, Studio 1 and Expo 1 book during lessons. Please encourage your child to revise the vocabulary worksheets given and test them in preparation for the regular tests at College. Useful Websites Linguascope www.linguascope.com (request username/password from teacher) Staff Contacts Mrs Cowell Head of Modern Foreign Languages Mrs Yates Second in Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Languages - German

Topics Year 7 students study the following topics:

Term 1 Meeting and greeting people, the alphabet, numbers, age and birthdays, a school bag, classroom objects, colours, family and pets, likes and dislikes

Term 2 Free time activities, sport, the use of technology, school, daily routine and food

Term 3 Town, local area and holidays

Listening, reading, speaking, writing and grammar skills are developed throughout Key Stage 3. Additional Gifted and Talented students may be offered the opportunity to study additional languages after College.

Assessments Students listening, reading, speaking and writing skills are continuously assessed and marks are recorded at the back of their exercise books. There are frequent vocabulary tests throughout the year with more formal speaking and writing assessments carried out each Term. Term 3 concludes with a formal End of Year exam in writing, listening and reading.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials Year 7 students use a range of resources including the Stimmt 1 book and Echo 1 book during lessons. Please encourage your child to revise the vocabulary worksheets given and test them. Useful Websites Linguascope www.linguascope.com (request username/password from teacher) Staff Contacts Mrs Cowell Head of Modern Foreign Languages Mrs Yates Second in Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Languages - Spanish Topics Year 7 students study the following topics:

Term 1 Self, friends, freetime

Term 2 School, family and friends

Term 3 Where you live, holidays.

Each topic will include cultural information relating to Spain and South America. Listening, reading, speaking, writing and grammar skills are developed throughout Key Stage 3. Additional Gifted and Talented students may be offered the opportunity to study additional languages after College. There will be the opportunity for students to link with pupils from a school in Spain. Assessments Students listening, reading, speaking and writing skills are continuously assessed and marks are recorded at the back of their exercise books. There are frequent vocabulary tests throughout the year with more formal speaking and writing assessments carried out each Term. Term 3 concludes with a formal End of Year exam in writing, listening and reading. Helpful Books/ Study Materials Year 7 students use the Viva 1 book during lessons. Please encourage your child to revise the vocabulary worksheets given and test them in preparation for the regular tests at College.

Useful Websites Linguascope www.linguascope.com (request username/password from teacher) Staff Contacts Mrs Cowell Head of Modern Foreign Languages Mrs Yates Second in Modern Foreign Languages

Music

Topics

Students in Year 7 study the following topics:

Rhythmic Fundamentals; introduction to skills including keeping in time, reading notation and working in a group to create a performance. Based on African Music and using percussion instruments.

Pitch Fundamentals; reading pitched notation and performing pieces to reinforce learning. Students learn what makes a good melody, how to compose, keyboard techniques and then compose a piece of music in pairs.

Instrumental technique; students will learn basic skills on both ukulele and drum kit to aid their composition and performance assessment.

Minimalism; students will learn about this modern musical technique, based on simple repeating patterns, and composers such as Philip Glass. They will compose a piece of music in this style and are encouraged to use a variety of instruments

Choir of the Year; each Year 7 music class becomes a choir and competes against each other by performing a song of their choice. Singing and performance techniques are taught.

Additional

Students are welcome to attend the Music Department during lunchtime if they wish to develop their Music work.

Lessons are available on most instruments if students are interested.

Assessments

Students are assessed in 3 key areas of the Music curriculum, namely Performance, Composition and Appraisal. There are at least 2 assessments for each of the 3 key areas throughout the year. At the end of the year, one overall level will be given based on the assessment results from each of the 3 areas.

The Rhythmic Fundamentals assessment includes observations and recordings to evaluate skills in keeping time and reading staff notation. Students will also produce an assessed evaluation of their progress. The Pitch Fundamentals assessment looks at the performance of the composed piece. The Minimalism assessment is based on the created composition and expects students to notate their repeating patterns as well as perform. The Choir of the Year assessment incorporates aspects of singing, performance and a student self evaluation.

Helpful Books/ Study Materials

Practising keyboard techniques at home would assist development in Year 7 Music. Staff Contacts Mrs T Hammond Head of Music

Physical Education Topics Activities are covered on a rotation basis throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms. Year 7 students follow the Key Stage 3 Schemes of Work which cover:

Outwitting skills through games including Netball, Handball, Football, Rugby, Hockey and Basketball

Gymnastics; both floor and apparatus work

Health and fitness; an induction to the fitness suite and circuit work which leads to a basic understanding of heart rate together with the importance of warming up and cooling down correctly

Athletics incorporating track, throws and jumps Swimming Striking and fielding games; Cricket and Rounders. Leadership opportunities will also be made available throughout the year to help students develop their knowledge of the rules governing sport. Additional Watching and taking part in sport after College and outside of College is encouraged. The Arthur Mellows website is updated as often as possible with details of extra-curricular clubs and fixtures. Please visit the Curriculum page and navigate to the Extra Curricular Activities option. A Kick Start Club offering sensory circuit sessions is delivered each morning, by invitation only.

Assessments Assessments are at the end of each activity. Students are assessed with both a practical assessment and written test based on the module they have just completed. Grades range from level 3 to 8. At the end of Key Stage 3, the Government expects Year 7 students to be achieving a grade 4 or above.

Useful Websites Peterborough School Sport Partnership www.peterboroughssp.co.uk Staff Contacts Mr D Low Head of PE Department Ms L McPartlin Assistant Head of PE

Religious Education Topics Students in Year 7 study Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They gain knowledge and understanding of these religions through various topics including worship, writings, places and the community. Views and opinions are considered whilst skills in reflecting and investigating are developed. Additional There is a lunchtime Homework club in H11 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday lunchtime. Selected students are invited to a Humanities Gifted and Talented club after school on Tuesday. Assessments Students are assessed on a monthly basis throughout the year. The 3 main termly assessments are:

Torah and Tenakh in October

Jesus’ life and death in March

End of year exam in June Helpful Books/ Study Materials Discovering Religion by Sue Penney, books are available for Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Skills in Religious Studies book 1, 2 and 3 by S C Mercier. Useful Websites BBC www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion RE online www.reonline.org.uk/ks3/indexx.php The student intranet contains an interactive RE computer programme along with revision materials. Staff Contacts Mrs G Ellis Head of RE Mr S Ahmed Head of RE

Topics

Students in Year 7 follow the Science Progress scheme of study based on the National Curriculum programmes of study. It is designed to promote scientific enquiry, stimulate curiosity in the world and develop an understanding of how Science works. This challenging course covers 12 topics, 4 each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It will engage students in a variety of practical work, written projects and research tasks, using a variety of resources all fully supported by help sheets, extension exercises and content summaries. Students are assessed and tested regularly to provide a detailed record of their progress.

Topics covered in Year 7 are:

Autumn/Spring Terms

Cells and tissues (biology 1) - using a microscope, the differences between animal and plant cells, specialised cells and simple and complex organisms.

Reproduction (biology 2):

Animal – male and female reproductive systems, puberty, the menstrual cycle, sex and reproduction, fertilisation, embryo growth, smoking and alcohol during pregnancy and birth and IVF treatment. Plant – flowers, pollination, seed and fruit formation and seed dispersal.

Particles (chemistry 1) – solids, liquids and gases, particle theory, changes of state, diffusion, gas pressure and density.

Atoms and elements (chemistry 2) – arrangements of atoms, atomic structure, subatomic particles, elements, Periodic Table and physical properties of elements.

Energy transfers (physics 1) – energy stores, heat transfer and the thermal store of energy, the gravitational store of energy and work done, energy from fuels and energy and power.

Forces and effects (physics 2) – force interactions, effect of forces on shape, balanced and unbalanced forces and friction forces.

Spring/Summer Terms

Environment and adaptation (biology 3) – organisms and their habitats, food chains and webs, competition and cooperation, human effects on the environment and sampling techniques.

Variation and classification (biology 4) – the variety of life, variation in living things, genetic variation and environmental variation. Acids and alkalis (chemistry 3) – everyday acids and alkalis, indicators and the pH scale, dilution and safety, neutralisation.

Pure and impure substances (chemistry 4) – testing purity and mixtures, dissolving and solutions, factors affecting solubility, separating mixtures and separation methods.

Electricity (physics 3) – electric current and potential difference, series and parallel circuits, resistance and resistance calculations.

Energy resources (physics 4) – energy from the Sun, energy from fossil fuels, energy from moving water and other renewable resources.

Useful Websites to support learning/revision

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/ http://www.docbrown.info/ks3science.htm http://inteleducationresources.intel.co.uk/keystage3.aspx?id=80 http://www.ntscience.co.uk/powerpoint/index.html

Books/study materials to support learning/revision A revision guide will be available at a reduced price to purchase through the school or through Amazon/local retailers. This will be either the Collins KS3 science All-in-One Revision and Practice (ISBN number 978-0-00-756283-1) or the CGP KS3 science Complete Study and Practice (ISBN number 978-1-84146-385-8).

Year 7 Science Progress 1 textbook ISBN number: 978-1-4718-0142-6 Assessments – how and when?

Every two topics there is a test with questions set to enable students to reach their target levels. In the summer term students sit an exam based on their learning throughout the year. Also in the summer term students may carry out an extended project, which covers research, experiment planning, practical work, data analysis and evaluation skills.

Material available on the AMVC Portal

All textbook pages are available for students to access using their Dynamic Learning login. Other materials to help with revision are available on the AMVC Portal.

Ideas to help at home

Encourage your child to read any newspaper/magazine articles on science.

Encourage them to watch any programmes on television about science.

Practice physics formulae with them and make sure they understand how to use them.

Practice writing out chemical equations.

Encourage use of revision websites.

Homework clubs/lunchtimes sessions

Additional help from individual teachers as needed.

Staff Contacts Mr R Watson Head of Science Dr L Edwards Key Stage 3 Coordinator Students Teachers