Year 7 - 2018-2019 (New Intake)

• There will be six mixed ability classes and a smaller transition class based upon the Key Stage 2 SAT results, performance in the baseline tests completed as part of the induction process and information gained from the induction process;
• We believe that mixed ability classes will have a positive effect on the attitudes, aspirations and self-esteem of all pupils regardless of their ability level;
• The six mixed ability classes will be very similar to the Form Tutor groups and will enable Form Tutors to track the progress of students in their form;
• With the exception of the Transition class, there will be setting in English and Maths;
• Most students will study German.
• The Transition class will have more support in English and Maths instead of a Modern Foreign language. 

Detailed Subject and Curriculum Information

Year 8 - 2018-2019

• There will continue to be six mixed ability classes with one group being a slightly smaller transition class based upon the Key Stage 2 SAT results, performance in the baseline tests completed as part of the performance during Year 7.
• The six mixed ability classes will be very similar to the Form Tutor groups and will enable Form Tutors to track the progress of students in their form;
• There will be setting across the year in English and Maths.
• Students identified as having a reading age below their chronological reading age will be offered English support and catch up sessions instead of a Modern Foreign language. These will take place during the school day.

Detailed Curriculum and Subject Information

At a recent parent/carer information evening, Mr O'Brien explained some of the ways in which parents/carers can help support their child's reading so that children learn to enjoy reading, and at the same time enhance every other aspect of their learning. Here is some of the information which parents/carers were given at the meeting. 

This information should help you bring your child along on their reading journey. If you have any further questions about how best to support your child's reading, please contact Mr O'Brien or Mrs Lloyd Williams.

10 Tips to Support Your Child's Reading:

1. Monitor what is being read and how much time a day your child is reading. 
2. Talk about books with them and what is good to read. 
3. Provide a good reading environment at home and schedule at least 20 mins a day for your child to read. 
4. Be seen to read yourself. That will help encourage reading. 
5. Have a range of different types of things to read in your house e.g. magazines, newspapers, books.
6. Encourage any sort of reading, even if it is not what could be classed as great writing. Magazines and comics are a start! 
7. Take advantage of films made of books. If they have watched the film, get them the book to read. 
8. Join a local library.
9. Get your child to recommend books to someone else. 
10. Hear your child read and read to them.
    

Use the following checklist for each piece of written work:

Audience Purpose Form

1. Who is my intended reader? Is the language I am using appropriate for this reader?
2. What is the purpose (reason for writing)? Does the language I have used meet the purpose of the writing?
3. Have I used the appropriate form or layout (e.g. letter)?

Punctuation, Punctuation, Punctuation! . , ! ? “ : ; () -

1. Do all sentences start with a capital letter?
2. Do all sentences end with a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark?
3. Do all the names of people, places and titles have capital letters?
4. Do all other words have lower- case letters?
5. Have I read my work out loud and put in full stops or semi-colons where needed, instead of commas?
6. Have I used apostrophes for omission (e.g. hasn’t) and possession (e.g. William Hulme’s Grammar School)?
7. Have I used quotation or speech marks when I have copied out someone else’s words?

Organization and Paragraphing

1. Have I included a date and title?
2. Have I used headings and subheadings where I need them to organize my writing?
3. Have I numbered my answers neatly in the margin where I need to?
4. Have I organized my writing into paragraphs where I need to?
5. Have I used connectives to link sentences and paragraphs?
6. Does my work have a suitable introduction and conclusion?
7. Have I read my work out loud to make sure a reader can follow my ideas?

Vocabulary

1. Have I used the most accurate, or the most adventurous, words I can?
2. Have I looked up spellings I am unsure about?