SUBJECT CONTENT OVERVIEW
YEAR 8
(REVISED JANUARY 2016)
In English, Maths, Science, French, Geography, History and Religious Studies, the
expectation is that most pupils will follow a course of study to prepare them for the ISEB
Common Entrance 13+ Examinations in June. Thereafter, a Leavers' Experience
programme takes the place of much of the normal timetable.
ENGLISH
AUTUMN TERM
Close Analysis of a Set Text, Biography & Autobiography, Journalistic writing.
SPRING TERM
War Poetry, Writing to Explain, Inform, Advise, Imaginative and Descriptive Writing, Essay Writing.
SUMMER TERM
Preparation for C.E./School examinations: Biography/Autobiography, Personal Writing, Essay Writing,
Close Study of a Set Text, Poetry.
No change to topics, texts may change but that is indicated in medium and short term planning.
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MATHEMATICS
AUTUMN TERM
Proportion: Express amount as proportion of another, express as fraction/decimal/percentage, find new
quantities & unit values, value for money
Percentages: Expressing one number as a percentage of another, finding percentages of amounts,
percentage changes, inverse percentage changes
Graphs: Substitute numbers into y=mx+c, plot straight line graphs therefrom, identifying x=k or y=k graphs
Transformation: Enlargement on a grid
Geometry: Angles and polygons / parallel lines. Bearings and scale drawings, construction using compass,
ruler and protractor
SPRING TERM
Number: Calculator practice inc compound fractions & estimating answers
Fractions: Fractions of amounts, express one number as fraction of another, word problems
Algebra: Meanings of terms, simplifying, expansion of brackets, factorising, solving equations
with/without brackets/fractions and with x2 terms, substitution, formulae, use of algebra to solve problems,
sequences inc generation from pictures, finding terms, finding a rule
Data Handling: Averages from frequency tables/diagrams, scatter graphs
SUMMER TERM
Topics which require revision in light of Mock Exam performances will be covered as required. Some will
be done as grouped work and others individually.
Post examination activities such as investigations and puzzles.
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BIOLOGY
AUTUMN TERM
Variation, Classification and Inheritance. Living things in their environment.
SPRING TERM
Life processes and cell activity, Humans as organisms, green plants as organisms, variation, classification,
inheritance and habitats.
SUMMER TERM
Revision and Exam Practice.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCE
AUTUMN TERM
Chemistry: Detailed Chemistry on CE syllabus – Heating metals and non-metals: Heating Compounds:
Reactions of Acids with Metals, Oxides and Carbonates. Tests for gases. Separation Methods etc
SPRING TERM
Physics: Electricity and Magnetism. Forces and Motion, Rotation, Pressure. Energy, Light and Sound.
Astronomy.
SUMMER TERM
Pupil motivated revision and final exam practice.
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FRENCH
AUTUMN TERM
Jobs or Professions. School day and subjects – giving opinions. Comparisons – more than, less than. The
school year and school holidays. Bureau de change. Using Qui (who, which) in the middle of a sentence.
Buying presents/souvenirs. Developing listening skills. Development of written compositions. Exam
preparations.
SPRING TERM
Parts of Body – ailments. (Headache, sore arm etc.). Avoir expressions – to be hot etc. Visits to
Doctor/Chemist. Perfect Tense/ Ordering meals in restaurants. Buying snacks/drinks at Café. Revision and
preparation for C.E.including oral role-plays and monologues.
SUMMER TERM
C.E. Revision.
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HISTORY
AUTUMN TERM
1st and 3rd Crusades; Role of the church; Revision and Extension of Norman Control;. Evidence
Questions.
SPRING TERM
Revision of CE topics covered in Year7 and 8. Evidence Questions; King John and the Magna Carta; the
Black Death; Peasant’s Revolt; Henry V and Agincourt; Richard III.
SUMMER TERM
Revision of C.E. Topics.
Independent research projects.
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GEOGRAPHY
AUTUMN TERM
WEATHERING AND EROSION, types of rock, rock cycle, recap types of river erosion. Causes of river
and coastal flooding. Interpret hydrographs.
(Field Trip Carding Mill Valley)Year 8 River Study Project.
COASTS Waves, processes of erosion/ wave refraction / erosional landforms: bays/ headlands/ caves/
arches/ stacks. Longshore drift (transportation).
Landslides - types/ causes/ effects/ prevention (Holbeck Hall).
Depositional landforms - beaches, spits, tombolos, bars.
Coastal Protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL (MOCKS).
Case study of Pembrokeshire National Park – Location/ attractions, conflicts/sustainable development.
SPRING TERM
Revision of CE topics-Map reading
SETTLEMENTS
ECONOMIC Field trip to the slate mine/ power station in Snowdonia.
TECTONIC PROCESSES
Globalisation-textiles (Nike Case study)/ pottery.
Slate mine study (Field trip to Llechwedd slate mine).
HEP station study (Field trip to Dinorwig power station).
GLACIATION (Field trip-mountain walk around Cwm Idwal in Snowdonia) Processes/ landforms.
SUMMER TERM
Revision of CE topics
Tropical rainforests – sustainable development.
Geology Trip to Wenlock Edge. Rock types.
(Greenhouse effect, Ozone layer, Energy, population, transport).
REVISION PROGRAMME FOR C.E. Past Papers/tests. Extension of previous topics.
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MUSIC
AUTUMN TERM
Samba Batucada – identify instruments, structures and textures in a variety of pieces of Brazilian
percussion ensemble music. Perform within a group, maintaining individual part. Improvise 4- or 8-bar
rhythmic phrases. Compose a piece for percussion ensemble incorporating features associated with Samba
Batacuda.
SPRING TERM
6/8 and compound time: revising pulse and rhythm. Simple and compound time. Listening to and
performing. Celtic music.
SUMMER TERM
Rondos and recurring structures: Listening to, analysing, performing and composing using a rondo
structure. Understanding and recognising the carillon. Jazz music – improvisation, playing a solo and
accompanying role. Singing in unison and in 2 parts----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RS
AUTUMN TERM
Revision of key Old Testament passages (The Creation, The Fall, Cain & Abel, Stewardship, The near
Sacrifice, The 10 Commandments, David & Bathsheba, Elijah, Amos, David & Jonathan, Solomon’s
Wisdom) and identification of key issues arising, through discussion and drama. Comparative religions.
SPRING TERM
Revision of key New Testament passages (The Temptations, Jesus & Outcasts, The Rich Young Man, The
Paralysed Man, Jesus heals a crippled woman, Ceasarea Philippi, The Request of James & John, The Good
Samaritan, The Sermon on the Plain, The Crucifixion & Resurrection). These issues will be related
increasingly to key aspects of human nature and stories currently in the News.
Exam Technique and specimen questions.
SUMMER TERM
Revision of people of faith in recent times, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Oscar Romero, Desmond
Tutu etc.
Overview of the whole C.E. syllabus. Basic aspects of exam technique.
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ART
The students will take on a personal area of study and work to producing a portfolio worthy of a
scholarship interview. This will include charcoal, oil-pastel, chalk-pastel and pencil drawings at the very
least. Mixed media, printmaking and paintings should also be included at the highest level.
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DT
Area of personal study.
Students will concentrate their design skills on producing a major piece for use in the pre-prep or main
school as well as developing a wide range of work on a personal level should they be taking a scholarship.
Technical drawing at a higher level will be introduced in this project.
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ICT
Following changes to recommended programmes of study, this section is currently under review.
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GAMES
AUTUMN TERM
BOYS
Football: 11 – a – side game.
Skills developed – turns, step-overs, Developed team tactics and strategies. Attacking and defending as a
team. Possession work and closing down. Self analysis, reciprocal teaching, ICT use for refereeing and
coaching.
GIRLS
Hockey: 7-a-side. Positions and formations. Defence/Attack tactics and strategies.
Set plays. Skill development differentiated to suit pupils. Role of the Goalkeeper. Rules/laws of game.
Umpiring and coaching of others. Game and self analysis.
SPRING TERM
BOYS
Rugby: 15 – a – side game developed.
8 man scrum. 8 man lineout. Development of skills. Overall analysis of performances and self evaluation.
Refereeing/laws/coaching.
GIRLS
Netball: 7-a-side. Skills developed to increase pace of play. Tactics & strategies developed. Rules/set plays
progressed. Knowledge of positional responsibilities progressed. Umpiring and coaching of others. Game
and self analysis.
SUMMER TERM
BOYS
Cricket: Bowling – attack and defence. Fielding – wicket keeping – standing up and how to move in a
game. Overs matches/declaration games/competitions/ tournaments/tours (where possible). Self-analysis
and evaluation. Umpiring and coaching.
GIRLS
Rounders: 9-a-side. Batting – technique, power, placement of ball, running decisions. Bowling –
consistency developed. Speed increased. Back stop and other fielding. Tactics developed. Umpiring and
coaching of others. Game and self analysis.
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PE
AUTUMN TERM
Hockey: Passing & control, team formations and set plays. Dribbling, tackling, shooting. Rules & tactics
Gym: Rolls, travels, vaults.
HRF 4 s’s, strength, stamina, speed and suppleness, SAQ, Heart rate, healthy living, recovery rate.
SPRING TERM
Badminton: Footwork. Rules and tactics. Serve. Smash. Drop. Basic strokes.
Basketball: Passing & moving. Dribbling & marking. Defending; Man – man. zonal. Rules & tactics.
SUMMER TERM
Athletics: Sprints. Longer distance. Long/Triple jumps. Shot putt, discus, javelin, hurdles, relay.
Swimming: Basic strokes. Water safety. Competition rules.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------The topics shown above constitute the outline of the curriculum which is intended to be taught in every
subject on a term by term basis. It should be noted that depending on the ability of each group of pupils, not
all of the above information may be covered and additional areas of study may be added if appropriate.
This will be at the discretion of the individual subject teachers in conjunction with their Heads of
Departments.
M Byrom
Director of Studies