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Year 7 Curriculum
Organisation of classes
Tutor Groups
On entry to Park View, your child will be assigned to one of eight tutor groups. We will
be making use of the results of SAT’s administered in the primary schools, as well as
general information, to ensure that, as far as possible, the eight tutor groups
are of similar ability. The eight groups will be further divided for curriculum purposes.
Each tutor group will be assigned a named tutor who will support and monitor your child's
educational and social development.
In Year 7, students will be taught in these mixed ability tutor groups for classes in subjects
such as Physical Education, Humanities (History, Geography, Religious Education),
Performing Arts (Music and Drama), Design and Technology (Art and Technology).
Socially, this is helpful and creates a good working atmosphere for students who come
from different primary backgrounds and who need time to integrate and adjust.
Inspiring Minds
We have a skills approach to the following subjects:
• Humanities (Explore): History, Geography, RE
• Performing Arts (Perform); Drama and Music
• Design and Technology (Design): Art and technology
While maintaining the integrity of the subjects, Explore, Perform and Design will be delivered
through four key skill areas:
• Resilience: Being ready and willing to lock on to learning
• Resourcefulness: Being ready, willing and able to learn in difference ways
• Reflectiveness: Being ready, willing and able to become more strategic about learning,
to plan and review effectively
• Relationships: Being ready, willing and able to learn alone or with others
This approach is about teachers helping students become better learners both in school and
out. It is about creating a climate or a culture in the classroom and in the school more
widely – that systematically cultivates habits and attitudes that enable our students to face
difficulty and uncertainty calmly, confidently and creatively. Students who are more confident
of their own learning learn faster and learn better. They concentrate more, think harder and
find learning more enjoyable. They do better in their tests and external examinations.
This approach will also prepare our students better for an uncertain future. Today’s schools
are educating not just for exam results but for lifelong learning so enabling students to take
their place in society as happy and positive citizens.
Other subjects are taught in ability groupings or sets.
Maths and Science
Setting in Maths and Science is based on KS2 test scores and assessment results.
Groups are set 1 to 5.
English, Languages, and ICT
Classes are organised in groups based on literacy skills as shown in KS2 SAT results and
other assessment tests. Groups are set 1 to 5.
• All setting arrangements are reviewed regularly and there may be some movement of
students between sets so that students can achieve their potential.
Student progress
Student progress in all subjects is carefully monitored throughout Key Stage 3, our aim
being to build on achievements made in Key Stage 2 in primary school.
EXPECTATIONS
Pupils are set targets in each subject. Targets represent the minimum expected to be
achieved by the end of each year during Key Stage 3 and are based on Key Stage 2 SAT
test scores in English, maths, and science together with Year 7 national tests taken in the
first term. Pupils record their targets in their Organisers.
• Please note that by the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 8), an average child is expected to
have reached Level 6 in most subjects, and at least Level 5.
TEACHER ASSESSMENT
• At regular intervals throughout the year, students complete assessment tasks in all
subjects. These take a variety of forms: some are tests completed in school, others are
completed at home and may involve extended writing or research. The task may test
attainment in one or more skills for that subject.
• All common assessment tasks are completed by the whole year group and marked
against common criteria based on the National Curriculum.
• Each student's completed common assessment task is assigned a National
Curriculum level. eg Level 5.b
Each level is sub-divided as follows:
Next level
NC level .a
Understands most ideas in this level and ready to move to the next
NC level .b Working well in this level
NC level .c Starting to work in this particular level
• Students are told what they are doing well and how they can improve their work.
• Students should record their assessment results in their Organisers during the year.
Progress is reviewed with tutors and subject teachers.
• If your child is performing exceptionally well, or if there are causes for concern, then
we will contact parents during the year.
• If parents have queries about assessment or progress, they should contact the
Year 7 Co-ordinator in the first instance.
REPORTS
• The common assessment levels are used to inform the teacher assessment level
which is recorded on the annual report to parents.
English
The course is broken down into three key areas of the National Curriculum: reading,
writing and speaking & listening. Aspects of the National Literacy Framework are delivered
in all three of these areas.
Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills in speaking and listening through
role-play and improvisation, as well as small group and whole class discussions. They will
read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts and write about their distinctive features. Students
will also be given the opportunity to study media texts and use ICT facilities. All students will
spend thirty minutes each week on individual reading in class, with this reading being recorded
in their Organisers. In addition to writing pieces centred on literary texts, students will also be
equipped with the skills necessary for their own creative writing.
All aspects of speaking & listening, reading and writing will be supported by basic skills teaching
in line with the requirements of the National Literacy Framework.
Homework well be set regularly and will be of a varied nature. It will range from individual research
and private reading to the drafting and re-drafting of written pieces.
Mathematics
The year is characterised by the gradual development of mathematical reasoning and more formal
procedures building on the understanding of patterns, structures and relationships gained at earlier
stages. In particular, students will have the opportunity to develop:
(a) their skills of reasoning so as to use and apply mathematics with increasing confidence to
solve real life problems.
(b) a greater understanding of number
(c) a competence with formal algebra and the use of a range of formulas
(d) a greater understanding of two and three dimensional shapes and the use of measures
(e) their understanding of data handling and analysis.
Teaching follows the National Numeracy Strategy.
Homework is set on a regular basis and is essential for reinforcing concepts and for the development
of understanding whilst also providing students with the opportunity to develop their own study skills.
The amount set and its nature may vary but all students should spend at least 40 minutes per week
on independent study
Science
Year 7 are following a new programme of study leading to SAT Tests in Year 8. Cells, Energy, Forces,
Particles 1,Interdependence and Particles 2, are the topics covered in Year 7.
Class work and homework tasks involve a range of learning activities including research, presentation,
practical work, numerical work and written work. Students will work as individuals, in pairs and in
larger groups. During lessons, Exploring Science Texts are available for students to use. To help
with homework tasks all students are given their own copy of the KS3 Science Review Guide.
Modern Languages
In Year 7, all students will study French.
The course is designed to develop language and communication skills and build on the experience
students have had in Primary French. Pupils will study a variety of topics such as daily routine, the
environment and leisure, at the same time as learning grammatical structures through the application
of language. They will also have the opportunity to gain an insight into the culture of France through
their studies and through working with one of our foreign language assistants.
Students will be engaged in a range of activities such as language games, pair and group work,
presentations, research activities, thinking skills and role plays. A variety of homework tasks will be
set once a week and will reinforce work undertaken in the classroom.
The Language Club runs once a week and provides pupils with an opportunity to learn different
languages, gain an insight into different cultures and encourages pupils to apply their language skills
by entering regional and national competitions.
Information Communications Technology
All students follow a course based on the National Strategy for ICT Capability. They will be given the
opportunity both to develop new skills and to build on those they have acquired at Key Stage 2, using
generic applications such as presentation using powerpoint, word-processing, spreadsheet, desk-top
publishing and data bases.
All students will undertake the Park View Computer Driving Licence (internally certified qualification)
in the first term to introduce them to ICT communication methods that they will use throughout their
time at Park View Community School.
Physical Education
In Year 7 all classes in physical education are of mixed ability and some are of mixed gender, gaining
access to two, one hour lessons per week. In games, students will participate in basketball and rugby
football or netball. They will also have the opportunity to improve their hitting, throwing and catching
skills in a course designed to lead on to cricket, tennis, rounders and softball. All students participate
in dance and gymnastics to help their aesthetic and creative development. The final area of activity
that the students experience is athletics.
Homework will not be set on any regular basis, though at present we do offer a wide range of extra-
curricular activities, ranging from clubs to inter-class competition and then on to higher levels of
participation.
With all groups in each year we do try to increase their understanding of the activity, as well as their
practical ability. However, an important aspect of the work is to try to raise students’ self-esteem
through allowing them different ways of “Succeeding”.
Continuous assessments are made for each area of activity with regard to the student’s practical ability.
The students keep a record of their progress and set their own targets for further improvement.
We must stress that the only way a student may miss a physical Education lesson is with a note
written in the student organiser explaining the reason. Without this note, your chid may well be asked
to take part in the lesson. If a student is inured or ill they must still bring their PE kit and take part in
the lesson in a different way.
PSHE Programme
Year 7 students follow a programme which includes strategies for settling into a new school, learning to
live with others, how to deal with bullying and skills for learning and health related topics. They are also
involved in a citizenship education programme and environmental projects. In addition to this, during the
15 minute morning tutorial the students are encouraged to reflect on current events or use the opportunity
for wider reading.
How Our School Tackles the Issue of Bullying
Bullying is a complex aspect of human behaviour that is not always easy to understand or deal with.
It takes many forms and occurs in all walks of life and all schools.
Any bullying, whether physical, verbal or psychological, causes distress and in some cases long lasting
harm and we therefore take all reasonable steps to eliminate it in school. We are only relieved that,
in Park View, it is not the significant problem it is in many other schools. Nevertheless you should be
aware than we have a clear school policy on its prevention: a policy in which parents, as well as teachers
and students, have a part to play.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Robison (Year 7 Learning Co-ordinator) if you have any concerns in
this area.
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