The Charter School

In Year 9 pupils have continued to develop skills in recording observations and 3D design. They will also explore printmaking portraiture and study the decorative arts. Each module allows pupils to select visual information, investigate, make, explore and develop their own ideas. They analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of other practitioners. Knowledge and understanding of artists, crafts people and designers informs this process.

Year 9 pupils began the year by studying the European Union (EU). They learnt about EU Institutions and the development of the EU. In Module 2 pupils began to consider career choices and explore the different pathways open to them. In Module 3 pupils look at personal and public finance, including taxes and public spending. Module 4 allows pupils to choice an issue to produce a project and presentation on based on a citizenship topic or issue. The final module examines the different methods of communication. Pupils have the opportunity to look at all forms of the media, considering questions of truth and bias.

During Year 9 students build on the Design and Technology work done in previous years to help prepare for choosing a DT subject at GCSE. This work covers the National Curriculum requirements for Design & Technology, and includes the following subjects:

·      Resistant Materials – Making a jewellery box with computer aided design for a pattern;

·      Textiles – logo design and appliqué techniques on a drawstring bag;

·      Electronics – MP3 amplifier;

·      Food Technology – Exploring food for special diets.

During year 9 pupils create drama through response to a wide variety of stimuli such as music, text and film. They have worked on a Shakespearean text and learnt basic stage combat moves. They explore a variety of topics learning how to communicate a message and explore themes through practical drama whilst at the same time developing sensitivity and understanding of the issues explored. They will have had an opportunity to use lighting and sound to enhance their performance work. They will have strengthened and developed planning and structuring skills. They continue to develop communication and co-operative skills.

In English, pupils are taught to speak fluently, listen attentively and participate cooperatively in group, pair and individual activities. When writing, they compose in all the major literary and non-literary forms and through the medium of ICT. They are taught to plan, draft and proofread. They are taught spelling, punctuation and the principles of grammar. They learn to appreciate and analyse texts from the literary heritage and from different cultures and traditions, as well as non-fiction and media texts. They will have an opportunity to engage with a Shakespeare play as well as contemporary fiction.

Pupils are building on their knowledge of the language to speak, read and write in French. They are becoming familiar with sounds, written forms and grammar, and use this knowledge with increasing confidence and competence to express themselves in role-plays, conversation and writing. They improve their understanding of French by listening to people talking about a range of different subjects and by using a variety of forms of writing and tenses. Topics explored during year 9 include media, descriptions, future careers, health,, describing people, travel arrangements, hotel accommodation, the rights of young people. Using material from a range of French speaking countries increases their cultural awareness.

Pupils develop their understanding of the five key concepts - cultural diversity; physical processes; human processes; environmental interaction and interdependence. They begin year 9 Geography studying differences in development and what life is like for their counterparts in our link school in Ghana. They develop their understanding of physical processes in module 2 looking at natural hazards and the Philippines hazard hotspot. Module 3 provides an opportunity for pupils to investigate topical issues of urbanisation, Mega-cities and our sustainable urban future. Module 4 considers ‘Climate chaos and management’. Pupils complete the year investigating the rising super power, ‘China’.

In Year 9 History we focus on teaching the pupils to analyse and explain the major events, individuals and conflicts of the 20th Century, which we feel is vital for understanding society today. The key skills taught include assessing significance, causation, chronology and different interpretations of the past. We focus on key enquiry questions such as: Did the German people benefit from Nazi rule?; Why do we study the Holocaust?; Who was the most significant individual in the 20th Century?

Our challenging and lively course is an excellent introduction to the immensely popular GCSE course we offer in Year 10.

During Year 9, students will build upon the knowledge, skills and understanding gained previously to tackle a large project designed to enable the students’ to demonstrate an appreciation of the Systems Life Cycle, and to show they can select the correct tools for the given tasks. Students will also have the opportunity to gain up to half a GCSE by taking the Functional Skills Examination. Students will learn to master and demonstrate independent use of IT skills required for Industry.

In Year 9, students follow the KS3 National Strategy and work from the MathsLinks Scheme of Work. We use a variety of teaching methods to build upon work on number, algebra, shape and space, and statistics. All pupils have access to extension work and levels are re-evaluated every half term. Students can revise from home using the website www.mymaths.co.uk, for which each student has a personalized login and password. Pupils are expected to complete functional mathematics tasks and investigative projects to demonstrate their ability to use and apply mathematics.

During Y9 pupils study The Blues, Jazz, the Classical Overture, West African Drumming and Melody and Song Writing. Within these styles they review all KS3 material in preparation for KS4 and beyond. Pupils listen to and appraise music within these traditions, improvise and compose music in these styles in addition to using new scales, chords, rhythms, forms and structures, cyclic patterns and appropriate notational forms. They perform with an increasing degree of musical interpretation, phrasing, expression, use of dynamic control and sensitivity to the specific style.

During modules 1 and 2 pupils have been assessed on their attainment and effort in Football, Fitness, Outdoor Education and Basketball. Some select classes have been assessed in Rugby, which was run by a qualified coach during module 2. Emphasis is placed on an individual’s level of skill acquisition in both a practice and competitive situations, on top of developing a fundamental knowledge an understanding of the respective sports. During the Spring and Summer Terms, pupils will experience sports such as Cricket, Athletics, Volleyball and Rounders. There is also a possibility that the students will play Tennis during this time. Pupils are encouraged to work independently and collaboratively to enhance traits of teamwork and communication throughout the programme.

To experience a variety of sports is essential for a student’s development and discovery of various opportunities for them to perform in a sport that they not only enjoy, but can excel in.

In year 9, pupils start the year by studying the Indian religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Then they explore the relationship between Science and RE exploring basic dilemmas around the notion of truth, and also how advances in technology challenge religious thinking. Finally, they finish the year by researching and presenting an RE topic of their choice.

Pupils start the OCR 21st century Core Science GCSE this year. The course is comprised of three units of biology, chemistry and physics, and coursework that assesses scientific writing skills and experimental investigation skills. Pupils will be examined on the first two units of the chemistry, biology and physics units this year and will complete their coursework. The content of these units covers a wide array of science ranging from the nature of infection, the causes of air pollution and Earth history to the theories of the universe, polymers and stem cell research. Pupils will also develop argumentative and analytical skills through the study of the course.

Pupils are building on their knowledge of the language to speak, read and write in Spanish. They are becoming familiar with sounds, written forms and grammar, and use this knowledge with increasing confidence and competence to express themselves in role-plays, conversation and writing. They improve their understanding of Spanish by listening to people talking about a range of different subjects and by using a variety of forms of writing. Topics explored during year 9 include modes of communications, school, health, earning a living, the Spanish-speaking world and learning about a Spanish region Using material from a range of Spanish speaking countries, pupils are given opportunities to increase their cultural knowledge and understanding