HOLYWELL SCHOOL
Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0JA
Tel: 01234 750381
Fax: 01234 752279
Website: www.holywell.beds.sch.uk
Values Based Education
6th May 2013
Year 7 Parents
Dear Parents
Option lesson in year 8 curriculum
In the year 8 curriculum we provide our pupils with an Option block. This has been designed to
encourage pupils to think carefully about different subjects and which one they would like to focus on
in more detail. This will be an important early experience in choosing between subjects - before this
exercise becomes central to their life in Upper School. For many pupils this will also allow them to
really extend themselves alongside other pupils who are also especially talented in their chosen option
subject area. This arrangement was especially praised by our Ofsted inspectors.
I shall be talking with year 7 about this in assembly. Your child will have a period of time to talk with
you about which subject they would most like to opt for. S/he will also be able to talk with teachers in
school to answer any questions they might have between different possible choices.
We need to have all choices returned by Monday 20th May so that we can then timetable in
response to the preferences recorded across the year group. We cannot guarantee that every child
will get their first choice because in some subject areas we only have the capacity to provide a
single teaching group. Second and third subject choices are therefore very important. It is also likely
that one of the options listed will not attract sufficient numbers of pupils to make it a viable offer. I
would intend to have completed the work on allocating pupils to options before Friday 24th May – the
start of half-term.
Please find the option sheet attached. Pupils will be reminded regularly about the need to finalise
their choices for handing in on Monday 20th May. The subjects available are:

Art and Design

Drama

Maths in Technology and Engineering

Movie-making – stories through film

Music

PE – Sports Leadership
This has been a very successful development in our curriculum and we hope that it will be just as
positive experience for your son/daughter.
Yours sincerely
P. Haddon
Headteacher
Headteacher: Mr P Haddon MEd
Deputy Headteachers: Mr D Hall NPQH
Miss C McMaster NPQH
Operated by Holywell Church of England Academy, Registered in England, Company Number 08224216
Year 7 into Year 8 Options Sheet
Pupil name………………………………………………………………… Tutor group 7…….
Please put one tick in each column – just one tick in first column for your first choice, just one in the
second column for your second choice and your final tick in the third column for your third choice.…
Please hand into your form tutor no later than Monday 20th May
Teacher to talk with on
this option
Art and Design
Mrs Niro
Drama
Mrs Davies
Maths in Technology and Engineering
Miss Mollis
Movie-making – stories through film
Mr Brown
Music
Mrs Macdonald
PE – Sports Leadership
Miss Cartwright /
Mr Eames
First
choice
Second
choice
Third
choice
A brief introduction to each of the options
Art and Design
An opportunity for any pupil who has a passion for Art and would like to do more of it! Mythical
Beasts, projects to improve the school environment, painting, claywork and printing. Time to
improve your skills, use your imagination and be an Artist!
Drama
This course will focus on dramatic technique and on how to put on a production. Pupils who take
this option will be expected to take part in the school show – acting, production team, stage crew,
make up, costumes, scenery, lighting…. We also hope that pupils in this group will produce smaller
scale productions for performing to big audiences during the year.
There will be the opportunity to go on theatre trips and see how real theatres work. Lots of chances
to use your imagination and develop your creativity.
Maths for Technology and Engineering
You don’t have to be a Maths boffin to do this option, just have a genuine interest in how things
work.
You will be introduced to the maths of various aspects of design from coins to footballs. You’ll alsoi
investigate how things work – from things that move (eg cars) to those that don’t (eg buildings) –
with mechanics and structure being at the heart of both.
You will gain an insight into the relevance of maths today in topics such as ‘Ecomaths’ and have fun
puzzling with recent mathematical ideas such as network theories.
You will also get the chance to put your ideas into practice using a real wind tunnel! So come and
get to grips with some real life maths!
Music
A fantastic opportunity for musicians to perform and compose together in styles that reflect their
musical expertise! Performance skills will be improved through ensemble and individual
performance of existing music and also of music composed by the pupils themselves. These
musicians will also learn how to organise, prepare and perform in informal charity concerts..
Movie-making – stories through film
This is an opportunity for pupils to study film-making techniques. We will look at outstanding movies
and see how great stories are re-told through film. This will lead onto the pupils writing, producing
and editing their own short films. This option is closely linked to work in English and ICT.
PE – Sports Leadership
This option builds on the Sports Leadership work pupils do in year 8 PE. Taking this option will give
you the chance to put that study into practice. You will be given guidance in how to plan a session
and lead your peers in sports tournaments and activities. You may also be given the opportunity to
help at the Lower School swimming galas and in their PE lessons. You will look in detail about how
to coach younger children in specific sports, put programmes/lessons together that you will put into
practice with year 4 pupils by organising and running competitions for Lower School pupils such as
tag rugby, bench/basketball, kick rounders and athletics.
In the past two years we have also been able to provide opportunities for pupils taking this option to
listen to talks and meet professional athletes and sports men and women.