March 2017
Dear Year 8 Student
Year 9 Optional Subject Choices
You have been given the opportunity to slightly personalise your Year 9 curriculum for next year. This decision is
something that you should consider carefully and ask for advice and guidance from your parents/carers as well as your
Tutor and other teachers.
Essentially you have been given two choices:
1. The choice of which language you want to study in more detail or whether you would like to continue studying
your current two languages.
2. A choice of two subjects from the following list of seven: French (as a 2nd Language), Art & Design, Drama,
Food Preparation & Nutrition, DT – Electronic Products, DT – Resistant Materials and Music.
You will need to read the information about each of the above subjects and decide which two are best suited to your
skills and talents. Please remember to ask your teachers if you are unsure that your choices are the best ones for you.
You will need to think carefully about your future plans. If you plan to study a language at GCSE then you need to select
this language as part of your choices. If you intend to study two languages then you must select one in your language
choice and one in your additional subject choices.
The deadline for the return of your Optional Subject Choices form is Monday 24th April 2017.
Mr Ian Lovelady
Assistant Headteacher
Art and Design
Why study Art and Design
Art stimulates both sides of the brain and allows pupils to learn to use their senses. It promotes self-esteem, while
teaching pupils to respect the individual identities of those around them. Pupils are encouraged to think openly and
to have confidence in their opinions on life and the world around us. Art represents a culture of questioners rather
than a culture of responders and through enquiry pupils often offer more than one solution to a problem. Art
provides a common ground across racial stereotypes, barriers and prejudices. Studying art gives pupils the chance to
learn how to think critically. Since most questions regarding a piece of art do not have a specific answer, pupils are
encouraged to come up with their own solutions to questions. This process is a good way to practise and hone
pupils' critical thinking skills, and is something that can be used throughout life.
In year 9 the emphasis will be given to the production of ‘units ‘of work showing a sustained line of enquiry in a
number of endorsements within the A&D suite.
This will include modules in:
 Fine Art – Drawing, Painting, Mixed-media, Printmaking
 Graphic Communication - Design for print, Advertising and Branding, Package Design, Typography
 Photography – Location Photography, Studio Photography, Experimental imagery using Adobe Suite
 Three-Dimensional Design – sculpture, ceramics
Good planning, reference gathering, use of media and presentation will be encouraged to further pupils
understanding of the methodology required to access the GCSE Art and Design suite. Pupils should be able to make a
valid assessment of their potential for success on a GCSE course. All work is continually assessed and may be
considered for the portfolio submission in Year 11.
Course content:
This is a broad course exploring practical and critical/contextual work through a range of 2D and 3D processes and
new media and technologies. It is a course where pupils can work in appropriate art, craft and design disciplines.
Pupils will be expected to extend their knowledge and practical skills outside class contact time to support each
module.
Fine Art – Pupils will explore a range of disciplines within Fine Art which will allow them to respond aesthetically and
intellectually to a given theme. They will communicate their ideas through visual and tactile elements such as colour,
line, form, tone, texture, shape, composition, rhythm, scale, structure and surface through drawing, painting, mixedmedia and printmaking.
Graphic Communication – Pupils will develop skills to realise personal intentions relevant to graphic communication
including how sources relate to a given brief which will have a commercial focus specific to the creative industries.
Pupils will look at different forms of representation, brand identity, intended message, target audience and working
with clear parameters determined by audience expectations and requirements. They will communicate their ideas
through visual and tactile elements such as colour, line, form, tone, texture, shape, pattern, composition, stylization,
simplification, scale and structure.
Photography - Pupils will develop skills to realise personal intentions relevant to Photography by using digital
methods. They will spend some time in specialist rooms, which will enable them to submit a variety of work using
lens-based and light-based media, techniques and processes, using new technologies. Responses to these will be
shown through practical and critical activities which demonstrate the pupils’ understanding of different styles,
genres and traditions.
Three-Dimensional design – Pupils will use relevant three-dimensional design to develop personal intentions to a set
theme. Ideas and intentions will include the use of figurative and non-figurative forms of representation, stylisation,
simplification, exaggeration, the relationship between form and surface embellishment, constructional
considerations and imaginative interpretation and will evidence the following visual and tactile elements such as
colour, line, form, tone, texture, space, proportion, decoration, scale structure, shape and pattern.
Design and Technology – Resistant Materials or Electronic Products
Design and Technology provides students with opportunities to solve design problems creatively as individuals and in
collaboration with others, to learn about processes and materials and understand the needs of a client. Students
will explore new materials, emerging technologies and contemporary designers’ work, developing awareness of the
built environment through the products and spaces they use every day. Students develop their knowledge and skills
from projects covered in Years 7 and 8.
Students will start specialising in either Resistant Materials (softwood, manufactured board or thermoplastics), and
design and make products such as a USB Lamp, small scale storage and furniture prototypes. Specialist equipment
such as 3D printers, the CNC router, the laser cutter and the lathe will be used, as well as the opportunity to explore
industrial processes such as casting and injection moulding.
OR Electronic products whereby a typical project could include working on an Electronic Decoration. This course will
include design work, accurate soldering and programming. CAD/CAM will be used in the manufacture of a casing for
the circuit board.
Core skills are taught throughout KS3 in all projects and include:
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Analysis
Problem Solving
Design reflection
Planning
Designing – 3D drawing and rendering techniques
Modelling and testing using 2D and 3D CAD and CAM
Course Content:
Core design and technology
principles including:
- Applied maths and science.
- Iterative designing and
accurate making skills.
Electronic Products
Working with
components,
programming and
manufacturing a
casing.
- High quality and creative
graphical presentation of
drawings
- Modelling and evaluation.
- Modern and smart materials.
- Communication skills.
Resistant Materials
Working with wood
and/or plastics to
design and make
attractive, functioning
products.
- Analysis of design context,
client needs and existing
products.
- CAD CAM, industrial
processes, control systems,
safe working practices.
Future pathways
UK creative industries are fast growing. This course will encourage you to think creatively around problems and
provide an awareness of how the products you use everyday are designed and manufactured. Degree courses and
career paths could include; architecture, product design, landscape design, design engineering, furniture design, and
graphic design.
Drama
Year 9 Drama focuses on developing the Drama skills established in previous years, as well as exploring the subject in
more depth to give pupils a taste of what Drama would be like at GCSE. Throughout the year, pupils will study a
variety of Drama practitioners and styles, including: Naturalism, Non-naturalism, Physical theatre, performing from a
script, and devising an original piece. For each unit of study, pupils will experiment with the practitioner and style as
a performer and as a designer, considering acting, directing, lighting, sound, set, and costume. By studying Drama in
Year 9, pupils will gain a practical understanding of the subject, as well as developing their analytical skills in written
pieces of work.
Why study Drama?
 Drama is a subject that is becoming increasingly valued by businesses, who feel that young people today lack
confidence at interviews, or the ability to present information. Within Drama pupils will not only study the
craft of acting and theatre, they will also learn extremely valuable transferrable skills, for example:
collaboration, empathy, analysis, evaluation, deconstruction of a given subject, and construction of
performance pieces.
 There is plenty of variety; pupils are able to perform but also work on production skills such as lighting,
costume, sound, set/props, etc. Furthermore, there is a written element to the course in which pupils will
analyse set texts, write their own scripts, and write about live performances that they have watched.
 Drama fosters pupils’ creativity, personal growth, self-confidence, communication and analytical skills
through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding.
 It provides opportunities for pupils to attend professional and community Drama performances and to
develop their skills as informed and thoughtful audience members.
 Through the study of Drama, pupils will be given opportunities to participate in and interpret their own and
others’ Drama. They will investigate the forms, styles, and contexts of Drama, and will learn to work
collaboratively to develop ideas, to express feelings, to experiment with technical elements and to reflect on
their own and others’ performances.
 By studying Drama, pupils will learn more about the subject and its contribution to social and cultural
commentary, and will come to appreciate that Drama, whether intended for audiences or not, provides
significant opportunities for expressing cultural and personal identity.
Future Pathways:
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The Year 9 Drama curriculum is specifically designed to lay the foundations for the GCSE and A level Drama
courses, however it is not essential if choosing at GCSE stage. There are also plenty of extra-curricular Drama
activities available at the school throughout the year.
With regards to the job market, in January 2016 the government announced that creative industries are
worth £84.1billion per year. The industry is rapidly growing, including jobs specifically in Performing Arts,
such as actors, screenwriters, producers, directors, lighting technicians, set designers, make-up artists, etc.
Drama has also shown to be beneficial to the study of the following subjects: medicine, law, public relations,
journalism, diplomacy, politics, social work, and hospitality.
Food Preparation & Nutrition
Course contents
The Course will give learners the opportunity to:
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Demonstrate effective and safe cooking skills by planning, preparing and cooking a variety of food
commodities whilst using different cooking techniques and equipment.
Develop knowledge and understanding of the functional properties and chemical characteristics of food as
well as a sound knowledge of the nutritional content of food and drinks.
Understand the relationship between diet, nutrition and health, including the physiological and
psychological effects of poor diet and health.
Understand the economic, environmental, ethical and socio-cultural influences on food availability,
production processes, diet and health choices.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of functional and nutritional properties, sensory qualities and
microbiological food safety considerations when preparing, processing, storing, cooking and serving food.
Understand and explore a range of ingredients and processes from different culinary traditions (traditional
British and international) to inspire new ideas or modify existing recipes.
Why choose this course
The course is highly practical and involves experimental work as well as learning how to cook a variety of highly
skilled dishes. If you are interested in nutrition then this is the course for you as you will be learning about the
requirements of the human body and is a great support for anyone looking at medical school in the future.
Music
In Year 9 the emphasis will continue to focus on the development of performing, composing and listening skills. This
will be achieved through the study of a wide variety of musical styles – popular music, music for stage and screen
and classical music. The course aims to equip students with a body of musical knowledge, skills and vocabulary as a
basis for further study at GCSE. All work is continually assessed.
Course Content
The course will provide a range of learning opportunities to motivate and challenge all students. Students will have
access to Yamaha electronic keyboards to foster the development of keyboard, composition and improvisation skills.
It is hoped that students will be able to access the Apple iMac suite to gain an introduction to Logic music software
for composition projects, but this is dependent on student numbers and timetabling. The course will introduce
students to the concept of musical analysis through the study of musical scores and focused listening exercises.
Aspects of music theory will be taught to enable students to access score notation and to prepare them for the
demands of GCSE study.
Performance, Composition and Analysis Topics may include:
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Reggae music (for example, Red Red Wine by UB40)
Britpop music of the 1990s (for example, Wonderwall by Oasis)
Origins of Club Dance music (for example, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad by Moby)
Rondo form (for example, the Baroque Concerto)
Film music (for example, Star Wars Main Title Sequence)
Music for the Stage (for example, West Side Story by Bernstein)
Modes and Modal scales (for example, Celtic folk music)
Chord progressions / advanced 12-bar blues
Y8 Optional Subject Choices 2017
1. Please select one language from the Language choice column.
2. Select two additional subjects from the Additional Subjects column and number these 1 for your first choice and
2 for your second choice.
LANGUAGE CHOICE – PLEASE CHOOSE ONE
ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS – CHOOSE TWO
French
Art & Design
German
Drama
Latin
Food & Nutrition
Spanish
French – 2nd Language
DT – Electronic Products
DT – Resistant Materials
Music
Name (please print)………………………………….…………………………….. Form …………………….……………
Parent/carer signature ………………………………………………… Date ………………..…………….2017
RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR TUTOR BY MONDAY 24
APRIL 2017
Please note that courses will only run if there is sufficient demand