Year 7 Subject Summary
This document summarises the curriculum for pupils in Year 7 in each subject area. It is a guide to what your child learns across the academic year, and can be used to help you support your child with additional studies which they can complete at home.
Subject Area
English
Key Information
Reading and writing
elements are built-in to
specific half termly units
Half Term 1
Childhood (Writing)
- Use punctuation accurately to clarify meaning
and create effects in clauses and sentences.
- Vary sentence length and structure in order to
provide appropriate detail, make clear the
relationship between ideas, and create effects.
-Use vocabulary precisely and imaginatively to
clarify and extend meaning and create specific
effects.
- Develop in their own writing some of the key
linguistic and literary techniques used by writers,
and deploy them for deliberate effect on the
reader.
- Make ideas and purpose clear by appropriate
use of paragraphs and by choosing from a range
of linking words and phrases.
- Understand and use appropriately in their own
writing the conventions of sentence grammar.
- Spell common words correctly.
Half Term 2
Modern Novel (Reading)
- Extract the main points and relevant points from
information from a novel using a range of
strategies using skimming or scanning.
- Use inference and deduction to recognise
implicit meanings at sentence and text level.
- Identify and understand the main ideas,
viewpoints and themes and purposes in a novel.
- Make a personal response to a novel and
provide some textual reference and support.
- Identify and describe the effect of writer’s use
of specific literary, rhetorical and grammatical
features
Awesome Nature-Poetry (Reading)
- Explore a range of different ways poets use
layout, form and presentation in a variety of
poems.
- Explore the variety and range of ways the
content of poems can be organised, structured
and combined.
-Identify and describe the effect of poet’s use of
specific literary, rhetorical and grammatical
features.
-Understand the different ways in which poems
can reflect the social, cultural and historical
contexts in which they were written.
Shape
Line and rotational symmetries of 2D shapes
Transformations – reflections, rotations,
translations, and enlargements
Probability and Algebra
Identify outcomes and calculate simple
probability
Place events on probability scale
Conduct simple probability experiments
Construct expressions using algebraic notation
Simplify expressions and expand brackets
Substitute into formulae and evaluate
Solve linear equations,
Plot simple linear graphs
Plot and use conversion graphs
Circuit Route.
The pupils will investigate circuits and the function
of components. They will also investigate
magnets, electromagnets and the links between
the two topics. Pupils will also examine the uses
of static electricity in everyday life
Mendeleev.
Pupils will examine the Periodic table and its
history. They will further investigate chemical
reactions and the properties of materials. They
will link properties, reactivity and the periodic
table of elements together
Survival.
Pupils will examine habitats and the adaptation
of plants and animals. They will explain
photosynthesis in detail. They will investigate
food chains and webs and discover the delicate
balance of nature.
Local History ~ Roman Britain
(linking into aspects of local history)
Raiders, Invaders and Settlers~ linking to the
emergence of multi-cultural Britain
Development of Church, state and society in
Medieval Britain 1066 -1500
Why, when and how did the Romans conquer
Britain?
Why, where and when did the Romans build forts
in the North East?
Why did the Romans leave Britain?
What were the causes and consequences of the
Saxon invasion of Britain?
What were the causes and consequences of the
Viking invasion of Britain
How did the Saxons and Viking contribute to the
creation of a multi-cultural society?
Why and how did three men believe they should
be King of England?
Why was Harold Defeated at the Battle of
Hastings?
How did William build castles?
Map Skills, Local Area Study
An introduction to map work using our local area.
River Processes
An explanation of how rivers shape the land from
their source to their mouth.
Flooding
The causes, effects and consequences of flooding
using both local and global case studies.
¿Dónde vivo yo?: Where I live
Describing where you live and giving details
about your house,
Saying what you do at home,
Using –ar verbs
What the matter?
This unit the pupils investigate solid, liquid and
gases. The separation techniques of mixtures and
particle theory of matter.
Rome ~ Creation of an empire
History
Students investigate
aspects of local,
national and world
history
through their studies
students begin to
acquire the skills
relevant to studying the
subject at higher levels
Geography
An introduction to
geography including
both Physical and
Human topics
Spanish
Reading, writing,
speaking & listening
elements are integrated
into the half termly
topics to develop
balance of skills
¡Hola!
Introductory unit in which pupils present
themselves, learn numbers and classroom
instructions, give basic likes and dislikes
Mi Familia: My family
Describing members of your family
Describing pets
Using adjectives
French
Reading, writing,
speaking & listening
elements are integrated
into the half termly
topics to develop
balance of skills
C’est Parti!
Introductory unit covering greetings, numbers,
alphabet, school equipment, basic likes and
dislikes
En Famille: My family
Describing members of your family
Describing pets
Using adjectives
RE
As part of a balanced
religious curriculum, a
range of learning based
on a range of religions
takes place
What is religion?
How do Christians explain their beliefs about
God?
Where do Christians find Authority?
How do different Authorities affect Christians?
How is the Bible understood by Christians?
How do different interpretations of the Bible
affect a Christian’s life?
What is religion?
How is worship used to express Christian beliefs?
How does worship impact on individuals and
communities?
How does Christianity impact on the lives of
believers?
How does Christianity have an impact on the UK?
Computing
Half Term 6
Myths & Legends (Reading)
-Extract the main points and relevant points from
information from a text or source using a range
of strategies using skimming or scanning.
- Use inference and deduction to recognise
implicit meanings at sentence and text level.
- Explore a range of different ways writers use
layout, form and presentation in a variety of
texts.
- Explore the variety and range of ways the
content of texts can be organised, structured and
combined.
- Identify and describe the effect of writer’s use
of specific literary, rhetorical and grammatical
features.
Statistics, Ratio and Proportion, and Shape
Calculate averages and range for data sets
Write and simplify ratios
Scale up to calculate equivalent ratios
Divide in a ratio
Use of unitary method to solve direct proportion
problems
Nets, Surface Area, and Volume of 3D shapes
All 3 scientific disciplines
are covered within
individual topics in
different half terms
Content covered
encompasses computing,
information technology
and digital literacy as
the three key strands of
learning
Half Term 5
Number, Algebra, and Data
List factors and multiples, identify HCF and LCM
Identify primes and write numbers as product of
primes
Continue and describe sequences
Generate terms of a sequence given a rule or
Nth term
Draw and interpret pictograms, bar charts,
frequency diagrams, and pie charts
All five strands of
mathematics will be
covered throughout the
academic year with
most strands occurring in
multiple half terms
Science
Half Term 4
The Detectives-Newspapers (Writing)
- Use punctuation accurately to clarify meaning
and create effects in clauses and sentences.
- Vary sentence length and structure in order to
provide appropriate detail, make clear the
relationship between ideas, and create effects.
-Use vocabulary precisely and imaginatively to
clarify and extend meaning and create specific
effects.
- Develop in their own writing some of the key
linguistic and literary techniques used by writers,
and deploy them for deliberate effect on the
reader.
- Make ideas and purpose clear by appropriate
use of paragraphs and by choosing from a range
of linking words and phrases.
- Understand and use appropriately in their own
writing the conventions of sentence grammar.
Number and Shape
Order of operations and Rounding
Types of numbers: e.g. square, cube, and prime Use function machines
Interpret calculator results.
Calculate with time and money
Measure accurately and convert metric units
Plot Coordinates and Identify horizontal and
vertical lines
Name 2D and 3D shapes and know their
properties
Calculate missing angles in diagrams
Calculate perimeter and area of 2D shapes
The Amazing Body.
Pupils will examine about cells and organisms.
Pupils will investigate how the body works: like
respiration system, digestive system, circulatory
system and also how muscles and the skeletal
system work.
Number
Four Operations with Integers and Negatives
Place Value, multiply and divide by powers of
10
Order Decimals and Negatives
Write Equivalent Fractions, Simplify Fractions,
and Order Fractions
Calculate Fractions of an amount
Add and Subtract Fractions
Calculate percentages of an amount
Convert fractions, decimals, and percentages
Mathematics
Half Term 3
Fairy tales-Shakespeare (Reading)
- Extract the main points and relevant points from
information from a Shakespeare play using a
range of strategies using skimming or scanning.
- Use inference and deduction to recognise
implicit meanings at sentence and text level.
- Identify and understand the main ideas,
viewpoints and themes and purposes in a
Shakespeare play.
-Make a personal response to a Shakespeare
play and provide some textual reference and
support.
-Understand the different ways in which a
Shakespeare play can reflect the social, cultural
and historical contexts in which it was written.
Rome its empire: where why when and how was
Rome created?
How, why and when did Rome expand from city
to empire?
What was living in Rome like?
What did the Romans do for entertainment
What is a computer? The inside of a computer
Understand the hardware and software
components that make up computer systems and
how they communicate with each other and other
systems.
Computer control
Understand how instructions are stored and
executed within a computer system.
Understand how data of various types (including
text, sounds and pictures) can be represented
and manipulated digitally in the form of binary
digits.
Understand how numbers can be represented in
binary, and be able to carry out simple
operations on binary numbers; [for example,
binary addition and conversion between binary
and decimal].
Chez Moi: Where I live
Describing where you live and giving details
about your house,
Saying what you do at home,
Using –er verbs
Why do some people believe in God?
What is the notion of God?
What do we mean by “Proof”?
How can a watch prove God?
Is the Design Argument proof/convincing?
Antarctica
An investigation into the location and fragility of
Antarctica.
En el colegio: At school
Describing your school day,
Saying what you like / dislike about school,
Telling the time, using new verbs
Une Journée Au Collège: At school
Describing your school day,
Saying what you like / dislike about school,
Telling the time, using new verbs
Why do some people believe in God?
What is the “First Cause”?
Does the “First Cause” prove God?
What do we mean by “Religious Experience”?
Why do some people not believe in God?
Mini business project
Undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, preferably
across a range of devices, to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and
meeting the needs of known users.
Create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to
trustworthiness, design and usability.
Understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including
protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and
know how to report concerns.
Development of Church, State and Society
1509~1745
How and when did the Tudor dynasty begin?
How did Tudor monarchs deal with threats to
their rule?
How, when and why was England ruled by
Scottish Monarchs?
How, why and when did the reign of the Stuarts
come to an end?
Lost World/Ecosystems
An overview of world ecosystems to include the
Tropical Rainforests the African savannah and the
Arctic Tundra.
En mi tiempo libre: My free time
Saying what you like doing in your free time,
describing what you like to watch on TV,
Giving justifications
Comment tu t-amuses?: My free time
Saying what you like doing in your free time,
describing what you like to watch on TV
Giving justifications
How and why are the arts used to express
religious belief and spirituality?
How are symbols used in Art?
How is Jesus shown in Art?
What does Art show us about the beliefs in
Christianity about Jesus?
What is an Illuminated Manuscript?
Problem solving
Design, use and evaluate computational
abstractions that model the state and behaviour
of real-world problems and physical systems.
Use logical reasoning to compare the utility of
alternative algorithms for the same problem.
Use the Force.
Pupils will investigate the effects that forces have
on everyday life. They will investigate speed,
acceleration and displacement of objects. They
will also examine pressure, moments, density and
levers.
Changing Minds~ Development of Church,
State and Society 1509~1745
What was life like for ordinary people?
What did people do for entertainment like
during this period?
What were the causes and consequences of the
Great Plague and Fire of London?
Why, when and how did people become less
superstitious?
India
A study of India to include climatic, economic,
social and environmental issues in a country of
increasing world importance.
Los Países Hispánicos
Learning about where Spanish is spoken around
the world
Finding out why
Completing a study of a Spanish-speaking
country
Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopatre
Learning about Astérix and Obélix,
describing characters,
reading an authentic text in French,
watching a film in French
How and why are the arts used to express
religious belief and spirituality?
How do Illuminated Manuscripts show Religious
Beliefs?
Why is Islamic Art unique?
How do the Arts express belief in Judaism?
How else are beliefs shown in Art?
Problem solving using programming
Use two or more programming languages, at
least one of which is textual to solve a variety of
computational problems.
Make appropriate use of data structures [for
example, lists, tables or arrays].
Design and develop modular programs that use
procedures or functions.
Understand simple Boolean logic [for example,
AND, OR and NOT] and some of its uses in
circuits and programming.
Year 7 Subject Summary
This document summarises the curriculum for pupils in Year 7 in each subject area. It is a guide to what your child learns across the academic year, and can be used to help you support your child with additional studies which they can complete at home.
Subject Area
PE (Boys)
PE (Girls)
Key Information
Pupils study 2 sports in
each half term to
provide the opportunity
to identify specialisms
which pupils can opt to
follow more specifically
in future years
Pupils study 2 sports in
each half term to
provide pupils with the
opportunity to identify
specialism’s which they
can opt to follow more
specifically in future
years
Half Term 1
Half Term 2
Half Term 3
Half Term 4
Half Term 5
Half Term 6
Baseline
- Be able to demonstrate various throwing and
catching skills.
- Show speed, agility and quickness.
- Demonstrate endurance and stamina.
- Be involved in competitive situations in invasion
games and net games.
- Demonstrate co-ordination and artistic
appreciation in different movements.
Trampolining
- Safely perform basic jumps and apply these
into a routine
- Perform a range of swivel, front drop, back
drop and rotation manoeuvres, and apply these
into a routine
- demonstrate a 10-bounce routine which includes
a range of manoeuvres
Fitness
- Participate in and understand the importance of
fitness testing
- Know what interval training is and which types
of athletes will use it
- Participate in a range of sessions including
Fartlek, Circuit and Boxercise training
Badminton
- Understand the different areas of a Badminton
court
- develop a range of skills to outwit opponents,
including the overhead and underarm clear, drop
shot and smash
- Understand and perform a range of singles and
doubles tactics to outwit opponents
Cricket
- Perform a range of fielding techniques related
to a specific competitive situation
- Demonstrate a range of batting techniques
including the batting pull and drive shots
- Demonstrate the ability to perform a bowling
run-up effectively
- Use communication and basic fielding techniques
effectively to outwit opponents
Softball
- Demonstrate batting, fielding, throwing and
catching techniques in games
- Accurately demonstrate a pitching technique
- Use batting as an opportunity to outwit
opponents, including ball placement and use of
power
- understand and demonstrate participation in a
range of pitching positions
Leadership
- Lead a warm-up and cool-down activity
- Use 2 different methods of communication when
delivering an activity
- Understand the safety considerations when
leading an activity
- Design an activity to improve pupil skills in a
chosen sport
- Identify strengths weaknesses and improvements
needed in a sporting activity
Athletics
- Know how to demonstrate the sprinting and
relay techniques effectively
- Explain the need for and demonstrate
appropriate pace in middle and long distance
events
- Perform key field events effectively including
shot put and high jump
Athletics (Mini-Olympics)
Understand and participate in a range of field events:
Javelin
Discus
Long Jump
Triple Jump
- Mini- Olympics competition to consolidate
learning and skills in all areas
Football
- Be able to perform passes in a small-sided
game
- Understand the different types of passing and
the benefits of passing during a game
- Explain and perform a range of shooting
techniques and defensive tactics
Baseline
- Be able to demonstrate various throwing and
catching skills.
- Show speed, agility and quickness.
- Demonstrate endurance and stamina.
- Be involved in competitive situations in invasion
games and net games.
- Demonstrate co-ordination and artistic
appreciation in different movements.
Netball
- Know a range of passing methods
- Know and perform a range of pivoting and
footwork techniques whilst passing on the move
- Know how to and demonstrate changing
direction, and be able to shoot under pressure
- Perform a range of defensive and offensive
tactics and strategies
Rugby
- Replicate different types of passes and perform
these in a game
- Develop a range of strategic play to outwit
opponents, based on analysis of opponents
- Demonstrate a range of skills, including tackling,
rucking, scrums and restarting play through lineouts
Basketball
- Perform a range of techniques to outwit
opponents
- Perform and accurately replicate a range of
lay-up variations
- Understand and use defensive and attacking
principles
Trampolining
- Safely perform basic jumps and apply these
into a routine
- Perform a range of swivel, front drop, back
drop and rotation manoeuvres, and apply these
into a routine
- demonstrate a 10-bounce routine which includes
a range of manoeuvres
Dance
- Demonstrate unison dancing, timing and basic
stepping actions.
- Show exaggeration and movement memory.
- Choreograph a paired motif with starting and
finishing position and formations.
- Perform and evaluate the dance sequence
Short Tennis
- Be able to hold a tennis racket and control a
tennis ball correctly
- Be able to explain how to perform, and
perform, forehand and backhand shots
- Be able to explain how to perform, and
perform, serves and volleys
- Demonstrate knowledge of the rules of tennis,
and be able to apply a range of skills and
techniques in games
Rounders
- Be able to catch one and two handed, and
demonstrate over arm and under arm throws
whilst taking part in a game
- Demonstrate under arm bowling and batting
techniques
- Demonstrate a range of attacking (batting) and
defensive (fielding) tactics whilst taking part in a
match
Cricket
- Perform a range of fielding techniques related
to a specific competitive situation
- Demonstrate a range of batting techniques
including the batting pull and drive shots
- Demonstrate the ability to perform a bowling
run-up effectively
- Use communication and basic fielding techniques
effectively to outwit opponents
Fitness
- Participate in and understand the importance of
fitness testing
- Know what interval training is and which types
of athletes will use it
- Participate in a range of sessions including
Fartlek, Circuit and Boxercise training
Tag Rugby
- Familiarisation with a rugby ball, including the
ability to hold and run with the ball
- Pass and retrieve the ball in a game play
situation
- Pass and create space when in possession of the
ball
- Demonstrate a range of attacking techniques
within a game situation
Leadership
- Lead a warm-up and cool-down activity
- Use 2 different methods of communication when
delivering an activity
- Understand the safety considerations when
leading an activity
- Design an activity to improve pupil skills in a
chosen sport
- Identify strengths weaknesses and improvements
needed in a sporting activity
Athletics
- Know how to demonstrate the sprinting and
relay techniques effectively
- Explain the need for and demonstrate
appropriate pace in middle and long distance
events
- Perform key field events effectively including
shot put and high jump
Athletics (Mini-Olympics)
-Understand and participate in a range of field
events:
Javelin
Discus
Long Jump
Triple Jump
- Mini- Olympics competition to consolidate
learning and skills in all areas
Students develop key
skills exploring colour,
mark making, 3D skills
focusing on the formal
elements. These
schemes are
underpinned with
studies of both
contemporary and
historical artists and
cultures
Colour Theory,& Under the Sea
Know primary, secondary, and tertiary colours
and mix and apply paint. Mix tints and tones
Create a weave and draw sea creatures using
different techniques Use pen and water to draw
a fish accurately showing some formal elements
Use oil pastels to make a sgraffito sea creature
showing some formal elements
Colour Theory& Under the Sea
Make a plastic fusion fish using different layers.
Draw an under the sea final piece
Mix and add paint a final piece
Know about Vincent Scarpace and his techniques
and use acrylic paint to make a fish in his style
showing some formal elements. Set specific
targets to improve
Use WOW, HOW, NOW to set specific targets
and identify positives
Food & 3D Skills
Design a food title page using keywords, images
and drawings showing some formal elements
Show different ideas when designing a sweet
based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
showing formal elements
Draw a cupcake using pencil, pen and colour
showing some formal elements
Food & 3D Skills
Make a collage of a sweet using a range of
different materials showing some formal elements
Mix and apply paint and decoration to a 3D
sweet
Set specific targets to improve
Use WOW, HOW, NOW to set specific targets
and identify positives
Cultural Celebrations
Design a bunting title page using descriptions,
images and accurate drawings showing formal
elements
Present a study page on a chosen culture using
facts, images and drawings showing some formal
elements
Design different initial ideas accurately for a
bunting flag that show some formal elements
Present an accurate final design for a bunting
Cultural Celebrations
Mix and apply acrylic paint and collage
Mix and apply paint to a final bunting flag
showing some formal elements
Add decoration and detail
Set specific targets to improve
Use WOW, HOW, NOW to set specific targets
and identify positives
Music
Pupils learn theoretical
elements (reading music)
alongside practical
(performance) elements
of the subject
Rhythm
Students study the fundamentals of rhythm and
explore composition, ostinato, time signatures and
how to read and perform rhythmic passages
Pitch
Students learn how to read standard notation on
the treble clef and perform pop melodies and
Christmas songs on the keyboard. During this
topic the students will explore composing their
own melodies/songs.
Guitar 1
Every student will have access to their own guitar
and be involved in whole class guitar lessons.
During this time they will use their newly acquired
knowledge of rhythm and pitch to learn the art of
sight reading. They will play and perform a
number of technique pieces across various styles
of music including; Reggae, Rock, Blues and Funk
The Elements of Music
The students will study the following ‘Elements of
Music’ in more detail and explore these using a
variety of instruments and voice:
Dynamics, Tempo, Texture, Tone, Pitch & Rhythm
Chords
Studying chord harmony and how notes work
together to create different types of chords. The
students will also compose their own songs using
the new skills acquired from this topic.
Composition
Creating and writing their own melody using
standard notation. Using the Keyboard, Voice or
Guitar to compose and perform their final piece
DT Food
DT Graphics
Enterprise (Businessbased)
Pupils undertake 2 half
terms worth of study in
this subject, which runs
on a termly carousel
alongside DT Graphics
and Enterprise.
Enterprise
Managing Money
What budgeting involves
Creating a personal budget (current)
Living independently (budget at university)
Enterprise
Marketing and Branding
Logo design
Promotional methods
Costing Research and sales predictions
Entrepreneurs and their skills
Famous entrepreneurs – how they made it
Skills of entrepreneurs
Personal skills audit and development
Ethics in Business
Marketing – advertising and promotional
restrictions
ethics in business
Art
PSHCE
The theme for the first
term is ‘Who am I’.
The second term is
developing a piece of
Theatre In Education on
Loan Sharks.
Term three is based on
‘The World and Us.’
Throughout the year we
will look at the
development of
performance skills, while
looking at these topics.
DT Food
Let’s get ready to cook
Pupils are taught food safety skills, such as knife skills, kitchen safety and hygiene before cooking a
range of healthy dishes. Before cooking begins however pupils are expected to learn key facts about the
balanced plate and should be able to discuss a range of nutrients and the job of the nutrients in our diet
Theatre In Education
Loan Sharks
Who am I’
- Developing group relationships
- Exploring local culture and values
- Expectations
- Gratefulness
- Personal responsibility
- Relationships
- Current Affairs
- Appropriate Language
DT Graphics
Introduction to graphics.
Introduction to logos and lettering as an important element in graphics.
Design their own lettering and logos to be used on a menu design.
Learn how to draw a basic 3D design for their menu.
Learn how to create models in card and evaluate their ideas.
Learn how to use basic digital editing to enhance designs.
Learn how to print and create a final model
Learn how to evaluate the success of their final product.
The themes in the first and second term are
explored through group discussion, group
activities, paired activities and individual
performance. Each class can change the direction
of the work depending on responses in discussion.
An emphasis is placed on respect for others in all
aspects of work.
- Exploring basic drama skills for performance
- Non-verbal Communication
- Use of Language
- Appropriate language
- Research statistics
- Discussion skills
- Group development
- Constructing TIE
- Peer critique
During the term the students focus on the theme of
Loan Sharks. They explore what happens to
people who feel they need to use illegal money
lending and how that can affect lives. They then
look at technical elements for constructing a
performance and how to positively critique work.
The overall aim of this half term is trying to
understand how in a community like Bishop
Auckland, we prevent people using loan sharks.
The World and Us
Preparation for Brazilian group visit
- Understanding the wider world
- Exploring other cultures
- Understanding issues around the world
- Exploring different languages
- The History of Brazil
- Portuguese language
- UK role in history around the world
During the term the students will look at world
politics, language and cultures, trying to
understand the differences and similarities and
how cultures work in different ways.
We will prepare for the visit of our Brazilian
partner group B.A.N.H.O. from Navirai, Mato
Grosso do Sul in July. We will explore their
language and cultural and social expectations as
well as preparing welcome activities for their
visit.