Curriculum by year year 9

Our Year 9 Curriculum Further information can be found on the curriculum pages for each subject area.

Subject English

Maths

Science

Subject Art

BRIDGES PSHE

Key content • Crime: Why does crime fiction pay?

• The American Dream: Can dreams become reality?

• Macbeth: Does ambition always pay off?

• Poetry: What is it good for?

• Justice: Who decides what’s right or wrong? http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/english • Algebraic expressions: Change the subject of a formula, algebraic manipulation, expansion, factorisation, algebraic fractions • 2D geometry: Construction and loci, triangles and quadrilaterals, angles in polygons, congruence and similarity • Graphs and proportion: Cartesian coordinates, linear graphs, direct and inverse proportion, calculating with scales, sequences (nth term) • Equations and inequalities: Equations, inequalities, constructing equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, simultaneous linear equations • Statistics: Comparing two data sets, stem and leaf diagrams, averages, mean of grouped data, scatter graphs, probability • 3D geometry: Pythagoras’ theorem, surface area and volume of pyramids, cones and spheres, similar solids http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/maths • Inheritance and Disease • Forensic Science • Physics Fundamentals (KS4) • Biology Fundamentals (KS4) • Chemistry Fundamentals (KS4) http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/science

Key content The Year 9 Art course enables pupils to draw on skills by recording observations, analysing and evaluating images, objects and artefacts and by developing and exploring ideas. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/art-and-technology We aim to promote the development of our students as healthy, independent and responsible members of society. PSHE is combined with BRIDGES at Key Stage 3.

The BRIDGES framework has been designed to summarise the main character traits and learning dispositions that we believe are fundamental to being an effective learner and to success and fulfilment in life grouped under the headings Bravery, Resourcefulness, Integrity, Discovery, Grit, Emotional Intelligence and Self Discipline. All Key Stage 3 students have a BRIDGES-PSHE lesson with their form tutor every Monday morning and revisit one or two new habits of mind or learning characteristics every two weeks through a special BRIDGES assembly so that.

PSHE themes covered: Emotional wellbeing, Career choices, Financial capability, Personal wellbeing, Taking risks.

Subject Key content Computing Students study Computing for 2 lessons a week on rotation with Art &

Drama

Geography

History

Technology.

• Introduction to Computer Science • Systems Modelling • Systems Life Cycle • Programming Project http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/computing The content of the Drama curriculum is rich and varied with learning that is; • text-based - exploring Shakespeare and other plays practically whilst also developing literacy skills • issue-based - for example, exploring civil rights, peer pressure, social isolation etc. helping students to develop their empathy skills • skills-based - for example, learning practical techniques in masked drama, physical theatre and voice work Assessment focuses on three main areas of Drama learning: Creating - This area of Drama helps students to develop their creative and collaborative skills and every single Drama lesson includes an element of group work.

Performing - This area of Drama helps students to develop presentation and communication skills.

Responding - This area of Drama develops students speaking and listening skills, through discussion of key concepts and evaluation of drama work, enabling students are able to develop verbal reasoning skills and the art of constructive criticism.

Year 9 gives students an opportunity to sample some elements of the GCSE Drama course, giving them a taster of what Drama learning will be like at KS4 and a chance to be assessed against GCSE exam criteria. Students working on longer-term projects, with a greater degree of independence and creativity. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/drama In Year 9, students are taught the 3 subjects separately by specialist teachers.

They receive 2 hours of History, 2 hours of Geography and 1 hour of Religious Education per week. The curriculum is designed to build on previous learning with a particular focus on preparing the students for GCSE and the skills required. For Geography, students study extreme environments, contrasting Brazil, global tourism, India and globalisation and coasts. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/humanities In Year 9, students are taught the 3 subjects separately by specialist teachers.

They receive 2 hours of History, 2 hours of Geography and 1 hour of Religious Education per week. The curriculum is designed to build on previous learning with a particular focus on preparing the students for GCSE and the skills required. For History, students study World War I, World War II, the collapse of the Empire and growth of the Commonwealth, and civil rights. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/humanities

Subject Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish)

Music & Big Band

PE

RE

Technology

Key content In Year 9, all students study either French or Spanish.

• Home and daily life • Arranging a date • Holidays • Food • Fashion • Paris (French)/ Barcelona (Spanish) http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/modern-foreignlanguages • Samba Drumming • Samba Singing & Playing • Start a Band (Popular Song) • In the Hall of the Mountain King • Silent Film Music Through Big Band lessons, every form group is transformed into a big band.

Students tackle a couple of set works each term and develop a catalogue of great tunes they can play on their own or in an ensemble. We learn to improvise, to play by ear and to read from notation. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/music Students experience a broad range of activities covering all areas of the National Curriculum: • Outwitting an opponent – Football, Netball, Handball, Striking and Fielding • Accurate Replication – Badminton, Table Tennis • Exercising Safely and Effectively – Health Related Fitness • Performing at Maximum Levels – Athletics Identifying and solving problems, along with exploring and communication emotions and ideas, are considered in the context of the above activities. As well as the above, students also cover theoretical knowledge in the build up to GCSE P.E., embedded in their practical lessons and independent learning tasks. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/pe In Year 9, students are taught the 3 subjects separately by specialist teachers.

They receive 2 hours of History, 2 hours of Geography and 1 hour of Religious Education per week. The curriculum is designed to build on previous learning with a particular focus on preparing the students for GCSE and the skills required. For Religious Education, students study ethics, Judaism, women in religion, creation and minor world religions. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/humanities This course covers four specialisms: Resistant Materials, Graphics, Food and Textiles. Each specialism exposes the students to a range of skills and techniques which they will apply and develop during Key Stage 3 and beyond.

We teach students how to think about, design and plan for making; how to develop ideas, and write and speak with an academic Design and Technology approach. They will model and develop excellent skills through mini designing and making projects including bookmark making, a juggling ball project, patchwork quilt design and USB design. http://isaacnewtonacademy.org/secondary/curriculum-areas/art-and-technology