Year 8
Creative and Languages
Choices
January 2022
CONTENTS Page 2
Introduction
4
Art & Design
5
Design & Technology
6
Drama
7
Computing & ICT
8
Music
9
Arabic
10
French
11
German
12
Spanish
13
Latin
INTRODUCTION The curriculum at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School is designed to enrich pupils in a broad range of subjects. During Year 7 every pupil studied a large number of subjects, many of these on a carousel. When the pupils moved into Year 8 they were asked to select two languages in order to provide space within the curriculum to study some subjects in greater depth. In Year 9 pupils make further choice in order to allow some subjects a greater proportion of curriculum time. Creative and Technical Subjects In Year 9 pupils will study three creative/technical subjects from: Art & Design (Fine Art & Graphic Communication), Design & Technology, Drama, Music and Computing & ICT. These subjects will have a greater number of lessons than in Year 8 and the pupils will begin to prepare for the GCSE course in terms of knowledge and skills. Languages The school provides an ambitious and exciting provision for all linguists. Every pupil will currently be studying two of the following languages which they chose at the end of Year 7: French German Latin Spanish Your child may continue to study their current chosen two languages. Alternatively, they may decide to begin to study Arabic instead of either of their current languages. The courses in French, German, Latin and Spanish are not designed for beginners, therefore no pupil may choose to begin learning these languages in Year 9. Many of the subjects listed above will need to be taken in Year 9 in order for students to be able to opt for them for GCSE. This is an important consideration when making choices for next year.
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Art & Design What are Art & Design: Fine Art and Art & Design: Graphic Communication?
In Art & Design pupils produce original and creative personal work. They are encouraged to explore a wide range of media and techniques e.g. drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, print making, collage and digital design. Pupils develop their skills and ideas through a series of sketchbooks and outcomes. Popular areas of study which usually require pupils to have studied Art & Design are Architecture, Graphic Communication, Digital Design, Film & Media, Industrial Design, Illustration, Animation and of course Fine Art.
What skills are involved/developed through the courses? • • • • • • • •
Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities Lateral thinking, resourcefulness, problem solving, ability to be reflective and make decisions Self-motivation, resilience, self-management, enthusiasm designing and presenting The ability to record observations and insights in visual and written form using a range of media Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement Independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal practical outcomes Knowledge and experience of real-world contexts and, where appropriate, links to the creative industries Knowledge and understanding of interrelationships between art, craft, design, media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures
What sort of pupil do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?
Art & Design courses suit any pupil who has an interest and passion for artistic experimentation. Pupils taking this course value the opportunity to investigate their own themes, to “think differently” and to enhance their ability in many transferable skills.
What’s the difference between Fine Art & Graphic Communication? Fine Art
In Art pupils will study genres such as portraiture, still life, landscape and abstract. They will study artists and designers mainly focussing on artists. Pupils may work in a range of media but tend to use drawing materials, paint, sculpting materials and photography.
Graphic Communication
In Graphic Communication pupils will study design topics such as poster design, logos, typography, and branding. They will study artists and designers mainly focussing on designers. Pupils may work in a range of media but tend to use drawing materials, printing processes, collage and digital design.
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Design & Technology What is Design & Technology
This course allows pupils to develop their understanding of problem solving. The course considers and uses a wide variety of systems and materials including electronics, mechanisms, polymers, metals, timbers and graphic materials. Pupils study each material area and undertake a number of making tasks to undertake to allow them to understand and master the practical aspect of the subject. Pupils will consider how we go about solving problems and will produce designs and models which will then lead to them making a working prototype of their chosen design solution. One of the contexts will be looking at is the use of Bluetooth technology. We will also be working on a team-based enterprise project
What skills are involved? •
• • • • • • •
Design and Engineering Thinking Skills; Analytical and intellectual skill, practical skill, creative and problem-solving capabilities. Problem Solving, Logical and Lateral thinking. Design and realisation skills; hand skills and in Computer Aided Design/ Manufacture. Design, construction, programming and problem solving of electronic systems. Self-motivation, resilience, self-management, enthusiasm designing and presenting The ability to record observations and testing, make reasoned evaluations and record thinking. Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement Independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal practical outcomes
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course? This course will suit a pupil who enjoys realising their ideas in three dimensions, students who are interested in changing the world around them and in solving problems through designing and making. Students who are keen on a hands-on approach to learning will find the approach particularly engaging. Pupils will gain competency in practical manufacturing technique used on metals and polymers as well as looking at timers. They will also develop their computer and electronics skills in a very practical and realistic way. The work undertaken allows pupils to showcase both their technical and creative abilities. For pupils considering Design Engineering at public examination level, this course is excellent preparation for the project-based approach undertaken at GCSE and A Level.
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Drama What is Drama?
The course covers the development of performance, devising and design skills through group practical work, improvisation, response to text and the appreciation of live professional theatre. Pupils will have the opportunity to create and evaluate their own pieces of theatre as performers and/or designers. Games and a playful approach, with the focus on experimentation and taking risks is at the heart of what we do.
What skills are involved?
In addition to exploring performance skills (for example: use of space, using clear intentions, choral movement, puppetry), pupils will also be given opportunities, through practical work, to develop design skills such as lighting and sound. They will examine and reflect on the choices made by their peers and professional theatre-makers to create meaning and develop their skills of description, analysis and evaluation.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
Pupils do not have to be confident or experienced performers but an interest in appreciating and making theatre, working with others and a willingness to bring energy, focus and a "have a go" attitude is helpful. Drama is an excellent way to develop confidence, communication, collaborative and creative skills and is therefore highly valued in all areas of study and in most future careers.
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Computing & ICT What is Computing & ICT?
In this course pupils will work creatively and collaboratively to develop their computational thinking skills. By establishing their own games company, they will develop project management and technical skills using a project-based approach. Pupils will be able to develop games using either a visual or text-based programming language for online and virtual reality gaming environments. They also develop a website and use online resources market their band “The Purple Spiders” and will understand how to use feedback to improve their website. They will also learn and develop their programming skills to solve problems. The open-ended brief beyond task allows our students to exemplify our values of ambition, curiosity, and courage through developing their understanding of the subject area. By working in teams, they are given opportunity to further represent our values of being a community.
What skills are involved?
The course builds on the visual programming techniques used in lower years, with an emphasis on how project management is used in the games development process. A range of development tools are available. Pupils will also learn advanced programming and marketing skills, HTML development, image manipulation and the effective presentation of documents. As pupils have scope to develop games of their own choice, this course will also strengthen pupils’ organisational skills and develop their ability to use IT tools creatively.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
Pupils who enjoy both problem solving; using a range of tools and independent projectbased work will find this course very satisfying. Developing their own game and establishing a game company requires pupils to be able to visualise an idea and then be able to decompose that idea into small achievable goals. This will allow them to showcase both their technical and creative abilities. Writing their own programs requires pupils to be able to think logically. For pupils considering reading Computer Science at public examination level, this course is excellent preparation for the project-based and collaborative approach undertaken at GCSE and A Level.
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Music What is Music?
We begin the GCSE course in Year 9, allowing pupils to have a taste of what Years 10 and 11 will entail should they choose to continue to GCSE. The course encompasses a wide range of musical styles and is sufficiently flexible to cater for a variety of musical tastes. It is based around the core musical elements of performing, composing and appraising.
What skills are involved?
Performing: Pupils should be learning an instrument and should be at a minimum standard of about Grade 2-3 at the start of the course. Both solo and ensemble performances will be undertaken. Composing and Appraising: These two elements are closely linked. Pupils will study a series of topics: Minimalism, pop music 1990s to the present, film and computer gaming music 1990s to the present, contemporary folk music of the British Isles, and piano music of Chopin and Schumann. In each case they will study examples of music from these topics and create short compositions based upon these styles. Pupils will have the opportunity to use the latest studio software such as Cubase and Dorico.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
Pupils need to have a good musical ear and the ability to play an instrument to at least Grade 2 or 3. They will develop an appreciation for many unfamiliar styles of music, further their composing and performing skills, and develop self-appraisal skills.
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Arabic Pre-requisite
This is a new subject and no prior study is required.
What is Arabic?
This is an ab initio course (i.e. one that requires no prior knowledge of Arabic) and is envisaged as the first year of a three-year GCSE course rather than as a one-year taster course. Because Arabic has a different script which must be mastered in the first instance, and because the ground to be covered in order to reach GCSE standard in three years is significant, this course is likely to be suitable only for pupils who have already enjoyed success with learning languages. However, pupils with the necessary ability and motivation will develop an understanding of the language in a variety of contexts as well as the ability to communicate effectively in Arabic and an awareness and understanding of countries and communities where Arabic is spoken.
What skills are involved?
As with the other language courses offered at Habs, this course equips pupils with a number of key transferable skills such as: communication (oral and written); analytical and logical thinking; creativity; literacy; independent learning; cultural and geographical awareness; teamwork; presentation skills.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
For the reasons outlined above, this course is likely to suitable linguists with a high degree of motivation and intellectual maturity. Even if you have some knowledge of Arabic, you should not assume that you will find it easy to make the required progress in this language if you have struggled with the languages you have already studied at Habs. The course will also appeal to culturally aware pupils and those who wish to gain an ‘exotic’ language skill which will certainly be of interest to future employers across a number of sectors.
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French Pre-requisite
Pupils need to have studied French in Year 8.
What is French?
The Year 9 French course provides a valuable opportunity to make significant progress towards GCSE. Building on the foundations laid in Years 7 and 8, pupils will develop their language skills in three key areas: grammatical awareness, comprehension and communication. As a result, they will become capable of understanding the language in a variety of registers as well as writing and speaking it increasingly accurately and fluently. The development of their language skills will take place within a framework of topics and issues of interest and relevance to young people in the French-speaking world. Pupils will also be strongly encouraged to participate in an exchange visit to France, which will further enhance their language skills as well as their personal and emotional maturity.
What skills are involved?
This course equips pupils with a number of key transferable skills such as: communication (oral and written); analytical and logical thinking; creativity; literacy; independent learning; cultural and geographical awareness; teamwork; presentation skills.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
You will be aware from your study of the language in Years 7 and 8 that well-motivated, enthusiastic, culturally aware and well-organised pupils will cope comfortably with the demands of the Year 9 course.
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German Pre-requisite
Pupils need to have studied German in Year 8.
What is German?
The Year 9 German course provides a valuable opportunity to make significant progress towards GCSE. Building on the foundations laid in Years 7 and 8, pupils will develop their language skills in three key areas: grammatical awareness, comprehension and communication. As a result, they will become capable of understanding the language in a variety of registers as well as writing and speaking it increasingly accurately and fluently. The development of their language skills will take place within a framework of topics and issues of interest and relevance to young people in the German-speaking world. Pupils will also be strongly encouraged to participate in an exchange visit to Germany (either Munich or Stuttgart), which will further enhance their language skills as well as their personal and emotional maturity.
What skills are involved?
This course equips pupils with a number of key transferable skills such as: communication (oral and written); analytical and logical thinking; creativity; literacy; independent learning; cultural and geographical awareness; teamwork; presentation skills.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
You will be aware from your study of the language in Years 7 and 8 that well-motivated, enthusiastic, culturally aware and well-organised pupils will cope comfortably with the demands of the Year 9 course.
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Spanish Pre-requisite
Pupils need to have studied Spanish in Year 8.
What is Spanish?
The Year 9 Spanish course provides a valuable opportunity to make significant progress towards GCSE. Building on the foundations laid in Years 7 and 8, pupils will develop their language skills in three key areas: grammatical awareness, comprehension and communication. As a result, they will become capable of understanding the language in a variety of registers as well as writing and speaking it increasingly accurately and fluently. The development of their language skills will take place within a framework of topics and issues of interest and relevance to young people in the Spanish-speaking world.
What skills are involved?
This course equips pupils with a number of key transferable skills such as: communication (oral and written); analytical and logical thinking; creativity; literacy; independent learning; cultural and geographical awareness; teamwork; presentation skills.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
You will be aware from your study of the language in Years 7 and 8 that well-motivated, enthusiastic, culturally aware and well-organised pupils will cope comfortably with the demands of the Year 9 course.
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Latin Pre-requisite
Pupil’s need to have studied Latin in Year 8.
What is Latin?
The Year 9 Latin Course builds on the grammatical foundations laid in the junior school and brings the Cambridge Latin Course narrative closer to completion. The story-based teaching format allows continued exploration of characterisation and plot, while also developing comprehension and linguistic skills in preparation for the GCSE years. Each stage of the course has an underlying theme concerning an aspect of Roman culture, encouraging a broad knowledge base and a strong sense of the influence of the Classical tradition on our modern lives.
What skills are involved?
The course improves literacy and promotes literary appreciation. Based on authentic material about the Roman Empire, it helps develop skills in handling historical evidence. It also offers scope for analytical thinking on ethical and moral issues raised by the customs and conduct of the Romans - some fictional and some actual – who are described in the stories. A combination of teamwork and individual tasks with presentations and projects are normal in the course of the year.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
Pupils who have found satisfaction in the challenge and puzzle-solving nature of Latin language in Years 7 and 8 but also those who enjoy discussing and learning about Roman culture and history will all enjoy this course.
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