2022/23 Year 9 Options

Options Year 9

Introduction

The curriculum at Haberdashers’ Boys’ School is designed to enrich students in a broad range of subjects. During Year 7, every student studied a large number of subjects, some of these on a carousel. When the students 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, students make further choice in order to allow some subjects a greater proportion of curriculum time.

In Year 9, students will study three subjects:

• Art and Design (Fine Art or Graphic Communication),

• Computer Science

• Design and Technology

• Drama

• Latin

• Music

These subjects will have a greater number of lessons than in Year 8 and the students will begin to prepare for the GCSE course in terms of knowledge and skills. The school also provides an ambitious and exciting provision for all linguists. Every student will currently be studying two of the following languages chosen at the end of Year 7: French, German or Spanish.

Your child may continue to study their current chosen two languages. Alternatively, students may decide to begin to study Russian instead of either of their current languages. The courses in French, German, and Spanish are not designed for beginners, therefore no student 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.

Students should complete the options form online using the link that will be sent out via email. The online form is open from Wednesday 18 January 2023 and will close at 12pm on Friday 27 January 2023.

Art and Design

In Art and Design, students produce original and creative personal work. They are encouraged to explore a wide range of media and techniques eg drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, print making, collage and digital design. Students develop their skills and ideas through a series of sketchbooks and outcomes. Popular areas of study which usually require students to have studied Art and Design are Architecture, Graphic Communication, Digital Design, Film and Media, Industrial Design, Illustration, Animation and of course Fine Art.

• 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

Art and Design courses suit any student who has an interest and passion for artistic experimentation. Students taking this course value the opportunity to investigate their own themes, to “think differently” and to enhance their ability in many transferable skills.

What is Art and Design: Fine Art and Art and Design: Graphic Communication?

What skills are involved/developed through the courses?

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

What is the difference between Fine Art and Graphic Communication?

FINE ART

In Art students will study genres such as portraiture, still life, landscape and abstract. They will study artists and designers mainly focussing on artists. Students may work in a range of media but tend to use drawing materials, paint, sculpting materials and photography.

GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

In Graphic Communication students will study design topics such as poster design, logos, typography, and branding. They will study artists and designers mainly focussing on designers. Students may work in a range of media but tend to use drawing materials, printing processes, collage and digital design.

Computer Science

What is Computer Science?

Computer Science combines the study of software, software and ICT (Information Communication Technology) skills. It is a discipline that includes the study of algorithms and data structures, hardware, software, network design, data modelling, information processes, and artificial intelligence amongst others.

What skills are involved/developed through the courses?

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. Students will also learn advanced programming skills and HTML and website development. Students will also learn about computer crime and security; artificial intelligence and machine learning, and algorithm design and problem solving. Students are expected to apply computational think skills in problem solving, including:

• Understanding the need to decompose a problem

• Ability to recognise patterns to enable reuse of solutions as templates

• Application of abstraction to refine what needs to be the focus of the solution

• Develop and design diagram-based (flow charts and structure diagrams) or text-based algorithms solutions

• Implement design solutions in a chosen computer language such as Python

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

Students who enjoy both problem solving; using a range of tools and independent project-based work will find this course very satisfying. To thrive in this subject, students need to have a personal drive for deep understanding of how computers work such as the working of the central processing unit; how computers affect our lives, especially in artificial intelligence. Furthermore, given the nature of programming and its use for problem solving, students that excel in the course have a love for learning programming and it’s underlying principles, algorithm development and interpretation and application of these skills to a vast area of learning. They will demonstrate creative skills borne out of a curious mind.

For students considering reading Computer Science at public examination level, this course is excellent preparation for GCSE and A Level.

Design and Technology

What is Design and 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.

Students study each material area and undertake a number of design and making tasks to allow them to understand and master the practical aspect of the subject. Students 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 teambased enterprise project.

What skills are involved/developed through the courses?

• Design and Engineering Thinking Skills; Analytical and intellectual skill, practical skill, creative and problemsolving 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

This course will suit a student 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.

Students will gain competency in practical manufacturing technique used on metals and polymers as well as looking at timers. Pupils will also develop their computer and electronics skills in a very practical and realistic way. The work undertaken allows students to showcase both their technical and creative abilities.

For students considering Design Engineering at public examination level, this course is excellent preparation for the project-based approach undertaken at GCSE and A Level.

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

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. Students 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/developed through the courses?

In addition to exploring performance skills (for example: use of space, using clear intentions, choral movement, puppetry), students 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 student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

Students 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.

Latin

What is Latin?

The Year 9 Latin Course builds on the grammatical foundations laid in Lower 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.

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.

Students 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.

What skills are involved/developed through the courses?

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

Students need to have studied Latin in Year 8

Music

What is Music?

We move to a greater focus on individual rather than group work in Year 9, allowing students 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/developed through the courses?

Students should be learning an instrument and should be at a minimum standard of about Grade 2 or 3 at the start of the course. Both solo and ensemble performances will be undertaken.

Composing and Appraising

These two elements are closely linked. Students will study a series of topics: Minimalism, song writing, film music, gamelan, cover songs, music for their own instrument. In each case they will study examples of music from these topics and create short compositions based upon these styles. Students will have the opportunity to use the latest studio software such as Cubase and Dorico.

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

Students 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.

Russian

As a Slavic language, Russian is part of a wider family of languages including Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Croatian and Serbian which have similar grammar and vocabulary. By choosing to learn Russian, you are opening the door to a whole new language family.

This course equips students 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 and presentation skills.

Given its accelerated nature, this course is particularly suitable for students who have enjoyed success in other languages. Well-motivated, enthusiastic, culturally aware and well-organised students should cope comfortably with the demands of the GCSE course. GCSE Russian will go some way towards providing students with the language skills that are currently so sought after by a range of employers. The course will also offer you the chance to broaden students’ cultural horizons and thus equip them to impress university admissions tutors when the time comes.

What is Russian?

What skills are involved/developed through the courses?

What sort of student do they suit and what will they get out of the courses?

Students may choose to begin studying Russian instead of either of their current Modern Languages.