Year 8 to Year 9 Options 23/24

Year 8 to Year 9 Options

All students (whether currently at King Edward’s or new applicants) entering into the Year 9 are asked to make choices about the range of subjects that they will study.

All pupils study, or continue to study, the subjects below: English History Mathematics Geography Biology Religious Studies Chemistry Physical Education & Games Physics

We then ask pupils to choose a further five subjects to study alongside the mandatory ones listed above.

This can be either Two languages + 3 option subjects or Three languages + 2 option subjects.

Languages

All pupils study at least two languages in Year 9.

Current pupils will continue to study their Modern Foreign Language 1, that being the language first started in the First Year. For their Modern Foreign Language 2 they have the option to continue to study their current Modern Foreign Language 2, i.e. the language started at the beginning of the Second Year, or switch to Italian or Latin.

Pupils joining the school next year must pick two languages from French, German, Spanish, or Italian. It is expected that one language will have been studied for at least two years, and that the other will have been studied for at least one year – unless opting for Italian which is taught as a beginners language.

It is possible to study three languages, in which case one will be Latin.

If you decide on two languages, you can add any three subjects from the list below, whilst if you decide on three languages, you can add two subjects from the list below:

Art*, Design and Technology*, Music*, Drama*, Computer Science, or Classical Civilisation.

Please note that whether choosing two or three subjects from this list, at least one must be a creative subject, marked *

Deputy Head (Academic): Dr B M Waymark bmw@kes.hants.sch.uk

Year 8 to Year 9 Information

Thinking Ahead to GCSE Options

Please note that it will not be possible to begin a new additional language at the beginning of the Year 10.

It is preferable, but not essential, for those intending to take Design and Technology, Drama, Music, Art, Classical Civilisation, or Computer Science at GCSE to study the subject in Year 9.

You will be making more wide-ranging option choices next year, before entering Year 10. However, you will be able to make more important decisions about your languages.

If in twelve months’ time you decide you want to take only one modern language to GCSE, you will only be able to choose a language that you have studied in Year 9.

For students joining King Edward VI School in Year 9:

- Although two languages must be studied in Year 9, only one needs to be taken through to GCSE. This decision is made in twelve months’ time.

- If you have only studied one language in your current school you must pick that and Italian.

- Should you need any advice regarding language options please do not hesitate to contact Mr A J Sinclair (Head of Languages) ajms@kes.hants.sch.uk

For current Second Year King Edward VI School students:

All pupils must study at least one modern European Language at GCSE, which will have been studied during Year 9.

- If you do carry on with your second modern language or Latin, or you take up Italian as a new language in Year 9, you don’t have to follow it right through to IGCSE – you make the decision whether to carry on with it in twelve months’ time.

- If you wish to take other non-language subjects at GCSE in Year 10 it is preferable to take it as an option subject in Year 9, although not essential.

- Take lots of advice – from your tutor, your teachers, heads of department, Mrs Leatham or Dr Waymark. Visit the Guidance Centre and talk to the careers team.

Although every effort will be made to match everyone’s choices, unfortunately it is impossible to guarantee that you will be given all your preferences. Various timetabling pressures mean that a few people may be unable to do their preferred combination, which is why we ask you to list alternatives.

Deputy Head (Academic): Dr B M Waymark bmw@kes.hants.sch.uk

Subject Options

ArtThe Art course in Year 9 is predominately technique-based, the main aim to give pupils the opportunity to explore as many different materials and processes as possible in preparation for GCSE but also to make the year dynamic and fun. The topics are designed like an art foundation course and aims to encourage experimentation as having investigating materials and process.

Typically, a Year 9 artist will get the experience of working in plaster casting and carving, clay modelling, lino relief printing, dry point, painting and drawing in the broadest sense.

Projects usually last half a term and considerable emphasis is placed on pupils gaining awareness of the work of different artists and cultures. We look at a wide range of influences from Fine art to fashion illustration and everything in between. We have also taken students on trips such as a visit to the Harry Potter film studios to see the artwork that is behind the scenes. We also exhibit students finished pieces so they see their work in a professional setting.

The department is well equipped in a new building with spacious creative open studios. The department has excellent printmaking facilities, large kiln, ceramic wheels, small darkroom and specialist Apple iMac suite running Adobe Creative Cloud and giclée printer. We have one the best art libraries of any school with titles covering Fine Art to Sculpture, Graphic design and Art History. The studios are regularly open after school and lunchtimes for students to work in lovely creative environment. We have a dedicated gallery.

Head of Department: Mr G L Piggott glp@kes.hants.sch.uk

Classical Civilisation

This course is ideal for students who enjoy the classical world of the Greeks and the Romans but who do not necessarily wish to pursue the language. A variety of topics will be studied. These will include the early Minoan Civilisation with the Myth of Theseus and The Minotaur, Sparta and Classical Theatre, along with the Romans in Britain, their leisure and entertainment activities and the notion of the Roman hero in mythology.

This is a very diverse subject with something for everyone. The ancient world still informs the present and there will be plenty of discussion on comparison of values and lifestyles as well as appreciation of the influences on our own culture. There will be opportunities for research, project work and student presentations and students will develop a wide range of transferable skills, including assessment of ancient visual and written material and critical and evaluative writing. During the year there will also be a museum visit to the Roman Baths in Bath to support the topics studied.

Head of Department: Mrs J M Meredith jmm@kes.hants.sch.uk

Classics - Latin

Your foundations of Latin grammar have been already been laid and therefore Year 9 consolidates this within the familiar story approach of the Cambridge Latin Course. The background element provides more fascinating information about Roman society and the year 9 material is some of the best in the course. The whole object of the Cambridge Latin Course is to prepare pupils to read some gems of real Latin Literature, which are begun in Year 10 and studied for GCSE. It is then possible to see tangible rewards for learning Latin, in reading some of the greatest writings of ancient Rome, which have relevance even today.

Those who enjoy Latin are encouraged to bear in mind that they are already two years along the road to GCSE, since everything done so far counts towards it. If Latin is discontinued at this stage, it cannot be picked up again later and there will be few opportunities to study it in later life. Latin is a very broad subject and provides training in several valuable skills, linguistic, literary and historical, which make it highly regarded.

Head of Department: Mrs J M Meredith jmm@kes.hants.sch.uk

Year 8 to Year 9 Options

Computer Science

A science certainly, but also about art and language.

For current Year 8 students at King Edward VI School, computer science develops many of the themes introduced in Years 7 and 8 IT and Computing. It is though more akin to GCSE Computer Science and this year aims to prepare you for GCSE using a practical approach in class.

Think about this. The more challenging problem is not to play chess but to write the code that will play chess.

Even though it is technical, it is a work of art. This is a creative subject. You will get a level of satisfaction in developing the tools and language to create.

This year will develop the following:

Problem solving skills: Understanding how to break larger problems down. How to express these in a formal manner using Pseudocode ready to automate using a machine called a computer.

Learn a Computer language: You will be able to instruct a computer using the Python language and also explore the languages of the web.

Physical Computing and robotics: The Internet of things is upon us! Smart toasters are no longer a dream! Learn how microcontrollers coupled with sensors and motors are in increasingly more things from cars to fridges - what is their impact in an increasingly connected and automated world? - the Internet of things.

Cyber Security: One of the fastest and highest paying industries. Learn about how computers, mobile phones and networks are attacked and safeguarded.

Head of Department: Mr DG Cutler dgc@kes.hants.sch.uk

Design & Technology

Design and Technology in Year 9 gives pupils the chance to build on the skills and knowledge acquired previously. The increased complexity and challenges of the course allow pupils to gain further insight into Design and Technology in its many forms.

This year sees students utilising design and practical experiences to develop their own styles and ideas.

Students will be expected to apply experiences from their personal and social lives and a wide variety of other creative areas within their work when designing and making products.

The Year 9 course increases the complexity of practical tasks and the design work for students.

This year acts as a foundation to GCSE study and allows pupils to experience a blend of the three GCSE Design and Technology areas offered at King Edward’s.

Head of Department: Mrs A Blow amlb@kes.hants.sch.uk

Year 8 to Year 9 Options

Drama

The Year 9 Drama course offers students a comprehensive exploration of all aspects of drama and the theatre. The course has been designed to provide a well-rounded education for all students and is especially useful preparation for those considering Drama GCSE.

Through practical workshops, students have the opportunity to develop their performance skills, as well as exploring costume, set, lighting and sound design. They will learn how to approach scripted and devised performances and explore different staging techniques, including mask work and storytelling. Students will build their confidence when working with different groups and will learn how theatre production teams work to create each performance.

Head of Department: Mrs L A Gilmour lag@kes.hants.sch.uk

French

French at King Edward’s is taught in a lively and communicative way and the Year 9 programme should prove stimulating and rewarding to all pupils, whether studying French as their first or second modern language. By the end of the year, all French pupils should feel confident enough to continue with French in the Upper School.

Pupils in Year 9 continue the ‘Dynamo’ course which they began earlier in the Lower School. Pupils in their second year of French will meet six times a fortnight rather than four and use the ‘Dynamo 2’ textbook. Those who have studied French for longer at KES will follow the ‘Dynamo 3’ course and meet four times a fortnight. The aim is that all students will have a solid foundation before they embark on their IGCSE.

As well as the textbooks, pupils have access to complimentary resources on the Dynamo website and teachers can assign tasks and assignments accordingly. There are videos that accompany the course and pupils enjoy following a group of French teenagers and their adventures. As pupils will have become familiar with the Studio books already, this is a natural and straightforward progression for them.

French teachers work closely together to encourage and challenge all pupils. At this stage, all classes are mixed ability, allowing all pupils to access materials evenly. French teachers aim to open students’ eyes to the possibilities and opportunities of studying French at IGCSE. We are lucky to have a French assistant who organises a French speaking club every week and also sees pupils in lessons to work on their spoken French.

We have an annual visit from a French speaking theatre group, which allows students to appreciate the progress they have made in their French-learning journey and this coupled with further opportunities in the Upper School to explore the language, such as a biannual trip to Paris, means that our students truly grow in their knowledge and understanding of French culture and language.

French is the first or second language of many countries; France is our nearest continental neighbour and an important business partner and provides many leisure opportunities. Fluency in such a major language is an asset in many careers and the French department aims to engender passion from the outset in this excellent subject.

Head of Department: Ms K M Clement

kmc@kes.hants.sch.uk

German

German is the EU language with the largest number of native speakers and the second most commonly used scientific language in the world. Germany is also the world’s largest exporter and the financial capital of Europe, so a knowledge of German makes good business sense as well as providing the key to an understanding of much of our shared European literary and musical heritage.

The German Year 9 continuers’ course at King Edward’s continues the lively approach to language learning experienced by Year 8 beginners, using a range of up-to-date materials: course-books, frequent use of ICT, whether on individual devices or school computers, many online materials and DVDs. It continues to cover topics most likely to be of interest and relevance to young people - such as holidays, TV and film, food and hobbies - with a firm emphasis on communication and understanding. This approach is supported by an appreciation of language structure and regular access to our German language assistant, providing an ideal foundation for the Edexcel IGCSE course in Year 10 and Year 11. Extra resources are uploaded to the King Edward’s intranet and to Google Classroom, which can be accessed from home as well as in School, providing extra practice when it is needed.

The course also focuses on the culture and customs of the German-speaking nations of Germany, Austria and Switzerland and encourages contact with these countries. The Department offers a weekend trip to Cologne for Lower School students.

This is a stimulating course for pupils with the desire to acquire a major European language, which will be increasingly marketable in the UK as a direct result of the current national climate of low language uptake at GCSE.

Head of Department: Ms M J Gorbat mjg@kes.hants.sch.uk

Italian

In Year 9, a beginner’s Italian course is offered as a second Modern Language. Students are quickly introduced to the basics of this beautiful, musical language, spoken by about 70 million people natively and around a further 150 million worldwide as a non-native language.

This course is particularly suitable for strong, keen linguists, who already have a foundation in the romance languages. An intensive but enjoyable first year can lead to study of the language as an IGCSE in the Upper School, although at present no A level is offered. Grammatically, Italian shares roots closely with French and Spanish, however studies of Latin also help significantly, particularly with recognition of vocabulary. Lessons are taught over six periods per fortnight and students will have gained a good grasp of the language by the end of Year 9. Additionally, we have a native language assistant who works closely with the group on a fortnightly basis.

Learning Italian, knowing a language different from the more typical foreign languages taught at schools, allows students to stand out from the crowd, and will enable access to a fantastic country, culture and people.

A study trip to Italy of four or five days is offered during February half-term.

Head of Department: Mrs S Rugge-Price srp@kes.hants.sch.uk

Year 8 to Year 9 Options

Music

Music in Year 9 shifts focus to performance and practical music making. Through topics such as: film and video game music; Rock and Roll of the 1950’s and musical theatre students explore how these styles are created. Through practical tasks such as whole class performances or group project work, students can better understand the musical elements that make these genres successful and utilize the skills learnt in performing to aid their musical literacy.

Although many students who play musical instruments/ voice select the course, there is no requirement to learn a musical instrument/ voice in Year 9. Students should have a curiosity for the subject and be willing to enjoy the performance element. The course also includes workshop and concert trip opportunities specifically tailored to the topics and enrichment of Year 9 Music.

Music in Year 9 offers a creative approach to homework as students can use their cocurricular contributions to KES ensembles towards their homework. We encourage all Year 9 students to take part in one or more musical activity in the School, (such as Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia, Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Swing Band or Big Band) as this supports musical literacy and key skills such as resilience, organisation and creative problem solving.

In preparation for GCSE Music students will build composition skill and begin to master software such as Sibelius and Logic Pro for notation. The topics are designed to prepare students for the continued study of academic music into GCSE whilst maintaining a focus on practical, engaging music making above all.

Head of Department: Mr A Eadon ace@kes.hants.sch.uk

Spanish

Studying Spanish allows you to become increasingly competent in a major world language, it also means that at the end of Year 9 you will be able to choose which Modern Language to take as your core language for IGCSE.

The main advantage of Spanish is that it enables you to communicate with the 400 million people who have Spanish as their first language, whether that be on holiday in Spain or Latin America or in a work-related environment. The course also gives you an insight into some of the liveliest and most vibrant cultures on the planet.

The course in Year 9 is fast-moving and practical. The textbook Viva 2 and Viva 3 gives you a firm basis of the grammar and structure of the language for you to build on successfully. This is supplemented by online resources and the corresponding section on the school website, which students can access both at School and at home, as well as fortnightly contact with the language assistant in order to practise speaking.

Year 9 pupils traditionally travel to Spain with the Year 10’s at the beginning of the Easter holidays. Students take part in a Homestay programme in Córdoba, where they stay with families in pairs and attend Spanish lessons at a specialist language school.

Head of Department: Mrs E M Ladislao eml@kes.hants.sch.uk

In Summary

All Year 9 pupils study the core subjects:

English History Mathematics

Geography Biology

Religious Studies Chemistry Physical Education & Games

Physics

They then decide on the rest of their curriculum, i.e.

Either Two languages + 3 option subjects or Three languages + 2 option subjects

Please note:

The second modern languages courses assume a minimum of one year of previous study. If your son or daughter has taken only one modern language in their current school, please opt for Italian which is taught as a beginner’s class.

It will not be possible to begin a new additional language at the beginning of Year 10.

Deputy Head (Academic): Dr B M Waymark bmw@kes.hants.sch.uk