Year 8 Term 3 and 4

art

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Other Cultures: A range of tasks looking at how other cultures have visually recorded and have inspired art.	Graded: Emerging/Developing/Mastering/ Excelling. Continual assessment.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Other Cultures (continued)	Continual assessment. Specific dated assessment.

bELIEFS AND ETHICS

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
War, Peace and Justice What are the causes of war today? What are the consequences of war today?	No formal assessment this term
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
War, Peace and Justice Should we use weapons of mass destruction? Can terrorism ever be justified?	Should we use weapons of mass destruction?

Computer Science

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
In Term 3, Year 8 Computing will cover two key modules: E-Safety and Data Representation. The E-Safety module will focus on critical topics such as understanding and addressing cyberbullying, creating and managing strong passwords, and strategies for protecting personal information online. These lessons aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. The Data Representation module will introduce students to the fundamentals of how data is stored and processed in computers. Topics will include the binary number system, image representation, file compression techniques, and the ASCII system for text representation, providing students with a deeper understanding of the principles behind digital technology.	Assessment for both modules will include short quizzes embedded within lessons to check understanding and reinforce key concepts. At the end of each module, students will complete an assessment to evaluate their comprehension of the topics covered. These assessments are designed to ensure students develop both their digital literacy and computational thinking skills.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
In Term 4, Year 8 Computing will focus on a single module: Systems Architecture. This module explores the foundational components and concepts of modern computing systems. Students will learn about the role and functions of operating systems, the basics of computer networks, and emerging technologies shaping the future of computing. Additionally, the module will delve into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), helping students understand their applications and impact on society. These lessons aim to provide a comprehensive overview of how technology integrates and evolves in our everyday lives.	Assessment will include short quizzes during lessons to reinforce key ideas and concepts. At the end of the module, students will complete a comprehensive assessment to evaluate their understanding of systems architecture and emerging technologies. These assessments are designed to ensure students develop a strong foundational knowledge of computing systems and their practical applications.

Design Technology

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
In DT students will rotate around 4 subject areas and IT during the year. Students spend approximately 7 weeks in each subject area and then move on. Whilst in each of the areas students will learn what a Design brief is and how it applies in different material areas, what user needs are and how to meet them with the design of their product. They will be building on foundation skills learnt in Year 7. Electronics: Students will make a portable battery powered fan. The project reinforces soldering technique and introduces students to a wider range of components including motors. Students accurately measure, customise and cut a line bent HIPs casing for their product. Students also explore advanced drawing techniques such as orthographic projection. Food & Nutrition: In Year 8 students will be looking at eating a healthy balanced diet and food from a range of different cultures. Students will gain the confidence to cook a main meal and it is our hope that students will be able to repeat the meals we make in school for dinner at home. Theory: Students look at Food Provenance – where our food comes from, what the function of ingredients are in a recipe and what Fusion food is. They are taught to create their own fusion dishes considering the choice of the ingredients based on maximising nutrition, taste and visual appeal. The dishes made in Year 8 are Savoury Rice, Fajitas, Spicy Sausage casserole and Lemon Drizzle cake. Please note that all recipes and cooking dates will be on Edulink, we have also introduced a recipe book which they will be given at the start of their food rotation. Students need to bring a container with a locking lid to take their food home in. Product Design: Students in year 8 will produce a phone stand from plywood, developing the skills they would need should they choose to take product design at GCSE. They will learn to mark out accurately, saw using different saws, chisel and finish their phone stands to a high quality outcome. They will also gain an understanding of what a product analysis is and why they are useful to designers, as well as learning about different timber materials including their properties and uses. Textiles: Students will be celebrating Food as Art, creating a textile case including a motif of their favourite food, using recycled fabric. They will be challenged to “draw with scissors” and layer fabrics to create an illustrative textile outcome.	In each DT area students will be assessed on and receive a grade for their Design work – during the rotation and at the end as well as their Finished Practical outcome.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Same as term 3	Same as term 3

Drama

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Verbatim Theatre Explore a range of real-life experiences from a range of time periods and cultures Develop ability to use other people’s words as script work in order to create engaging and meaningful performance	Students will be assessed in the following ways: Mid unit assessment, focusing on a range of acting skills and techniques. End of Unit assessment – focusing on a range of skills and developing target areas from previous assessment Verbal teacher feedback will be provided each lesson to support and guide pupils with practical work. Each lesson will consist of a range of opportunities for self and peer assessment to track progress across a variety of skills
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Theatre in Education – Chicken Develop use of text in performance Explore series of real-life events through medium of theatre Rehearsing and creating devised performances Exploring the idea of empathy with characters	Students will be assessed in the following ways: Mid unit assessment, focusing on a range of acting skills and techniques. End of Unit assessment – focusing on a range of skills and developing target areas from previous assessment Verbal teacher feedback will be provided each lesson to support and guide pupils with practical work. Each lesson will consist of a range of opportunities for self and peer assessment to track progress across a variety of skills

English Language & Media

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
8.3 War Writing Students will read the play Journey’s End set during WW1 and use this context to inspire a range of transactional (non-fiction) writing tasks.	Formative: written questions on subject knowledge and a transactional writing task. Summative: written questions on subject knowledge and a transactional writing task.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
8.3 War Writing Students will read the play Journey’s End set during WW1 and use this context to inspire a range of transactional (non-fiction) writing tasks.	Formative: written questions on subject knowledge and a transactional writing task. Summative: written questions on subject knowledge and a transactional writing task.

English Literature

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
8.4 Poetry Structures Students will read a range of poems using different structures (e.g. patterns and layout on the page). They will focus particularly on the history of the sonnet as a poetic structure over time. They will also do some creative writing of their own poems.	Formative: written questions on comprehension, vocabulary and personal viewpoints. Summative: written questions on comprehension, vocabulary and personal viewpoints.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
8.4 Poetry Structures Students will read a range of poems using different structures (e.g. patterns and layout on the page). They will focus particularly on the history of the sonnet as a poetic structure over time. They will also do some creative writing of their own poems.	Formative: written questions on comprehension, vocabulary and personal viewpoints. Summative: written questions on comprehension, vocabulary and personal viewpoints.

Geography

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Population  Where do people live and why? Census Migration Migration place study	How is population spread across the world
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Migration Push and Pull factors Causes of migration Examples of European migration Poland to UK	Benefits and challenges of migration to host and source countries

German

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Discussing foods, including traditional German foods and using recopies. Describing healthy lifestyles, daily routine and talking about festivals. Developing note taking skills and using language creatively.	Cumulative scores from 5 vocabulary quizzes Writing: 4 bullet point question (FQ4/HQ1)
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Discussing foods, including traditional German foods and using recopies. Describing healthy lifestyles, daily routine and talking about festivals. Developing note taking skills and using language creatively.	Cumulative scores from 5 vocabulary quizzes Translation: English to Spanish

Humanities

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Causes of WW1 Events of WW1 and tactics Life in the trenches Propaganda and recruitment	Causes of WW1
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Democracy & Dictatorship Rise of the Nazis Life in nazi Germany Terror and propaganda Youth in nazi Germany	Hitler coming to power

Life Skills

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Healthy Relationships & Sex Education Consent Sexting and Sharing Images The Dangers of Pornography The Manosphere and Misogyny Gender Stereotypes Domestic Conflict Tolerance and Respect Online Challenges	Life Skills is not subject to assessment. However, informal assessment takes place to guarantee progress towards the Learning Objectives.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Careers - Doers Careers - Investigative Careers - Creative Careers – Helper Careers – Persuader Careers - Organiser	Life Skills is not subject to assessment. However, informal assessment takes place to guarantee progress towards the Learning Objectives.

Mathematics

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Brackets, equations and inequalities – forming expressions, expanding brackets and factorising, solving equations with brackets, solving simple linear inequalities; solving equations and inequalities with unknowns on both sides; identify and use formulae, expressions, identities and equations Sequences – generate sequences from a rule in words and algebraically; find the nth term of a linear sequence Indices – collecting like terms involving indices; simplifying expressions with indices by multiplying and dividing; powers of powers
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Fractions and percentages – convert between fractions, decimals and percentages; find fractions, decimals and percentages of an amount; percentage increase and decrease using multipliers; expressing one amount as a percentage of another; calculating percentage change; reverse percentages Standard index form – working with numbers above 1 and between 0 and 1 in standard form; add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers in standard form; negative and fractional powers	One hour assessment covering data, probability, equations and inequalities, sequences, indices

Music

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Instruments of the Orchestra Learning about the families of the orchestra and how to identify different instrument sonorities. Basics of Cubase. Composing fanfares using Cubase to record and refine composition work. Reading rhythm notation. Reinforcing treble clef notation reading.	Listening test at the end of the unit. Mini listening assessments in lessons. Fanfare composition assessment.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Band Skills - Extending guitar skills from Year 7 – greater range of chords. Developing strumming technique. History of the Blues. 12 bar blues chord progression. Walking Bass. Improvisation in the Blues scale.	Carousel of instrumental skills assessment Ensemble Performance assessment.

PE

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Interhouse HRE Football GYM OAA Hockey * all students within the year group will participate within this activity.	Verbal formative assessment of skills and knowledge and understanding in conditioned and competitive conditions. Completion of core task at beginning and end of block of work.
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Interhouse HRE Football GYM OAA Hockey	Verbal formative assessment of skills and knowledge and understanding in conditioned and competitive conditions. Completion of core task at beginning and end of block of work.

Science

Curriculum Information Term 3 and 4

Assessment information Term 3 and 4

Genes 2 part 1

Natural selection
Biodiversity
Extinction

Genes 2 part 2

Genetic material
Chromosomes
Variation
Genetic crosses

Reactions 2 part 1

Exothermic reactions
Endothermic reactions
Catalysts

Reactions 2 part 2

Combustion
Fuels
Thermal decomposition
Conservation of mass

Energy 2 part 1

Doing work
Thermal energy
Heating

Energy 2 part 2

Conduction, convection and radiation
Conduction and insulation

All groups will also have 1 lesson a fortnight where they develop their Working Scientifically skills.

Weekly EDUCAKE homework (www.educake.co.uk)

throughout the year.

Always set on a Monday, Due in on a Sunday (last Sunday of a holiday if the homework was set on the last week of a term).

Every topic will have a part 1 and part 2 assessment (approximately 20-25 marks) to track progress through the year.

Spanish

Curriculum Information Term 3	Assessment information Term 3
Comparing towns and homes in the UK and Spain. Describing home & local area in the present and the past.	Cumulative scores from 5 vocabulary quizzes Writing: 4 bullet point question (FQ4/HQ1)
Curriculum Information Term 4	Assessment information Term 4
Comparing towns and homes in the UK and Spain. Describing home & local area in the present and the past.	Cumulative scores from 5 vocabulary quizzes Translation: English to Spanish