Year 8 Mini Options 2015

Year 8 Mini-Options 2014-15

Your son/ward has been studying a wide range of creative subjects in Year 7 and Year 8. Due to the national requirement on schools to maintain a sharp focus on gaining top GCSE grades in English and Mathematics, we are now going to provide time in the school week to accelerate progress in the creative subjects in Year 9, with the aim of maximising attainment for every student across the curriculum. Therefore, to allow time for more in-depth study of the creative subjects, you and your son/ward are now able to make some choices of study in Year 9. The choices are:

Two subjects from: Art, Drama, Music, and Design & Technology.

In Year 9, the two chosen subjects will then have double the lesson time, while the other two subjects will not appear on your sons/wards timetable. The focus on the selected subjects will be to develop the knowledge, application and skills to be highly successful at GCSE and then at post-16 level, if appropriate. Of course, the creative subjects form part of the curriculum, and our intention is that all students develop an appreciation for life-long learning throughout their time at school. We would also encourage students to make time for creative and practical activities at home and through the range of opportunities at school. This information sheet provides more details on the subjects available. Information on the process, some frequently asked questions and the key dates are contained within this leaflet. If you have any further questions or queries, please contact the school to attend one of the drop-in sessions (see back page), or, alternatively, you can contact me via email: [email protected]. Thank you for your support. Miss J Higginbottom Deputy Headteacher

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Subjects Art & Design Art & Design encourages pupils to be both adventurous and enquiring at the same time as being expressive with their work. In Year 9, you will be given the opportunity to develop practical skills with project-based activities, as well as exploring the work of art from different times and cultures. You will also be taught to pay attention to presentation and detail in their finished work, the perfect preparation for GCSEs. Year 9 Art & Design projects will include:

Dragons and Skateboards

Mixed media collage work

Pop Art

Print making

Drama The focus in Year 9 is on developing the key drama skills of rehearsal, performance and evaluation, by applying them to more challenging and adventurous work. You will explore a range of performance styles such as Naturalism, physical theatre and forum theatre. You will learn the skills required to interpret script before performing in a five-ten minute scripted section from Lord of the Flies. In the second term, you will develop your ability to work as an independent ensemble of performers, before starting work on devising your own original piece of work on a given theme. In the Summer Term, you will develop the skills required to write constructively and incisively about performance, before ending the year with a piece of storytelling theatre based on the true story of Lizzie Borden. Year 9 Drama projects will include: Acting skills for scripted work Scripted project Lord of the Flies Working as an ensemble Devising project based on the theme of

The Deep Blue Sea Writing about performance Storytelling the case of Lizzie Borden

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Music The focus in Year 9 is on developing your musicianship through performing, appraising and composing - the three key strands studied at GCSE level. This will be through looking at several different genres of music and exploring different instruments. Year 9 Music projects will include: Drumming explore the percussive

instruments of Africa, India and Latin America. Techniques covered include: call and response, improvisation, syncopation using vocals and percussion.

The Voice experimenting with

melodies, bassline and vocal percussion parts.

Stomp create an instrument from an

everyday item and use this to compose and perform an original piece of STOMP music.

Pop Song I compose a chord structure

for the basis of a song using specific techniques to vary chords.

Pop Song II compose a bassline to

accompany the chord structure from Pop Song I, using Cubase to edit and change ideas.

Pop Song III compose a melody to

finish the Pop Song project.

Design & Technology In Design & Technology, you will engage in a variety of creative and practical activities, and in so doing will be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an interactive process of designing and making. In particular, if you choose Design and Technology, you will develop your abilities in the following areas: How to embed programmable

electronic devices in an electronic product.

How to use CAD to produce realistic 3D images of product ideas.

How to use a 3D printer to produce

complex ideas. How to use a laser cutter and CNC

router to manufacture a product. How to safely develop cooking skills

through a variety of interesting and exciting recipes.

Next Steps Thursday 16 April Assembly to Year 8 students Thursday 16 April Information Sheet sent home Monday 20 April Further information starts in lessons Wednesday 22 April (3.00-3:30pm) Drop-In Session 1 Thursday 23 April (9.30-10.00am) Drop-In Session 2 Tuesday 5 May Online form emailed to students Monday 11 May Deadline for completing form

Frequently Asked Questions What are the best reasons for choosing my subjects?

You enjoy these subjects You are good at these subjects These subjects may link to future career aspirations.

If I drop a subject now, can I still take it as a GCSE option? It will be possible to study a subject in Year 10 if you have not studied it in Year 9. However, you will need to show that you have continued developing your skills in this area, through other activities inside and/or outside of school. I am having trouble deciding - what can I do?

Speak to your subject teachers Speak to your form tutor and/or Mr Dargan Ensure that parents/carers attend one of the drop-in sessions (contact main reception

to make an appointment).