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Key Stage Three

Subjects

Key Stage 3 is the first three years of secondary education. It ends with the Nationwide SATs examinations that are an important precursor to the GCSE’s. These grades are used as indicators to the grade quality of a pupil. Therefore, this penultimate stage in a child’s secondary education is structured around achieving a more academic quality to knowledge. This culminates towards more successful GCSE grades, and hopefully, higher educational aspirations.

Mathematics

English

Science

English

Reading

 

  • Comprehension – Understanding more complex texts and beginning to explore the area of sub-textual connotation (textual theory), especially within older texts i.e. Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
  • English Literature – Understanding a cross-section of topics based on Classic English literature and poetry. Includes recognising cultural references, working with language differences (meaning of words), Themes, Topics and Imagery.
  • Cultural Reading – Texts of different cultural and ethnic background.
  • Media Texts – Analysing visual differences of layout, structure and language between media-based texts (newspaper/ magazine articles).

Writing

 

  • Composition – Extensive use of grammar and application of style and form according to type of text. Understanding target audience, different texts and their effects
  • Formal and Informal Writing – Distinguishing different types of essay writing i.e. Descriptive, Factual, Controversial, Imaginative, Report, Article, Review and Letter Writing.
  • Punctuation and Spelling
  • Standard English and Language Structure – Grammar, Vocabulary and Spelling.

Mathematics

Year 7

 

  • Logic – two-way tables, sets and Venn diagrams
  • Arithmetic: Place Value – whole numbers, decimals
  • Graphs – directed numbers on number line, coordinates
  • Arithmetic: Addition and Subtraction of Decimals – money
  • Angles – basic geometry
  • Arithmetic: Multiplication of Decimals – whole numbers and decimals; money
  • Number Patterns and Sequences – nth term formulae
  • Arithmetic: Division of Decimals – whole numbers and decimals; money
  • Area and Perimeter – squares, rectangles, triangles
  • Arithmetic: Fractions – fundamental concepts
  • Data Collection and Presentation – collection, organisation and display
  • Arithmetic: Revision – recap of four rules for whole numbers, decimals, money
  • Searching for Patterns – nth terms for geometric sequences
  • Time, Timetables and Mileage Charts
  • Arithmetic: Negative Numbers – four rules
  • Algebra – linear equations
  • Arithmetic: Decimals and Fractions – conversion
  • Discrete Quantitative Data – organisation and analysis
  • Scale Drawing – lengths and angles
  • Arithmetic: Fractions – four rules
  • Probability of One Event – including addition law
  • Volume – cubes, cuboids, triangular prisms; capacity, density

Year 8

 

  • Mathematical Diagrams (extension to critical path analysis)
  • Factors
  • Pythagoras’ Theorem
  • Rounding and Estimating
  • Data Analysis – mode, median, mean, range for discrete ungrouped frequency
  • Nets and Surface Area
  • Ratio and Proportion (extension to inverse proportion)
  • Algebra: Brackets (extension to two brackets)
  • Arithmetic: Fractions and Percentages (extension to reverse problems)
  • Probability – Two Events – multiplication law, tree diagrams (extension to conditional probability)
  • Angles, Bearings and Maps – scale drawings
  • Formulae – including change of subject
  • Money and Time
  • Straight Line Graphs – linear extrapolation, correlation
  • Polygons – classification of quadrilaterals
  • Circles and Cylinders
  • Units of Measure – metric and imperial units
  • Speed, Distance and Time – distance/time and speed/time graphs
  • Similarity
  • Questionnaires and Analysis

Year 9

 

  • Base Arithmetic
  • Basic Operations
  • Indices and Standard Form
  • Fractions and Percentages
  • Linear Graphs and Equations
  • Probability
  • Transformations
  • Statistical Diagrams
  • Area, Perimeter and Volume
  • Sequences
  • Algebraic Manipulation
  • Angles, Constructions and Loci
  • Graphs, Equations and Inequalities
  • Estimation and Approximation
  • Trigonometry
  • Cumulative Frequency
  • Quadratic Functions
  • Sampling

Science

Unit 7

 

  • Unit 7A: Cells
  • Unit 7B. Reproduction
  • Unit 7C. Environment and feeding relationships
  • Unit 7D. Variation and classification
  • Unit 7E. Acids and alkalis
  • Unit 7F. Simple chemical reactions
  • Unit 7G. Particle model of solids, liquids and gases
  • Unit 7H. Solutions
  • Unit 7I. Energy resources
  • Unit 7J. Electrical circuits
  • Unit 7K. Forces and their effects
  • Unit 7L. The solar system and beyond

Unit 8

 

  • Unit 8A. Food and digestion
  • Unit 8B. Respiration
  • Unit 8C. Microbes and disease
  • Unit 8D. Ecological relationships
  • Unit 8E. Atoms and elements
  • Unit 8F. Compounds and mixtures
  • Unit 8G. Rocks and weathering
  • Unit 8H. The rock cycle
  • Unit 8I. Heating and cooling
  • Unit 8J. Magnets and electromagnets
  • Unit 8K. Light
  • Unit 8L. Sound and hearing

Unit 9

 

  • Unit 9A. Inheritance and selection
  • Unit 9B. Fit and healthy
  • Unit 9C. Plants and photosynthesis
  • Unit 9D. Plants for food
  • Unit 9E. Reactions of metals and metal compounds
  • Unit 9F. Patterns of reactivity
  • Unit 9G. Environmental chemistry
  • Unit 9H. Using chemistry
  • Unit 9I. Energy and electricity
  • Unit 9J. Gravity and space
  • Unit 9K. Speeding up
  • Unit 9L. Pressure and moments
  • Unit 9M. Investigating scientific questions