Year 8

Welcome to Year 8

Communicating with you

Our Family Communication App is Class Charts and it is available on IOS and Android. This app will:

Allow you to view information and keep up to date with what’s going on in school.
Allow you to view key information about how your child is doing in school.
Inform you about your child’s activity, including school letters, attendance, visits and events in school.
Allow you to send and receive free messages to and from school via your mobile device.

We will also send home progress reports three times a year, this will give you information about your child’s attendance, punctuality and application to learning for each subject.

Your Team

Our team will be here to support Year 7 students through their transition to secondary school and their first year at Beckfoot.

Miss Sears – Head of Year 8
Mr Mehmood – Pastoral Manager
Mr Midgley – Head of Key Stage 3
Mr Wade – Headteacher
Mrs Denham – Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr Barnes – SENDCO

Should you ever have concerns or queries, please contact the school on 01274 771444.

Wider Opportunities

Year 8 Enrichment – We are committed to providing as many enrichment activities as possible for our students.

Trips and experiences run throughout the year and can range from residential trips, subject-specific trips and reward trips.

Enrichment Week is the final week of school before Summer, where students will have the opportunity to take part in an activity of their choice.

SSAT Awards, the Student Leadership Accreditation is an innovative way of recognising students’ leadership skills and the impact that they have in the classroom, across the school, and in the wider community.

Subject	Cycle 1	Cycle 2	Cycle 3
Art	Semi-abstract art – Annibot (animal robot) isometric design Architectural styles – Ceramic fireplace (candle holder) design and sculpture	Architectural styles – sculpture embellishment Cubist portrait – lino production print	Abstraction – mixed media drawing
Computer Science	Data Representation: Students will explore how data is stored and represented digitally Small basic programming: Students will learn fundamental programming concepts using small basic, developing problem-solving and logical thinking skills	Computer Hardware: Students will explore the key components of computer hardware, understand how data is processed, and learn about the various types of storage devices	Logic Gates: Students will focus on understanding the principles of logic gates and how they are used to form digital circuits
Design Technology	Product Design – Container Students are introduced to more advanced product design in view of making an end product of a container, students will work with a range of marking out and practical equipment to produce and end outcomes. Students will learn about logo design, types of plastic and SMSC issues in product design.	Food – Multicultural festival food Students will be introduced to more advanced food technology in view of making a final dish of their choosing. Students will work with a range of equipment and oven features as they learn about different food cultures and environmental issues associated with food.	Textiles – Selfie art Students will be introduced to more advanced textiles through creating a range of samples in view of making an end product of a selfie art inspired cushion. Students will work with a range of marking out and practical equipment to produce an end outcome.
English	Remarkable lives: Students will develop their understanding of the autobiographical form and use their knowledge to produce their own written piece. Macbeth-tragedy: Students will deepen their understanding of the tragedy form as they begin to understand what makes Macbeth a tragic play and the contextual backdrop of it.	War poetry: Students will learn about war poetry, exploring why soldiers chose poetry to express their experiences and feelings. Letter writing: Students will learn about the importance of letters and produce their own to voice an opinion in a letter to the council.	Ghosts and ghouls: Students will be introduced to Gothic conventions and be exposed to a range of Gothic texts. The Woman in Black: Students will build on their prior knowledge of the Gothic and analyse the supernatural conventions in the modern novel and consider the protagonists development throughout the novel.
Geography	Volcanoes: Students will gain an introduction to plate tectonics and natural hazards, as they focus on the cause and impacts of volcanic eruptions. They will be able to identify constructive and destructive plate boundaries and describe how movement can cause volcanic eruptions.	Urban geography: Students will understand the concepts of urbanisation and growth in UK cities and compare opportunities and challenges of urbanisation in HIC’s and LIC’s. Students will also look at sustainable urban living. Environmental issues: Students will look at global warming and extreme weather and begin to assess sustainable solutions. They will also assess the impact of human activity in ocean ecosystems.	Development in the Horn of Africa: Introduction to the concept of development, development gaps and inequality, as students learn about concepts of poverty and the promotion of economic development. They will be able to explain the causes of inequality in development and suggest strategies to reduce inequalities.
History	How revolutionary was the French revolution? Students will be able to explain concepts like monarchy and democracy and explain why the English Civil War and the French Revolution happened and assess how much impact they have on the way in which their countries were ruled How far did life change in the Industrial Revolution? Students will be able to explain the concept of industrialisation and analyse sources to explain how the revolution changed Britain and affected different groups	How did the British Empire change the world? Students will be able to explain key concepts such as imperialism and independence as they explain how Britain formed it’s empire and assess its impact on different places Why did the slave trade last so long? Students will be able to explain how the Transatlantic Slave Trade began and make links to how it helped the Industrial Revolution. They will also form judgements on why it was abolished and how it continued to affect the lives of freed people and the modern world today	Why was WW1 called the ‘war to end all wars’? Students will explain why both world wars started and explain the significance of key turning points in each war and their impacts on consequences How did ordinary people protest for their rights in Britain? Students will be able to explain how ordinary people fought for their rights in the 19th and 20th centuries and how effective these campaigns were
PSHCE	Living in the wider world: careers – Career choices, study skills, pathways to your future, types of work, challenging stereotypes, factors affecting financial decisions and managing emotions and risk Health and wellbeing: Physical healthy – Road safety, weight, immunisations and vaccinations, healthy eating, vaping, knife crime, bone, muscles and joints	Health and wellbeing: Mental health – Defining stigma, nutrition and exercise, positive relationships, bereavement and coping strategies and know your selfie Relationships – Stable relationships, strong emotions, roles in a family, sexism in the media and adoption	Relationships – Oversharing online, cybercrime, online risks to consent, discrimination and prejudice, cyberbullying, upholding your right and those of others online Living in the wider world: Beckfoot, Britain and beyond – Year 9 options, rule of law, role of citizens, parliament and monarch, SMSC: Define spiritual, moral, social and cultural
Maths	Number – negatives, rounding Geometry and measure – draw lines and angles, area, perimeter and volume, Pythagoras Algebra – expanding and simplifying expressions, equations Ration, proportion and rates of change – scales Statistics – scatter graphs	Number – BIDMAS and decimals, fractions, percentages Algebra – sequences, inequalities, simultaneous equations Statistics – data types, averages, data representation Geometry and measure – Transformations 1 Ratio, proportion and rates of change – ratio	Algebra – linear graphs Geometry and measures – 2D and 3D shapes Probability
Performing Arts	Film Trailer: Students will be introduced to working in a group to devise their own performance of a film trailer montage utilising techniques to persuade an audience. World War 1: Students will begin staging more complex devised work as they use their skills to create mood, atmosphere, and communicate more detailed characters.	Melodrama and pantomime: Students will be introduced to the techniques used in pantomime as they perform exaggerated characters in the style of slapstick and melodrama. Styles of dance: Students will develop their dance performance skills to engage and audience as they perform three dances in three different styles.	Romeo and Juliet: Student will develop their stagecraft skills through staging a Shakespearean classic text and bring together all of their performance skills, stagecraft skills, drama and dance techniques to stage a scene from the play, as they explore mood and atmosphere.
German	Oracy: Revision of adjectives and opinions to describe a photo and give opinions on it to allow students to speak with increased confidence and better pronunciation. Die Ferien: Students will gain a cultural insight into places in Germany while using new vocabulary and grammatical concepts.	Bist du ein Medienfan? Pupils will express views and opinions about books, TV shows, films and the internet. Bleib gesund! Pupils will express opinions on a healthy lifestyle and what one should and shouldn’t do.	Klassenreisen machen Spaβ: Students will learn key vocabulary to do with the house and home. Berlin – cultural capital: Pupils are able to explore the sights of modern day Berlin and become familiar with key features of the city while discussing the cities complex history.
Music	Music and advertising: Students will compose jingles and explore the role of music in branding, understanding underscore and voiceovers Blues: Students will study the 12-bar blues, improvisation, and syncopation while learning about its historical links to slavery	Pop music: Students will explore catchy hooks, baselines, and music technology, arranging their own pop songs Film music: Students will learn about leitmotifs, underscoring, and composing music for film scenes	Latin American Music: Students will perform tango and samba rhythms, developing complex rhythmic and harmonic skills Hip hop: Students will learn about the cultural impact of hip hop music as they write and perform rap lyrics, exploring beat-making and music technology
French	Oracy: Revision of adjectives and opinions to describe a photo and give opinions on it. Students to revise questions words and take part in role-play situations T’es branché? Students will discuss use of the internet and social media amongst young people	Paris: Students are able to build upon their cultural capital through the study of Paris Mon Identité: Students will discuss their own characteristics and what they like/dislike	Chez moi, chez toi: Students will learn key vocabulary to do with the house and home Francophponie/Cultural capital: Discovering different francophone countries and comparing cultures. Using the imperative, superlative adjectives and vouloir + infinitive.
PE	Striking and fielding – learners will consolidate core skills and basic tactical awareness in isolated practices, conditioned/larger full sided games, while consolidating knowledge of basic rules and leadership skills in cricket and rounders.	Learners will consolidate core skills and develop advanced tactical awareness in a range of isolated practices, conditioned and larger/full sided games while developing knowledge of advanced rules and leadership skills in: badminton, football, basketball, netball and rugby. Learners will consolidate core skills and develop advanced skills on the floor and larger apparatus in gymnastics, they will develop their choreographic devices and leadership skills in gymnastics.	Athletics – consolidation of core skills and development of advanced skills at faster pace/using age appropriate equipment and developing further technical and tactical knowledge.
RE	Evil and suffering: Students will explore the question if whether evil means God cannot exist Atheism and Humanism: Students will explore atheist arguments and humanist values to learn how people can place meaning without religion	Science and religion: Students will learn that science and religious beliefs about truth, creation and evolution can be conflicting Hinduism: Students will know key Hindu beliefs about the nature of God and how this is manifested in the form of different Gods and Goddesses	Sikhism: Students will know key Sikh beliefs about the nature of God, pilgrimage and equality, students will know about the lives of two gurus and how they influence Sikhs today Rights and religion: Students will know that humans and animals have rights and what the main six religions trach about this
Science	Chemistry: Periodic table and materials Biology: Gas exchange, reproduction, photosynthesis and respiration Physics: Sound and light	Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere Biology: Ecosystems Physics: Static electricity and electricity	Biology: Inheritance Physics: Magnets, particle model and space

Subject

Cycle 1

Cycle 2

Cycle 3

Art

Semi-abstract art – Annibot (animal robot) isometric design

Architectural styles – Ceramic fireplace (candle holder) design and sculpture

Architectural styles – sculpture embellishment

Cubist portrait – lino production print

Abstraction – mixed media drawing

Computer Science

Data Representation: Students will explore how data is stored and represented digitally

Small basic programming: Students will learn fundamental programming concepts using small basic, developing problem-solving and logical thinking skills

Computer Hardware: Students will explore the key components of computer hardware, understand how data is processed, and learn about the various types of storage devices

Logic Gates: Students will focus on understanding the principles of logic gates and how they are used to form digital circuits

Design Technology

Product Design – Container

Students are introduced to more advanced product design in view of making an end product of a container, students will work with a range of marking out and practical equipment to produce and end outcomes. Students will learn about logo design, types of plastic and SMSC issues in product design.

Food – Multicultural festival food

Students will be introduced to more advanced food technology in view of making a final dish of their choosing. Students will work with a range of equipment and oven features as they learn about different food cultures and environmental issues associated with food.

Textiles – Selfie art

Students will be introduced to more advanced textiles through creating a range of samples in view of making an end product of a selfie art inspired cushion. Students will work with a range of marking out and practical equipment to produce an end outcome.

English

Remarkable lives: Students will develop their understanding of the autobiographical form and use their knowledge to produce their own written piece.

Macbeth-tragedy: Students will deepen their understanding of the tragedy form as they begin to understand what makes Macbeth a tragic play and the contextual backdrop of it.

War poetry: Students will learn about war poetry, exploring why soldiers chose poetry to express their experiences and feelings.

Letter writing: Students will learn about the importance of letters and produce their own to voice an opinion in a letter to the council.

Ghosts and ghouls: Students will be introduced to Gothic conventions and be exposed to a range of Gothic texts.

The Woman in Black: Students will build on their prior knowledge of the Gothic and analyse the supernatural conventions in the modern novel and consider the protagonists development throughout the novel.

Geography

Volcanoes: Students will gain an introduction to plate tectonics and natural hazards, as they focus on the cause and impacts of volcanic eruptions. They will be able to identify constructive and destructive plate boundaries and describe how movement can cause volcanic eruptions.

Urban geography: Students will understand the concepts of urbanisation and growth in UK cities and compare opportunities and challenges of urbanisation in HIC’s and LIC’s. Students will also look at sustainable urban living.

Environmental issues: Students will look at global warming and extreme weather and begin to assess sustainable solutions. They will also assess the impact of human activity in ocean ecosystems.

Development in the Horn of Africa: Introduction to the concept of development, development gaps and inequality, as students learn about concepts of poverty and the promotion of economic development. They will be able to explain the causes of inequality in development and suggest strategies to reduce inequalities.

History

How revolutionary was the French revolution? Students will be able to explain concepts like monarchy and democracy and explain why the English Civil War and the French Revolution happened and assess how much impact they have on the way in which their countries were ruled

How far did life change in the Industrial Revolution? Students will be able to explain the concept of industrialisation and analyse sources to explain how the revolution changed Britain and affected different groups

How did the British Empire change the world? Students will be able to explain key concepts such as imperialism and independence as they explain how Britain formed it’s empire and assess its impact on different places

Why did the slave trade last so long? Students will be able to explain how the Transatlantic Slave Trade began and make links to how it helped the Industrial Revolution. They will also form judgements on why it was abolished and how it continued to affect the lives of freed people and the modern world today

Why was WW1 called the ‘war to end all wars’? Students will explain why both world wars started and explain the significance of key turning points in each war and their impacts on consequences

How did ordinary people protest for their rights in Britain? Students will be able to explain how ordinary people fought for their rights in the 19th and 20th centuries and how effective these campaigns were

PSHCE

Living in the wider world: careers – Career choices, study skills, pathways to your future, types of work, challenging stereotypes, factors affecting financial decisions and managing emotions and risk

Health and wellbeing: Physical healthy – Road safety, weight, immunisations and vaccinations, healthy eating, vaping, knife crime, bone, muscles and joints

Health and wellbeing: Mental health – Defining stigma, nutrition and exercise, positive relationships, bereavement and coping strategies and know your selfie

Relationships – Stable relationships, strong emotions, roles in a family, sexism in the media and adoption

Relationships – Oversharing online, cybercrime, online risks to consent, discrimination and prejudice, cyberbullying, upholding your right and those of others online

Living in the wider world: Beckfoot, Britain and beyond – Year 9 options, rule of law, role of citizens, parliament and monarch, SMSC: Define spiritual, moral, social and cultural

Maths

Number – negatives, rounding

Geometry and measure – draw lines and angles, area, perimeter and volume, Pythagoras

Algebra – expanding and simplifying expressions, equations

Ration, proportion and rates of change – scales

Statistics – scatter graphs

Number – BIDMAS and decimals, fractions, percentages

Algebra – sequences, inequalities, simultaneous equations

Statistics – data types, averages, data representation

Geometry and measure – Transformations 1

Ratio, proportion and rates of change – ratio

Algebra – linear graphs

Geometry and measures – 2D and 3D shapes

Probability

Performing Arts

Film Trailer: Students will be introduced to working in a group to devise their own performance of a film trailer montage utilising techniques to persuade an audience.

World War 1: Students will begin staging more complex devised work as they use their skills to create mood, atmosphere, and communicate more detailed characters.

Melodrama and pantomime: Students will be introduced to the techniques used in pantomime as they perform exaggerated characters in the style of slapstick and melodrama.

Styles of dance: Students will develop their dance performance skills to engage and audience as they perform three dances in three different styles.

Romeo and Juliet: Student will develop their stagecraft skills through staging a Shakespearean classic text and bring together all of their performance skills, stagecraft skills, drama and dance techniques to stage a scene from the play, as they explore mood and atmosphere.

German

Oracy: Revision of adjectives and opinions to describe a photo and give opinions on it to allow students to speak with increased confidence and better pronunciation.

Die Ferien: Students will gain a cultural insight into places in Germany while using new vocabulary and grammatical concepts.

Bist du ein Medienfan? Pupils will express views and opinions about books, TV shows, films and the internet.

Bleib gesund! Pupils will express opinions on a healthy lifestyle and what one should and shouldn’t do.

Klassenreisen machen Spaβ: Students will learn key vocabulary to do with the house and home.

Berlin – cultural capital: Pupils are able to explore the sights of modern day Berlin and become familiar with key features of the city while discussing the cities complex history.

Music

Music and advertising: Students will compose jingles and explore the role of music in branding, understanding underscore and voiceovers

Blues: Students will study the 12-bar blues, improvisation, and syncopation while learning about its historical links to slavery

Pop music: Students will explore catchy hooks, baselines, and music technology, arranging their own pop songs

Film music: Students will learn about leitmotifs, underscoring, and composing music for film scenes

Latin American Music: Students will perform tango and samba rhythms, developing complex rhythmic and harmonic skills

Hip hop: Students will learn about the cultural impact of hip hop music as they write and perform rap lyrics, exploring beat-making and music technology

French

Oracy: Revision of adjectives and opinions to describe a photo and give opinions on it. Students to revise questions words and take part in role-play situations

T’es branché? Students will discuss use of the internet and social media amongst young people

Paris: Students are able to build upon their cultural capital through the study of Paris

Mon Identité: Students will discuss their own characteristics and what they like/dislike

Chez moi, chez toi: Students will learn key vocabulary to do with the house and home

Francophponie/Cultural capital: Discovering different francophone countries and comparing cultures. Using the imperative, superlative adjectives and vouloir + infinitive.

Striking and fielding – learners will consolidate core skills and basic tactical awareness in isolated practices, conditioned/larger full sided games, while consolidating knowledge of basic rules and leadership skills in cricket and rounders.

Learners will consolidate core skills and develop advanced tactical awareness in a range of isolated practices, conditioned and larger/full sided games while developing knowledge of advanced rules and leadership skills in: badminton, football, basketball, netball and rugby.

Learners will consolidate core skills and develop advanced skills on the floor and larger apparatus in gymnastics, they will develop their choreographic devices and leadership skills in gymnastics.

Athletics – consolidation of core skills and development of advanced skills at faster pace/using age appropriate equipment and developing further technical and tactical knowledge.

Evil and suffering: Students will explore the question if whether evil means God cannot exist

Atheism and Humanism: Students will explore atheist arguments and humanist values to learn how people can place meaning without religion

Science and religion: Students will learn that science and religious beliefs about truth, creation and evolution can be conflicting

Hinduism: Students will know key Hindu beliefs about the nature of God and how this is manifested in the form of different Gods and Goddesses

Sikhism: Students will know key Sikh beliefs about the nature of God, pilgrimage and equality, students will know about the lives of two gurus and how they influence Sikhs today

Rights and religion: Students will know that humans and animals have rights and what the main six religions trach about this

Science

Chemistry: Periodic table and materials

Biology: Gas exchange, reproduction, photosynthesis and respiration

Physics: Sound and light

Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere

Biology: Ecosystems

Physics: Static electricity and electricity

Biology: Inheritance

Physics: Magnets, particle model and space