What we are teaching this term | Samuel Ward Academy

The tables below give an overview of the assessments in each subject for the term ahead as well as the content being taught. Subject teachers will make sure that students know the exact dates of assessments during the term.

Year 7

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Applications of number: solving problems involving the four operations. Fractions and percentages of amounts.
English	Spring 1 writing assessment -write a newspaper article on the positives or negatives of moving to secondary school. Spring 2 reading assessment – in Warhorse, how does Morpurgo present Friedrich as different to the other soldiers?
Science	End of topic knowledge tests Science skills assessment, with a focus on graph skills and reading comprehension End of term cumulative assessment with a focus on Forces, Particles and Solutions, Cells & Organs and Chemical Reactions, which will include some questions based on last term’s topics.
History	Why did the Peasants Revolt? (Written essay assessment). This will test on both substantive knowledge of the causes of the event and disciplinary understanding (causation).
Geography	Extreme environments: Location of hot/cold extreme environment (deserts, poles and mountains). Climate (rainfall and temperature) of hot/cold extreme environments, including evidence. Animals and plants of hot/cold extreme environments (how they are adapted to live there).
French	Spring one - knowledge organiser and grammar mastery assessment on daily life and opinions. Spring two - reading assessment on life at school.
German	Spring one - vocabulary and grammar mastery assessment on verbs in present tense, questions and plurals Spring two - reading assessment on opinions and descriptions of daily life.
Art	Skills showcase 2- This is an opportunity for students to showcase what they have learnt this term in our painting studies.
Design and Technology and Food and Nutrition	DT (Product Design rotation) Assessed on theory and practical work relating to timber buggy module. DT (Graphics rotation) Assessed on theory and practical work relating to acrylic keyring module Food (students who are studying this subject this rotation) End of module practical assessment End of term short written test on kitchen skills, healthy eating and macro nutrients.
Religious Education	Sacred writings: including the Bible, the Tanakh and the Quran.
PSHCE	Staying healthy including sleep, diet and exercise
Music	Keyboard performance
Drama	No to smoking: Key techniques - interviewing, split stage, freezeframes, narration and body gestures.
Computer Science	Modelling in excel.
Physical Education	Acquiring and developing skills to apply successfully to games in: Fitness Rugby Basketball Dodgeball.

Year 8

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Algebraic techniques Brackets, equations and inequalities Sequences Indices
English	Spring 1 speech writing assessment - write a speech to SLT about something you would like to change in school or to the Prime Minister about something you would like to change in the country. Spring 2 reading assessment - how Does Maya Angelou use poetic techniques to present her ideas in ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’?
Science	End of topic knowledge tests Science skills assessment, with a focus on graph skills and reading comprehension End of term cumulative assessment with a focus on electricity and magnetism, the periodic table and materials, waves, and health and disease, which will include some questions based on last term’s topics.
History	Revolutions (written essay assessment) This will involve students comparing and contrasting different revolutions they have studied across Year 8 so far It will test both substantive knowledge of the revolutions and disciplinary knowledge (similarity and difference)
Geography	Rivers - including the hydrological cycle, hydrographs, erosion, river characteristics, waterfalls and meanders, flooding and the Carlisle and Bangladesh case studies. Coasts – including erosion, deposition, longshore drift, transport and the Holderness case study.
French	Spring one - knowledge organiser and grammar mastery assessment Discussing daily life using opinions Shopping for clothes Birthdays Music and TV preferences Spring two - listening and speaking assessment Film Study.
Art	Skills Showcase 2 - This is an opportunity for students to showcase what they have learnt this term in our studies on 20th Century Art Movements.
Design and Technology and Food and Nutrition	DT (Product Design rotation) Assessed on theory and practical work relating to timber maze puzzle module DT (Graphics rotation) Assessed on theory and practical work relating to pewter casting module Food (students who are studying this subject this rotation) End of module practical assessment End of term short written test on nutrients and ethical issues.
Religious Education	Festivals: including - Passover, Eid-al-fitr/Ramadan and Easter.
PSHE	Relationships: including age-appropriate introduction to romantic relationships.
Music	12-bar blues performance.
Drama	Shakespeare- To perform an extract from Romeo and Juliet. Create the effect on the audience that they decided the piece should have. Communicate a convincing character using words, movement and gesture. Demonstrate the intentions of the playwright in terms of space, timing, and language.
Computer Science	Programming on the internet – html.
Physical Education	Focus on advanced technique and application to games. Fitness Rugby Basketball Dodgeball.

Year 9

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Reasoning with number Numerical reasoning Using percentages Maths and money
English	Spring 1 creative writing assessment - Using the end of Act 3, ask students to write a monologue in the character of John Proctor. It should convey his thoughts/feelings/emotions before his death. You will need to go through key features/conventions of a monologue. Spring 2 reading assessment - How does Blackman create tension in this extract and throughout the Noughts and Crosses as a whole?
Science	End of topic knowledge tests Science skills assessment, with a focus on graph skills and reading comprehension. End of term cumulative assessment with a focus on Mixtures, Inheritance 1, Energy Stores & Transfers, Reactions, Transport Across Membranes, which will include some questions based on last term’s topics.
History	First World War/Russian Revolution/Suffragettes knowledge test - How far were the 1920s ‘roaring’ for everyone? (Written essay assessment) This will involve students comparing the experiences of different groups in ‘roaring 20s’ It will test both substantive knowledge (events of the 1920s) and disciplinary knowledge (similarity and difference in experience)
Geography	Climate change assessment What the Greenhouse Effect is (including a diagram). How humans have enhanced the Greenhouse Effect and how this might have led to global warming. Evidence for human and natural climate change (e.g. graphs, burning fossil fuels etc.) Human and natural effects of climate change How humans are trying to respond to climate change at local, national and global levels (mitigation and adaptation strategies such as alternative energy, climate change conferences etc).
French	Spring one - Knowledge organiser and grammar mastery assessment. Spring two - writing and speaking assessment Discussing the world of work and future plans.
German	Spring one - Knowledge organiser and grammar mastery assessment, ambitions and the world of work. Spring two - Writing and speaking assessment, rights and duties.
Art	Skills Showcase 2 - This is an opportunity for students to showcase what they have learnt this term within their own personal outcome responding to the theme of Identity.
Design and Technology and Food and Nutrition	DT (Product Design rotation) Assessed on theory and practical work relating to passive amplifier module. DT (Graphics rotation) Assessed on theory and practical work relating to pop up mailer module. Food (students who are studying this subject this rotation) End of module practical assessment End of term short written test on Food Science
Religious Education	Religion: peace and conflict. Medical moral issues: including abortion and capital punishment.
PSHCE	Staying safe - issues related to county lines including illegal drugs, gang crime, grooming.
Music	Film and computer game composition.
Drama	Black Lives Matter/ Noughts and Crosses. Will be assessing how they interpret a script using physical theatre, choral work and direct address.
Physical Education	Tactics and analysis of performances in: Badminton Fitness Basketball Dodgeball
Film Studies	Representation written/practical assessment
Photography	Skills Showcase 2 - This is an opportunity for students to showcase what they have learnt this term within our studies on colour techniques.

Year 10

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Geometry Angles and bearings Working with circles Vectors
English	Reading Assessment: How far do you think Priestley shows Sheila’s change and moral growth? January - Paper 2 Q5, Language Paper 2- Q2 & 3 March- Q4
Combined Science	End of topic knowledge tests Science skills assessment, with a focus on calculations, graph skills and required practicals. End of term cumulative assessment with a focus on structure and bonding, disease and immunity, energy and electricity in the home, extracting resources and sustainability, inheritance 2, which will include some questions based on last term’s topics.
Triple Science	In addition to end of topic knowledge quizzes in biology, chemistry and physics there will be a 1) Science skills assessment 2) Cumulative end of term test In the following topics: Biology: Disease & Immunity Inheritance 2 Topics from last term, including Bacteria & Medicines, Plants Chemistry: Structure and bonding Extracting Resources and Sustainability Topics from last term, including Atoms, Mixtures, Reactions, Materials Physics: Energy & Electricity in the home Forces & Their Applications Fields EM Waves Topics from last term, including Forces & Newton’s Laws, Nuclear Radiation
History	Industrial medicine/modern medicine/western front knowledge tests. Practice 16-mark exam question.
Geography	Natural hazards. Living world.
French	Spring 1 - Writing and listening assessment Holiday Destinations Travel and Accommodation Future and Ideal Holiday Plans Spring 2 - Speaking and translation assessment Describing where you live Local area
German	Spring 1 - Writing and listening assessment Relationships with family and friends Marriage/partnership Spring 2 = Speaking and translation assessment Describing where you live Local area
Art	Creative Cycle 2 - This is an opportunity for students to develop their second outcome for their ongoing theme of choice.
Engineering	Mock synoptic challenge.
Graphics	Unit 1 Assignment.
Food And Nutrition	Written tests: User needs Health and Safety and Micro-organism uses Ethical Issues Practical Assessment: End of Term Practical Assessment.
Religious Studies	Christian beliefs and Jewish beliefs.
Music	Music Theory.
Drama	Component 2- mock performances. Learning scripts and interpreting them in a creative and exciting way and deciding what impact they want to have on the audience.
Computer Science	Cyber security SLR4. Hardware and software SLR5.
GCSE PE	Components of fitness. Applying the principles of training. Preventing injury in physical activity and training. Socio-cultural issues. Sports Psychology. Health, fitness and well-being.
Sport	Completion of unit 1 in preparation for the exam in March. This is an online exam that is externally marked equating to 40% of the total outcome. Components of fitness. Principles of training.
Photography	Creative Cycle 2 - This is an opportunity for students to develop their second outcome for their ongoing theme of their own choice.
Film Studies	Written analysis on set films.
Business Studies	Unit 2: Influences on business.
Sociology	Mini assessment - sociological research methods Forms and functions of the families (main focus on theoretical perspectives and studies) Nuclear Extended The reconstituted Lone parent family Same sex family Beanpole family, etc. Reasons for family diversity: legal changes, change of values and attitudes, changing gender roles, etc. Relationships within families Q: How do sociological studies and main theories explain various issues and processes related with families? Q: What is a criticism of families? Marxist, Functionalist and Feminist perspectives. Dysfunctional families
Health and Social Care	Human lifespan development - investigate how individuals deal with life events. Health and social care services and values.
Statistics	The data cycle including types of data.

Year 11

As well as mock exams in February the following content will be taught and assessed over the course of the term:

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Multiplicative reasoning Geometric reasoning Algebraic reasoning
English	February Mock- Language Paper 2 Literature Mock – An Inspector Calls and Unseen Poetry Mini Mock – Macbeth
Combined Science	Biology: The Endocrine System, The Impact of Humans Chemistry: Organic chemistry and Pollution, Rates & Equilibria Physics: Waves, Electromagnetism
Triple Science	Biology: The Impact of Humans Chemistry: Organic Reactions and Polymers, Rates & Equilibria Physics: Space
History	Practice 12 mark question on Tostig’s uprising Full Anglo-Saxon and Normans exam practice (4, 12, and 16 mark question)
Geography	Mock Paper 2 – Section A and Section C Paper 3 Issue Evaluation and partially Fieldwork
French	Spring 1 – Mock papers Writing/Speaking/Reading Listening Free time Home Customs and festivals/ Cultural events Food Jobs Describing local area Spring 2- Writing and translation assessments School Education post 16 and future plans Healthy lifestyles Social problems and charity
German	Spring 1- Mock papers Writing/Speaking/ Reading/Listening Family Home Free time Customs/ festivals / cultural event Food Jobs Spring 2= Writing and translation assessments Local area Shopping School Post 16 plans Ambitions Social issues and volunteering
Art	Grand Finale - This is an opportunity for students to combine earlier ideas into a developed outcome.
Engineering	2nd attempt at formal written exam (40% of overall grade) where necessary and ongoing synoptic challenge (60% of overall grade)
Graphics	Unit 3 and 4 Assignments
Food and Nutrition	NEA Coursework – Written work (worth 35% of the final overall grade). NEA Coursework – Practical Exam, this is scheduled for W/C 28th of February – Information and Details of time allocations will be sent home individually. 2nd Mock Exam will be completed in February
Religious Studies	Christian practices and religion, human rights and social justice.
Music	Final composition Final performance
Drama	Component 2 exam. Learning and interpreting scripts. Deciding their chosen impact they want on the audience through their drama pieces.
Computer Science	Revision including programming and reviewing units 4 and 5
GCSE PE	Commercialisation, Ethics in Sport, Health & Fitness
Sport	Development of Unit 2 assignment: this is an internally examined piece of coursework that equates to 60% of the total GCSE outcome. The content is everything from unit 1 and 2.
Photography	Grand Finale - This is an opportunity for students to combine earlier ideas into a developed outcome.
Film Studies	NEA – Film/Script + Evaluative Analysis.
Statistics	Applying knowledge to coursework questions on the whole data cycle.

Year 12

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Vectors Data and probability Polynomials
Further Maths	Vectors Momentum Forces and energy
Sociology	Families and Households Stratification
English Literature	Spring 1 – Duffy and Larkin poetry exam style question Chaucer close language analysis & whole text exam style question Spring 2 – The Tempest Close language analysis question Close language analysis Betrayal by Pinter
English Language	Spring 1- Gender Evaluate & Polemic Meanings & Reps + Meanings & Reps Comparison. Spring 2 Paper 2 Question 3 Comparison Paper 2 – Evaluate the idea- exam based question
Geography	Water and Carbon cycles Hazards
Music	Performance 2 Component 3, Section 3: AOSA The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900)
Art	Creative Cycle 2 - This is an opportunity for students to develop their second outcome for their ongoing theme of their own choice.
Photography	Creative Cycle 2 - This is an opportunity for students to develop their second outcome for their ongoing theme of their own choice.
Chemistry	End of Topic Tests: Elements of Life – Bonding and Group 2 End of term assessment (on all AS content so far)
Uniformed Services	Unit 1 – Prepare for a Chosen Career- Assignment 3 and 4 to complete. Unit 2 - Develop aspects of physical fitness for entry to the uniformed services-Assignment 2, 3 and 4 to complete.
NCFE Sport	Practical Individual Sport assignment 4 Practical Individual Sport assignment 5 Fitness Testing Assignment 1 Fitness Testing Assignment 2
History	Section A and B practice essays on Tudors and Russia Knowledge tests
Physics	Regular equation recall tests for all topics already covered Waves (including stationary and progressive waves, diffraction and interference, optics) Mechanics Materials Electricity
Applied Science	End of Topic Assessment – Physics P1 Prep Exam – Unit 1 Chemistry/Biology/Physics 1h30 – Feb
Film Studies	Written Analysis Set films
A Level PE	Environmental impacts on performance Diet and nutrition Practical Performance in selected sport.
Psychology	Spring 1 Attachment mini assessment Attachment EOUT Social influence mini assessment. Spring 2 Social influence EOUT Psychopathology mini assessment.
Biology	In addition to end of topic tests, there will be an assessment on Module 2 – Foundations in Biology that could include content from all topics studied so far: Cells Microscopy Biological Molecules Enzymes Plasma Membranes Cell Division.
BTEC ICT	Unit 1 Information communication and networks. Unit 2 Modelling.
Health and Social care	NCFE Certificate- Communication, and infection prevention and control. General Applied Certificate- The functions of health and social care and Human growth and development.
NCFE Business	Interview day project. Tycoon – business plan.
Economics	Supply and Demand. The difference between macro and micro. Economies of scale.

Year 13

As well as mock exams in February the following content will be taught and assessed over the course of the term:

Subject	Assessments for the Spring Term
Maths	Mechanics (Forces and motion, projectiles) Probability Vectors
Further Maths	Vectors and Matrices Centres of mass and stability Circular motion
English Literature	Spring 1- Mock Drama Paper and Poetry Paper Spring 2 – Mini Drama paper mock
English Language	Spring 1 – Mock paper 1 and 2 Spring 2- NEA Paper 1 and 2
Geography	Global systems and Global Governance Contemporary Urban Environments
Sociology	Crime and Deviance with theory and methods
Art	Grand Finale - This is an opportunity for students to combine earlier ideas into a developed outcome.
Photography	Grand Finale - This is an opportunity for students to combine earlier ideas into a developed outcome.
Chemistry	End of topic tests: Chemical Industry Pharmacological Chemistry
Uniformed Services	Unit 15 Sports Coaching – Assignment 4 to complete Unit 3 Develop Leadership Skills -Assignment 2 and 3 to complete
A Level PE	EAPI Assessment is booked in for Wednesday 26th January
NCFE Sport	Fitness Testing assignment 4 Careers in Sport assignment 1
History	Section A and B practice essays for Tudors and Russia Knowledge tests NEA Coursework
Physics	Nuclear Physics Capacitance
Applied Science	Unit 8 Assessments – Learning Aim C Unit 3 ‘Mock’ Exam (in class)
Film Studies	NEA – Film/Script and evaluative analysis
Psychology	Spring 1 Schizophrenia EOUT Aggression mini assessment Spring 2 Aggression EOUT Cognition and Development mini assessment Year 2 Research Methods EOUT
Biology	Photosynthesis Respiration Genetics The Endocrine System
BTEC ICT	Unit 2 Modelling
Health and Social Care	NCFE Extended- working in health and social care, human anatomy and physiology in health and social care and reflective practice. Certificate working in health and social care and reflective practice.
NCFE Business	Communication in businesses. Human resources and law.