Curriculum

At Southam College students experience a broad and balanced curriculum through which they develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be successful learners at each stage of their school career and beyond. The learning ethos that underpins our curriculum ensures that students are purposely engaged in their learning, challenged to do their best and supported to make excellent progress in their studies

"The curriculum makes a significant contribution to students’ outstanding achievement and behaviour because it is well matched to students’ interests and it promotes their personal development effectively. " Ofsted 2014

Curriculum Guides

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Year 7 Curriculum Guide 2019-2020

Year 9 Curriculum Guide 2020

Art

During Y7 and Y8, students in Art develop their knowledge and understanding of the visual elements: Line, Tone, Colour, Pattern, Shape, Form and Texture. Students explore these elements through various projects which expose them to a variety of artists, artistic practices and experiences. Throughout KS3 students develop artistically, creating their practical outcomes.

Art Y7 & Y8 Curriculum Overview

Business

Character and Culture

Throughout their time at Southam College, students will benefit from Character and Culture lessons. The purpose of the Character and Culture curriculum is to ensure students feel valued for their conduct, encouraged to be ambitious as well as resilient, and equipped with the knowledge, skills and self-belief required to lead a successful and happy life.

Character & Culture Y7 Overview

Character & Culture Y8 Overview

Computing

In Year 7 and 8 we endeavour to introduce students to a range of Digital and computing programming skills, such as HTML, python, spreadsheets and databases. Students will learn how computers work and components that make a computer. Students will be exposed to a range of subject specific terminology, and will learn how to use this accurately and appropriately in their writing.

Computing Year 7 & Year 8 Overview

Drama

Drama in Y7 begins with building confidence in working with each other and learning through mistake making. Students also begin to develop knowledge of drama terminology for performance and design. Throughout KS3, students will develop an understanding of character building and naturalistic and non-naturalistic forms. Students will expand their knowledge of a range of performance history and styles through exposure to a variety of scripts and devising styles.

Drama Year 7 Overview

Drama Year 8 Overview

English

In KS3 we endeavour to introduce students to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, such as novels, plays, poetry and articles. Students will learn how to analyse texts on a deeper level, paying particular attention to the language writers use to create meaning. Students will be exposed to a range of subject specific terminology, and will learn how to use this accurately and appropriately in their writing. Students will develop their reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills, to encourage high levels of literacy across all disciplines.

English Y7 & Y8 Overview

Geography

Throughout Y7 and Y8 students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of a range of places around the world. They will also develop and understanding of a range of physical and human geography processes, how they interact and be able to apply this understanding to places around the world. Students will learn to use a range of geographical skills.

Geography Y7 & Y8 Overview

Health and Social Care

History

The History KS3 programme of study is largely chronological giving students the opportunity to develop an overview of events from the Norman Conquest to the 20^th century. Our curriculum has been designed with an emphasis on chronological understanding, with ‘big questions’ at the core of each unit. This approach is taken to allow students opportunity to develop, analyse and evaluate historical interpretations.

History Y7 & Y8 Overview

Maths

In year 7 students will build on their mathematical skills from KS2 and extend their understanding further. Students will learn key skills in the 4 main areas: number, algebra, data and shape and then be encouraged to apply these to help solve problems.In Year 8 we will build on students' knowledge from Year 7 to help aid their learning prior to KS4. The focus is to build their problem solving skills across all aspects of the unit.

Maths Year 7 Overview

Maths Year 8 Overview

Media Studies

Modern Languages

Across KS3 in MFL, students build their recognition of vocabulary and learn how to create sentences and short paragraphs in the target language. In addition to the language element, students will also become more culturally aware, learning about the country. The lessons will be delivered as much as possible in the Target Language and there is an expectation that students speak that language in the classroom whenever they can. As the key stage progresses, students will become more confident in writing longer paragraphs using a greater variety of structures and vocabulary, connectives, different time frames and opinions.

Music

In KS3 we endeavour to give every student the opportunities, skills and knowledge to enable them to develop as confident and creative musicians. Relevant music theory and instrumental techniques will be taught in the context of making music to allow students to progress and develop their skills with increasing independence and diversity. Throughout all topics, an emphasis on perseverance, resilience and self-evaluation will help students to develop as successful learners.

Music Year 7 & Year 8 Overview

P.E.

During Physical Education lessons students undertake a range of activities and sports. As students progress they will learn to connect the correct movement patterns to enhanced motor skills to improve their performance and understanding of how to achieve. The activities selected are designed for dual purpose. Firstly to allow every student the chance to participate in a range of activities and secondly to assist in each individual’s long term athletic development.

PE Y7 & Y8 Overview

Philosophy & Ethics

In KS3 we endeavour to introduce students to a range of beliefs and practices from religious to non-religious. Students will learn how to express beliefs and practices from a range world religions, on a deeper level, paying particular attention to the evaluation and impact these beliefs and practices have on own lives and the decisions we make. Students will be exposed to a range of subject specific terminology, and will learn how to use this accurately and appropriately in their extended exam responses. Students will develop their writing, through expression, application and evaluation and listening skills, to encourage high levels of curiosity and philosophical thinking.

Philosophy & Ethics Y7 & Y8 Overview

Photography

Science

In Year 7 and Year 8, our aim is to build on the knowledge and understanding of Science gained during Key Stage 2 and provide a firm foundation for further study. Throughout the course, the scientific process is taught, with many opportunities to plan, investigate, record, conclude and evaluate practical investigations, together with the relevant maths skills, and key subject-specific vocabulary that will enable students to be scientifically literate.

Biology Year 7 & Year 8 Overview

Chemistry Year 7 & Year 8 Overview

Physics Year 7 & Year 8 Overview

Social Sciences

Technology

In Year 7 and 8 we provide a range of units that cover a wide range of knowledge, skills, materials and processes. We aim to provide students with a wide range of experiences developing the core knowledge as well as the skills to manufacture a range of products. The skills and knowledge cross over a selection of units enabling students to reinforce learning and apply it across different materials areas.

Technology Year 7 & Year 8 Overview