- Home
- Year 7 Transition
- Subject Information
Subject Information
English
Build
The English curriculum will introduce students to a range of texts from various times whilst also exposing them to different genres. Throughout the year, pupils will revisit skills learnt in KS2 and consolidate and develop these to equip them for the requirements of KS3 and to prepare them for study at KS4. Topics have been carefully chosen to ensure that learning is built upon and extended with a clear learning journey from KS2 to KS4. By ensuring reading becomes increasingly fluent, writing is purposeful and oracy is supported, we aim to develop successful communicators.
Grow
By visiting different worlds through literature, pupils begin to understand the experiences of others. This is also supported and drawn out through a range of writing tasks and oracy activities. We aim to support this through relevant experiences such as the creation of our thematic poetry anthology, The British Council pen pal scheme with a partner school in Spain, and at least one visit to the theatre or a literary festival.
Flourish
There are many websites and apps that extend the skills covered in lessons. We would recommend Wordle, Connections, Scrabble and BBC Bitesize. Try to expose your child to current affairs, encouraging them to read newspaper articles online or perhaps watching the news. The importance of reading cannot be underestimated and many modern adaptations for the screen can be a perfect way into a new genre.
Mathematics
Build
The Mathematics curriculum will refresh students’ basic number skills, before applying to the various fields of applicable mathematics: algebra, proportion, statistics, geometry and probability. Topics are sequenced specifically to allow pupils to build upon their prior knowledge and then develop their higher order thinking. Pupils will be exposed to multiple methods to solve real-life mathematical problems, consolidate methodology and develop the ability to reason logically
Grow
Year 7 pupils will have the opportunity to compete in our MAC Mathematics Challenge allowing them to build skills in teamwork, communication, problem solving and self-reflection. They will be able to explore mathematics in the real world with visits to Bletchley Park to discover the work of World War II codebreakers and explore the thrills of engineering at Silverstone in connection with the Williams F1 team.
Flourish
Repetition of times tables will develop confidence in your child but also allow for proficiency in other topics. Daily newspaper games, such as Sudoku or Quick Sums, can aid fluency with mental numeracy. Ask your child about the maths that they have studied that day and encourage the use of www.corbettmaths.com to help consolidate the learning.
Religious Education
Build
Religious Education is an essential part of our curriculum, providing young people with the opportunity to explore a world outside their own experience. The subject provides the perfect environment to consider some of life’s most challenging questions. To enable a smooth and inclusive transition, we build upon the varied prior learning and life experience of our students coming from different primary schools by exploring the beliefs of different faiths.
Grow
Our mission is to develop religious literacy, essential in today’s world, and to support students on their own faith journeys. Through an exploration of Christianity, students gain an excellent understanding of religion and faith and the impact it has on our modern world. Using Catholic Social Teachings as our inspiration, we believe in putting our faith into action through opportunities to support charities, visit places of worship and to fight against climate change by contributing to the Live Simply Award. Everybody is welcome to join the chaplaincy group and work together for the common good.
Flourish
Parents can support their child by exploring places of worship and encouraging them to ask questions. Local historical sites such as Coughton Court, Havington Hall and Worcester Cathedral are steeped in Church history and are fascinating places to visit. Catholic parents can support faith to flourish by helping their child to get involved with parish life.
Science
Build
Our Science curriculum aims to develop pupils’ curiosity, critical thinking, and understanding of the world around them linked by Ten Big Scientific Ideas. Through a carefully sequenced programme of study, pupils gain the knowledge, scientific vocabulary, and investigative skills needed to explain natural phenomena and make reasoned predictions. We foster a hunger for justice by encouraging pupils to consider how scientific knowledge can be used ethically to address global challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and health inequalities.
Grow
We support students’ thirst for knowledge by offering a range of engaging activities such as science clubs, STEM competitions, and regular hands-on workshops in our bespoke laboratories. Enrichment opportunities include visits to The National Space Centre and Lapworth Geological Museum, alongside engaging themed science weeks which help pupils see the relevance of science outside of school and inspire future aspirations.
Flourish
Parents can support their children in science by talking about everyday scientific phenomena, such as weather changes or how appliances work, and encouraging children to ask questions and explore possible explanations.
Food and Nutrition
Build
The curriculum allows students to foster and develop their love of food regardless of their prior knowledge. Through this foundational year of learning, students will have the opportunity to create individual dishes, influenced by theoretical knowledge. The curriculum is reflective of the six principles of learning for GCSE: food, nutrition and health, functional and chemical properties of food, food safety and hygiene, food choice, food provenance and practical cooking skills.
Grow
In addition to enriching and developing students love of food and education on healthy living, key life skills are developed such as teamwork, creativity, time management and problem solving. Students will have the opportunity to transfer their theory work via workshops delivered by Linking Education and Farming - LEAF. For those who have a real passion for Food, there are three enrichment cooking sessions run after school: Christmas treats, Easter treats and Prepare for Summer. All are supported to participate in the Alcester Schools’ Bake Off in the annual Alcester Food Festival.
Flourish
To enrich and advance their practical skills further, encourage your child to take part in preparation and cooking at home. This builds confidence and accuracy during practical sessions back in school. We recommend encouraging your child’s thirst for knowledge by watching food programmes, listening to food podcasts and exploring websites such as BBC Bitesize, Food - A Fact of Life and the British Nutrition Foundation.
Art
Build
The Art curriculum aims to build confidence and encourage students to take ownership of their work, giving students the opportunity to explore a range of starting points for practical work. In Year 7, students enjoy exploring a wide range of creative experiences using both digital and non-digital media, including photography and sculpture. They also build skills in painting, printmaking, and artist analysis, alongside learning how to carry out research to support their ideas. Through studying the work of artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, and photographer Karl Blossfeldt, students are encouraged to reflect on their own artwork as it develops, using evaluations linked to the formal elements of art.
Grow
Beyond the Art curriculum itself, we have extra-curricular activities run at lunchtime with an open-door policy. All Year 7 students can take part in the Bronze Arts Award which can progress to a Silver Arts Award. It is our mission to consolidate the learning that takes place in art lessons through extra-curricular activities. In these sessions students can develop their work on canvas, create large paintings or sculptures and enhance their photography skills.
Flourish
We are lucky to have fabulous free to enter art galleries in our region, such as Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum and Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Visits will expose your child to a wide range of cultures and ideas, helping to spark curiosity and inspiration. Exploring websites such as Tate Kids, BBC Bitesize, and the National Gallery can also support learning and enjoyment of art outside the classroom. Students have keyword lists in their sketchbooks, and practising spellings and meanings at home will help reinforce their understanding.
Design Technology
Build
The introductory phase in Design Technology allows pupils to have the opportunity to learn how new technology and emerging technologies are evolving and the impact this is having on the design and organisation of the workplace. Year 7 consists of two projects which have been carefully formed around ‘culture’. Pupils will explore the creative and cultural design industry, engage with designs and consider contexts from their own and other cultures. The designers we’ve chosen represent a wide range of different people and challenge some of the gender stereotypes related to different areas of the subject.
Grow
Pupils could take part in V&A Innovate, an annual National Schools Challenge. Working collaboratively pupils follow a human-centred design process and develop solutions to realworld problems inspired by the V&A collections. They learn about future-focused designers and innovators, engage with innovative objects from the V&A collections, explore a range of design processes, and hopefully win awards and prizes for their school.
Flourish
To support your child’s learning encourage them to document their ideas as much as possible, including taking photographs of good design they notice on outings, visits, or holidays. Practising drawing skills regularly and setting small creative challenges can further motivate and inspire your child.
Physical Education
Build
We aim to provide all pupils with the opportunity to develop their physical skills and interests in our extensive range of physical activities, and to enable gifted games players and athletes to pursue their chosen sport to high levels of achievement. We promote a healthy lifestyle and so everyone participates in four hours of P.E per fortnight. We deliver traditional sports such as Netball, Football, Cricket, Rounders and Tennis but have also developed Trampolining, Rowing and Softball. Our dedicated Year 7 fitness suite means we can offer dance and circuit training as part of the weekly enrichment sessions.
Grow
Pupils will grow in confidence as they learn and develop their knowledge and understanding of health and fitness. Pupils will all be encouraged to continue to grow their sporting confidence by representing their House in inter-school competitions with and against their peers. They are encouraged to build their confidence further by representing St. Benedict’s across a wide variety of sporting competitions against schools in Warwickshire.
Flourish
You can help your child to flourish by talking to your child about what sports and activities they are doing in school. Supporting your child with attending after school sports clubs and representing St. Benedict’s against other schools is very appreciated. Encouraging your child’s desire to participate in a physical activity with regularity will, undoubtedly, have life-long benefits.
Geography
Build
The curriculum introduces students to a range of locational and place knowledge and providing opportunities to develop geographical skills and fieldwork. The Year 7 curriculum builds on the foundational skills and knowledge from KS2 and develops pupil understanding of how to become responsible citizens and stewards of our planet. The subject develops knowledge of the challenges that face the Earth and encourages curiosity about the potential possibilities of our world for future generations.
Grow
Students will grow in their confidence and understanding of both Physical and Human Geography. In an ever-changing technological world, students will learn the capabilities of GIS systems to enhance their understanding of geographical landscapes and the challenges faced by communities. Year 7 will complete their own fieldwork through at least one site study within the local area to collect, analyse and compare their own data.
Flourish
During lessons students are introduced to and encouraged to make links between their learning and the world they see around them. Geographical skills and knowledge can be applied to many aspects of everyday life, supporting your child to be curious about the physical world around them will help your child’s understanding. Conversations around locations and direction, migration and weathering will provoke deeper understanding. Websites such as BBC Bitesize, YouTube and Geography extended documentaries offer excellent and engaging resource materials.
History
Build
The History curriculum introduces students to a range of historical knowledge, skills and interpretations. Students study a range of key questions and evaluate different interpretations of the work of historians such as Simon Schama. The key questions have been carefully structured to build on knowledge and skills developed at Key Stage 2 and ensure that students are confident historians by the end of the year in the way they think, speak and write about History.
Grow
Students will grow in confidence as they learn about the impact of the Norman Conquest and will complete at least one local site study. The first site study is completed at Warwick Castle which provides an immersive and hands-on experience looking at the key features of Norman castles whilst exploring the castle’s history and what it tells us about the impact of Norman control. Students will extend their learning through involvement in whole school History projects such as Black History Month, our Remembrance Day Service and Holocaust Memorial Day.
Flourish
You can help your child to flourish by talking to your child about the work that they are doing in school. We recommend encouraging your child’s thirst for knowledge by reading local and global news and making links between current affairs and topics learned. Websites such as BBC Bitesize and English Heritage also have some excellent resources to extend learning.
Music
Build
The curriculum introduces students to a wide range of musical styles, traditions, and historical periods while developing their practical, listening, and composing skills. Throughout the year, pupils will revisit and build upon skills developed in KS2, consolidating their understanding of musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, structure, and notation. These foundations are extended to equip students for the demands of KS3 and to prepare them for further study at KS4. Topics are carefully sequenced to ensure clear progression, allowing students to develop confidence as performers, composers, and listeners. By developing musical literacy, ensemble skills, and critical listening, we aim to nurture well-rounded and expressive musicians.
Grow
By exploring music from different cultures, time periods, and genres, pupils begin to understand how music reflects the experiences and identities of others. This understanding is reinforced through practical performance (singing and on the keyboard), composition, and discussion based activities. Where possible, learning is enriched through live music experiences, workshops, school performances, and opportunities to collaborate with others. All students are encouraged to take part in our extra-curricular musical opportunities which include Windband, Rockschool and two choirs. All of Year 7 are invited to perform at our Annual Carol Service and Summer Concert. We offer peripatetic music lessons on specific instruments from our highly qualified visiting music teachers. Lessons are delivered on piano, keyboard, violin, saxophone, flute, clarinet, drum kit and vocals. Lessons are weekly and during the school day. Students in receipt of Pupil Premium are entitled to half price lessons.
Flourish
There are many resources, websites and apps that can extend musical learning beyond the classroom. We recommend BBC Bitesize Music, GarageBand, and FL Studio to support listening, composing, and theory skills. Encouraging students to listen to a wide variety of music at home, attend live performances, or watch concerts and documentaries can greatly enhance their musical understanding.
Religious, Social and Health Education
Build
In this subject we use Ten Ten resources which build on the topics delivered in our feeder schools to ensure consistency. The topics explored require empathy, compassion, integrity and understanding as we open discussions on fundamental age-appropriate questions. We examine what healthy relationships are by exploring what makes a good friend, when and where to seek help for us and others. Later we turn our attention to the challenges of the outside world as we start to consider vocations and positive representations of self.
Grow
The topics develop our young people to be well-rounded, compassionate and empathetic individuals ready for the challenges of our modern world. It is well recognised that students will not achieve academically if they are not happy personally - our curriculum is designed to give them the knowledge and skills to equip them for life so that they can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Flourish
You can help your child to flourish by talking to your child about the work that they are doing in school. We recommend encouraging your child’s enthusiasm for knowledge by reading/watching local and global news and making links between current affairs and topics learned.
Spanish
Build
Year 7 Spanish unlocks the power of fluency. Students continue along their path to becoming independent, resilient and confident Spanish speakers. We will build on the curiosity and enthusiasm sparked in transition activities with our primary school by giving our linguists the keys to the engine so they can drive the language themselves. Our Year 7 curriculum has been designed to upgrade from memorisation to mastery through activities that repeat core skills. Students will learn what to say but also how it works as they focus on core grammar.
Grow
Throughout their studies Year 7 will be provided with the tools to perfect their accent and boost their confidence in speaking performance as they master phonics. They will be able to deepen their expression as the curriculum introduces past and future tenses. In enrichment time they will explore cultural differences through experiences of European food, engagement in The British Council activities and opportunities to explore Latin American dance.
Flourish
Language learning is a superpower in the modern world. Year 7 is the critical moment when students become linguists. At St Benedict’s they will have the opportunity to become Language Ambassadors and work on projects with other language learners in our region. They can also look forwards to the opportunity to travel through our KS3 Barcelona and Brittany Trips and see language in action. Our aim is to equip students with a global mindset and a cognitive toolkit that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
