Welcome to
Year 8

Writing

At Ipswich Academy, we place great importance on the ability of students to communicate their thoughts, feelings and experiences clearly in different forms and for different purposes. All of our units are underpinned by opportunities to write analytically, creatively and persuasively.

Reading

Reading is the master skill of learning and the English curriculum offers broad opportunities to read and develop confidence with challenging texts of varying type, age and purpose. Specific focus is given to creating a broad knowledge base and a specific skill set for academic reading.

In Year 8, students will begin to explore texts linked to the core theme of identity and how the written word can act as a mirror to help us understand the world and our place in it. Animal Farm, The Merchant of Venice and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime provide the basis to develop skills of analysis and critical reading.

The 5-year curriculum plan provides a logical progression through the National Curriculum for KS3, following onto the Edexcel Foundation or Higher GCSE specification.

Year 8 builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Year 7. Topics taught this year include:

• Indices and standard form
• Surface area and volume of 3D solids
• Measures
• Types of graphs and comparing data using stem and leaf diagrams
• Expanding and factorising expressions, solving two-step equations
• More real-life graphs
• Calculating with fractions, decimals and percentages
• Angles in parallel lines, exterior and interior angles in polygons
• Direct proportion on graphs, equations of straight lines – gradient and midpoints.

Autumn Term

Students explore a range of scientific topics, including the fundamentals of nutrition and food science, the principles of forces and their effects, and an introduction to the periodic table and its elements. Additionally, they delve into the process of respiration, understanding how organisms convert oxygen and glucose into energy.

Spring Term

Students explore the fundamentals of motion, looking into concepts such as speed, velocity, and acceleration. They also study reactions, focusing on chemical processes and equations. They will study plants, examining plant biology and photosynthesis as well as electricity, covering the basics of electric circuits and current flow.

Summer Term

Students study the world of genetics, exploring the principles of inheritance, DNA structure, and the role of genes in determining traits. The curriculum also covers the properties of fluids, including their behaviour under different conditions, pressure, and buoyancy. Additionally, the study of energy encompasses its various forms, conservation, and transfer, helping students understand fundamental concepts in physics.

The French curriculum is designed to introduce students to another language and culture. We have three key aims to our language learning; developing cultural awareness and intercultural understanding; providing a firm basis for further study; providing students with the tools to understand and use French for travel or other purposes.

Key themes for Year 8 are clothes, weather, TV and media, sports, where you live and a visit to Paris. Students are introduced to past tense verbs, formal greetings, negatives, asking questions and making comparisons.

Students study the following units, which develop their geographical knowledge, understanding and skills. Each unit includes a range of interesting case studies on a local, regional, national and global scale.

• Tourism
• Rivers and Flooding
• Population
• Global Change
• Climate Change
• Conflict.

In Year 8, students’ studies focus on the developments in the distribution of power and democracy in the United Kingdom and the role of the United Kingdom across the world.

This includes the impacts of the Industrial Revolution, the evolution of democracy and Black British Civil Rights, and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The key themes of power and democracy are woven throughout each Scheme of Work.

Students will continue to build on key historical skills such as the introduction of analysing the accuracy of sources and using their own knowledge to support their claims.

Autumn Term 1

Form and Structure (Video Game Music)

Autumn Term 2

Form and Structure (Programme Music)

Spring Term 1
Basic Harmony – Forming Triad Chords (Pop-music and Reggae)

Spring Term 2

Basic Harmony – Forming Triad Chords (Pop-music and Reggae)

Summer Term 1

Basic Harmony and Tonality – Developing Chords (Blues and Jazz)

Summer Term 2

Basic Harmony and Tonality – Developing Chords (Blues and Jazz)

Our physical education curriculum for Year 7, 8, and 9 students aims to foster holistic development, encompassing physical, social, cognitive, and emotional growth.

We are committed to inclusivity, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate and thrive in a supportive environment. Each half term, students will engage in a variety of sports, including invasion games, net and wall games, and striking and fielding activities.

This diverse curriculum is designed to enhance physical literacy and competence, ensuring that every student develops a broad range of skills and enjoys the benefits of an active lifestyle. Through our program, we aim to provide ample opportunities for all students to achieve their full potential in physical education.

In Philosophy, Religion and Ethics the Year 8 students will begin by considering crime and punishment in society. In the second term they will explore Hinduism and its belief about life after death. In the third term students will examine Islam and the portrayal of religion in the media.

The PSHE programme has been carefully designed to meet the needs of students and is regularly updated according to students’ changing needs.

The programme of study follows a large number of Jigsaw 11-16 lessons as well as some more bespoke lessons designed in-house. These lessons include three core themes: Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. The programme also incorporates SMSC, British Values and Careers to ensure students gain a rounded education and experience.

The main focus of the PSHE programme is to give students a broad and engaging programme of study that provides a positive, safe and consistent environment where students gain the most out of their educational opportunities, regardless of ability or background.

Careers focus: Graphic Design

– Elements of art revisited and built upon: colour (theory-wheel, acrylic techniques), line, form (1 point perspective drawing, typography, drawing 3d) All relate to A02, 3 and 4.  Develop visual language and analytical skills through artist research (A01).

– Elements of art introduced: TEXTURE AND PATTERN (African batik)

Graphic design –  hinterland careers.

Year 8 students will continue to develop skills required for performance through the exploration of different theatre styles. They will study both Theatre of Cruelty and Theatre in Education introducing them to a wider range of practitioners and techniques.

In Year 8, students will explore:

• Exercise and Nutrition – the government’s recommendations around diet and exercise
• Making of healthy lunch alternatives
• Unhealthy lifestyles and dietary deficiencies
• A range of roles and jobs within catering.