Key Stage 3

year 7 – year 8 – year 9

Key Stage 3 : Year 7, 8 & 9

Key Stage 3 (KS3) is the part of the National Curriculum taught to children between the ages of 11 and 14 in the first 3 years of secondary school.

Main aim for teaching children in these year groups is to empower and help them to develop their potential as individuals. Thus, allowing them to make informed and responsible decisions for living and working in the 21st century.

By using active learning methodologies our team will not only aim for deeper understanding of the issues involved, but our ambition is also that pupils’ motivation and enthusiasm is heightened.

The teacher educating Key Stage 3 takes on many roles.  During each lesson our teacher could perform roles from “Ally” to “Challenger”, “Provocateur” and even “Devil’s advocate”. The attempt is to enhance the learning within the class, or to challenge their thinking in a new way.

Depending on subject taken pupils will be encouraged to communicate verbally their initial individual thoughts on the issue. Certain activity could focus more on developing clarity in communication and observation. Whilst others allow pupils to prioritise ideas and information and discuss justifications for their choices. This could then be easily transferred into different learning areas.

Key Stage 3 - Teachers & Tutors

Lesley Owusu

Nicole Cadinot

Interested to know what is covered in the national curriculum for key stage 3

Year 7 - Main Topics
Year 8 - Main Topics
Year 9 - Main Topics

English - Writing

  • Use prefixes & suffixes in spelling
  • Use dictionary to confirm spellings
  • Write simple dictated sentences
  • Use handwriting joins appropriately
  • Plan to write based on familiar forms
  • Rehearse sentences orally for writing
  • Use varied rich vocabulary
  • Create simple settings & plot
  • Assess effectiveness of own and others’ writing

English - Reading

  • Use knowledge to read ‘exception’ words
  • Read range of fiction & non-fiction
  • Use dictionaries to check meaning
  • Prepare poems & plays to perform
  • Check own understanding of reading
  • Draw inferences & make predictions
  • Retrieve & record information from non-fiction books
  • Discuss reading with others

English - Grammar

  • Use range of conjunctions
  • Use perfect tense
  • Use range of nouns & pronouns
  • Use time connectives
  • Introduce speech punctuation
  • Know language of clauses
  • Give structured descriptions
  • Participate activity in conversation
  • Consider & evaluate different viewpoints

Art and Design

  • Use sketchbooks to collect, record and evaluate ideas
  • Improve mastery of techniques such as drawing, painting and sculpture with varied materials
  • Learn about great artists, architects & designers

Design and Technology

  • Use research& criteria to develop products which are fit for purpose
  • Use annotated sketches and prototypes to explain ideas
  • Evaluate existing products and improve own work
  • Use mechanical systems in own work
  • Understand seasonality; prepare & cook mainly savoury dishes

Geography

  • Name & locate world’s continents and oceans
  • Compare local area to a non-European country
  • Use basic vocabulary to describe a less familiar area
  • Use aerial images and other models to create simple plans and maps, using symbols
  • Use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the immediate environment

Modern Languages

  • Listen & engage
  • Ask & answer questions
  • Speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary
  • Develop appropriate pronunciation
  • Show understanding of words & phrases
  • Appreciate stories, songs, poems & rhymes
  • Broaden vocabulary

Mathematics - Number/Calculation

  • Learn 3, 4 & 8x tables
  • Secure place value to 100
  • Mentally add & subtract units, tens or hundreds to numbers of up to 3 digits
  • Written column addition & subtraction
  • Solve number problems, including multiplication & simple division and missing number problems
  • Use commutativity to help calculations

Mathematics - Geometry and Measures

  • Measure & calculate with metric measures
  • Measure simple perimeter
  • Add/subtract using money in context
  • Use Roman numerals up to XII; tell time
  • Calculate using simple time problems
  • Draw 2-d / Make 3-d shapes
  • Identify and use right angles
  • Identify horizontal, vertical, perpendicular and parallel lines

Mathematics - Fractions

  • Use & count in tenths
  • Recognise, find & write fractions
  • Recognise some equivalent fractions
  • Add/subtract fractions up to
  • Order fractions with common denominator
  • Interpret bar charts & pictograms

Science

  • Plants, incl. parts, lifecycle and requirements for life
  • Animals: skeletons & nutrition
  • Classification of rock types
  • Simple understanding of fossilisation
  • Sources of light; shadows & reflections
  • Simple forces, including magnetism

History

  • Stone Age to Iron Age Britain, including:
  • - hunter-gatherers and early farmers
  • - Bronze age religion, technology & travel
  • - Iron age hill forts
  • A local history study:
  • - A depth study linked to a studied period
  • - A study over a period of time
  • - A post-1066 study of relevant local history

Computing

  • Design & write programs to achieve specific goals, including solving problems
  • Use logical reasoning
  • Understand computer networks
  • Use internet safely and appropriately
  • Collect and present data appropriately

Music

  • Use voice & instruments with increasing accuracy, control and expression
  • Improvise & compose music
  • Listen with attention to detail
  • Appreciate wide range of live & recorded music
  • Begin to develop understanding of history
Click here to compare against the UK Government website

Every pupil and teacher brings with them a diversity of skills, experience, needs and expectations. These factors will play a large part in shaping the dynamics within each classroom, especially in Key Stage 3 age group.

Many pupils in this age group will be at different stages of experience, confidence, and skill development concerning active methodologies. With our teachers’ knowledge, we will aim to factor this into the planning of lessons. Your input in this new remote learning experience is therefore essential, especially at the beginning of this process.

Please feel free to share with us information about topics and subjects that you would like to see more of in our schedules and for our teachers to concentrate on. Please be specific for which year group within Key Stage 3 this should apply to.

We will compile the information, liaise with our team, and when possible, facilitate and add subjects and lessons that are the most in-demand. Please complete this form, and we’ll start collating your requests! Be assured that your information will be kept confidential and will be held in accordance with GDPR guidelines. For more details, please read our Privacy Policy.

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