Thrive Curriculum Stories

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

LOTF

Inspired by Lord of the Flies, this unit invites Year 7 students to imagine being stranded on a mysterious island, far from civilisation. As survival becomes a challenge, students will explore how fear, leadership, and friendship shape their characters’ actions. They’ll develop creative writing skills by crafting vivid settings, building tension, and creating realistic characters in extreme situations. With a focus on imagination and storytelling, students will produce their own island survival narrative—full of danger, drama, and discovery. 

Northern Lights

In this engaging oracy-focused unit, Year 7 students will explore Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights while developing their speaking and listening skills. Through debates, role-play, hot-seating and group discussions, students will delve into big ideas like identity, truth, and growing up. As they follow Lyra’s journey, they’ll learn to express opinions clearly, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully. The unit builds confidence and communication, culminating in a structured speaking task, where students showcase their understanding of the novel’s themes and their growing oracy skills. 

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Poetry

In this powerful and thought-provoking unit, Year 8 students explore how poets respond to major historical events such as 9/11, Apartheid, and the Holocaust. Through a diverse range of poems, students develop key analytical skills by comparing how different writers use language, structure, and perspective to convey the human impact of global tragedies. They will learn to link poems to their historical contexts, build comparisons, and express their ideas clearly with evidence. With opportunities for creative responses, guided reading, and structured writing practice, this unit helps students become thoughtful, independent thinkers who can engage critically with both literature and history. 

Short Stories

Step into the world of masterful storytelling as Year 8 students embark on a dynamic exploration of classic and contemporary short fiction. From the eerie psychological depths of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ to the poignant social realism of Langston Hughes’ ‘Thank You, Ma’am’, this unit immerses students in diverse narratives that challenge, inspire, and ignite the imagination. Through close reading and creative interpretation, students refine their analytical skills, uncovering the intricate layers of narrative structure, characterisation, themes, and literary devices, while engaging in story mapping, dramatic performances, and reinventing endings to step into the shoes of storytellers themselves. More than just reading, this unit is a critical thinking challenge, encouraging students to explore how writers craft meaning and manipulate language to shape powerful messages, ensuring that by the final analytical assessment, they have deepened their understanding of short fiction while developing the skills to read between the lines, question narratives, and craft compelling interpretations of their own.  

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Poetry – Rhyme nor Reason 

A poetry unit exploring voice, culture, and meaning beyond the expected. This is not your typical poetry collection. Rhyme nor Rhythm brings together a bold and diverse range of favourite poems chosen by your English teachers - poems that speak from different continents, cultures, and perspectives. From the defiant voice of “Sonny’s Lettah” in Jamaican patois, to the deep symbolism in “How to Eat a Pomegranate”, and the quiet power of “The Mississippi River Empties into the Gulf”, this unit invites you to hear the world through language. You’ll explore how poets break rules, bend structure, and speak truth - even when there’s no rhyme, nor reason, as we know it. Through close analysis, discussion, and creative response, you’ll uncover hidden meanings, challenge assumptions, and develop your own voice.

Poetry is for everyone - and in this unit, you’ll discover why.

Othello

In this unit, Year 9 students will explore Shakespeare’s Othello, examining its powerful themes of jealousy, manipulation, identity, and power. Through close reading, drama activities, and analytical discussion, students will develop their understanding of Shakespearean language, character development, and dramatic structure. They will consider how the play reflects issues of race, trust, and betrayal—many of which remain relevant today. This unit builds key skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and written expression, while encouraging students to engage critically with one of Shakespeare’s most compelling tragedies. 

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Foundations and Number Sense

In Year 7, students embark on an exciting mathematical journey by mastering Place Value, Types of Number, and Calculations. These fundamental topics serve as the building blocks for all future mathematics. Pupils explore the development of number systems through history, drawing inspiration from Eratosthenes’ work on prime numbers and the invention of Indo-Arabic numerals, which revolutionized mathematics. This context helps students appreciate the power of numbers beyond the classroom. Practical investigations like the Place Value Inquiry and Product of Factors challenge students to discover patterns and justify their reasoning, enhancing logical thinking. Teachers use visual aids, interactive games, and collaborative problem-solving tasks to foster engagement and deepen understanding. These activities encourage resilience, as students learn to tackle challenges with curiosity and confidence. Parents can support learning by engaging children in everyday discussions about numbers and their applications, such as budgeting or measuring, to connect schoolwork with real life. The term’s focus on clear, methodical thinking provides a strong foundation, helping students feel empowered to explore mathematics creatively.

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Percentages, Ratio, and Proportion

In Year 8, students deepen their mathematical understanding through essential topics like Percentages, Ratio, and Proportion, which have wide applications in finance, science, and daily life. Inspired by the brilliance of polymaths such as Leonardo da Vinci and mathematician Katherine Johnson, learners explore how these concepts enable precise comparisons and predictions. Investigations like the Percentages Inquiry and Ratio Inquiry encourage analytical thinking and problem-solving, helping students develop confidence in manipulating these ideas in various contexts. Enrichment activities, including the Fire Hydrants Challenge, promote creativity, teamwork, and communication, providing opportunities for students to apply mathematics to real-world scenarios. The curriculum incorporates group discussions and hands-on tasks that foster collaborative learning and resilience. Parents can support their children by discussing everyday applications, such as discounts while shopping or recipe adjustments, which help contextualize mathematical concepts outside the classroom. This term’s focus on ratio and proportion strengthens students’ number sense and analytical skills, preparing them for more complex mathematical reasoning in subsequent years.

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Ratio, Percentages, and Algebraic Foundations

In Year 9, students build on previous knowledge with deeper exploration of Ratio, Percentages, Fractions, and Algebra. They delve into topics such as index laws, surds, and recurring decimals, inspired by trailblazing mathematicians like Ada Lovelace and Emmy Noether, who revolutionised mathematical thinking and computation. Investigations such as Base and Index and Recurring Decimals encourage analytical skills, precision, and detailed reasoning. These complex topics challenge students to develop perseverance and logical thinking, essential skills for higher mathematics. Group challenges and classroom debates foster a collaborative environment, encouraging students to communicate their reasoning clearly. Parents can support by engaging their children in exploring algebraic patterns and challenging puzzles, which build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This term solidifies foundational algebraic understanding and prepares students for more advanced applications in future study.

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Statement

AUTUMN

Introduction to Science and Acids and Alkalis

Watch confidence and curiosity ignite as pupils master lab safety, light Bunsen burners, and explore real chemical reactions. From testing acids to creating natural indicators using red cabbage, they’ll think like scientists—investigating, analysing, and presenting discoveries using graphs and tables. It’s hands-on learning that sparks lifelong scientific thinking and wonder.

Cells, Organization and Photosynthesis

Step into the invisible world where life begins. From constructing cells to peering through microscopes and dissecting chicken legs, pupils uncover how cells power entire systems. It’s bold, hands-on science—exploring the human body, mastering magnification, and revealing the extraordinary in every living thing.

Particle Model

Discover how solids, liquids, and gases behave through fun, collaborative experiments. Pupils investigate melting, evaporation, diffusion, and gas pressure while developing scientific skills and teamwork. This unit blends practical science with key vocabulary, making complex concepts clear, exciting, and relevant to the world around us.

Atoms, Elements and Compounds

Dive into the world of atoms and molecules with hands-on experiments and interactive models. Students explore the periodic table, learn to write chemical formulae, and discover how elements combine to create new substances—building essential chemistry skills with real-life connections and engaging activities.

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Statement

AUTUMN

Key Skills in Science

Who committed the crime? In this engaging investigation, students step into the role of forensic scientists—examining fingerprints, analysing handwriting, and testing unknown substances to uncover the truth. Using microscopes, chromatography, and DNA sequencing, they gather vital clues, evaluate evidence, explore bias, and build a compelling case to identify the culprit.

Food, Digestion and Drugs

This engaging unit reveals how diet, digestion, and health intertwine. Students conduct practical food tests, investigate enzymes, and interpret nutrition labels while sharpening data skills. The journey concludes with a thoughtful look at drug classification and effects, offering a comprehensive understanding of what supports overall health.

Periodic Table

This unit brings chemistry to life through hands-on modelling, equation balancing, and investigations into trends in the periodic table. Students examine the difference between physical changes and chemical reactions, building scientific understanding through practical activities and extended writing that reinforce key concepts and skills.

Metals and Non-metals

This chemistry unit reveals the secrets of metals—from their everyday uses to the dramatic reactions they undergo. Through practical experiments, learners build equations, test reactivity, and explore the energy behind chemical bonds. A focus on precision and analysis helps develop both scientific skill and real-world understanding.

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Global Biomes

The year 7 curriculum starts by looking at global biomes. The unit takes students on a tour around the world looking at the adaptations of flora and fauna in tropical rainforests, hot deserts, the cold tundra of the Arctic and the savannah. Students are provided with the opportunity to understand how climate shapes biome distribution as well as beginning to consider the threats that these biomes face due to human activity. Within this unit students take part in their very first experiential experience where they visit Kew Gardens to see first-hand the adaptations of flora in the biomes they have learned about. The course is assessed with a written assessment focusing on the knowledge and skills the students have learned throughout their lessons.  

The Development Gap

This unit looks at the causes and impacts of global inequality. Students embark on this journey by understanding how development can be measured through a range of indicators such as birth rate, GDP and HDI.  They are then exposed to the historical, physical and economic causes that have led to the gap between the world's richest and poorest countries and are finally encouraged to consider the effectiveness of different strategies which can help reduce the gap. One of the strategies students look at is trade; to help students better understand the impact trade has on reducing the gap, they take part in their second experiential experience by playing The Trading Game. The course is assessed with students writing a reflection on the impact of trade on reducing the gap and helping lower income countries develop more effectively.  

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Fast Fashion

Year 8 begin their geography journey learning about an industry that they are all a part of. As consumers we are all a part of the global machine that drives the fast fashion industry. Students are exposed to the key concept of globalisation as the engine that drives this industry. They develop their learning from year 7 on the role of TNCs on the fast fashion industry building an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of these companies on the host country. Finally, the scheme ends with students watching the Stacey Dooley documentary on the environmental impact of fast fashion leading to discussions around sustainable fashion practices and what we as consumers can do to reduce these impacts on people and place.  

Natural Resources

Natural Resources is a topic that has two components; there is the geographical knowledge which focuses on our use of natural resources, sustainable practices, and the creation of sustainable cities by looking at Masdar City in the UAE, Singapore and BedZed in Sutton, England. The second component is geographical skills where students conduct an enquiry looking at how sustainable Park View School is. They go through the six-stage enquiry cycle completing each section including the opportunity to collect their own primary data which they then use to analyse and reach their conclusions.  

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Russia

Russia, a country that is undergoing massive change and has become a hot topic over the last few years. Students are given the opportunity to better understand the world’s largest land mass in terms of its population distribution, physical geography and natural resources as well as delve into the causes and impacts of ongoing conflict in the region. By better understanding the geography of this country students are then able to understand the relationship Russia has with its neighbours both near and far.  

Geopolitics and conflict

In this scheme of learning students will build on their understanding from the Russia scheme of work, on how geopolitics i.e., the relationship that physical geography has on political decisions has led to conflicts. Students will explore the causes and effects of historical conflicts around the world as well as focus on some of the more recent ones. The purpose of the scheme is to engage students in current affairs and for them to know that geography is the pivotal component in most conflicts from a regional, national, and international scale. It will allow students to express their opinions but also consider their role in helping to resolve some of these conflicts by introducing them to Amnesty International.  

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

The history of West Green Road and Park View School

Our year 7 curriculum begins with two local history units that connects our students to the streets and buildings that they visit every day that they come to Park View School. They start by exploring the history of West Green Road, from our earliest records in the 1600s until the present day, and along the way discover how this part of London has a rich and diverse history. This will be commemorated in a task asking the students to design a blue plaque about some of the key individuals associated with West Green Road. 

They then move onto the history of the school, looking at how the school has changed, but also in some ways stayed the same since it opened on this site in 1970. This will include a walking tour of the school to look at how the buildings and classrooms have evolved over the last 5 decades. The students complete a piece of extended writing looking at change and continuity at Park View.  

What can we make the traces of migrant stories reveal about England before 1066? 

Our next unit helps the students move from the local to the national and international by focusing on migration to Britain in the early Middle Ages. They will explore a range of different migrants including Romans, Vikings and the Amesbury Archer, and think about the reasons why they came to England and their experiences when they settled here. The final outcome of the unit is a poster which allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of the topics.  

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Enclosure

Our year 8 curriculum starts by exploring one of the most significant changes in the lives of everyday people in England over the last 800 years – the loss of their land to private ownership, known as enclosure. Students will examine the way in which enclosure led to a massive growth in public protest, and the resulting criminalising of a significant number of people. They also look at the impact of enclosure on popular culture including music and art. The course is assessed by a short piece of extended writing focusing on the consequences of enclosure.  

The expanding world of the Tudors and Stuarts

This unit looks at the dramatic changes that were happening in Tudor England with the religious changes that were brought in by the Reformation and the creation of the Protestant church across Europe. At the same time, English people were making contacts with other communities around the world, with the start of the British Empire in America and the Caribbean. This contributed to the increasing numbers of Africans living in England during this period, known as ‘Black Tudors’ and the unit focuses on the lives of key individuals such as John Blanke, the trumpeter for King Henry VIII. The final task is a mapping activity which enables students to identify and explain the connections between Tudor England and the wider world.  

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Women’s Rights since 1900

The fight for equality for women stretches back centuries, however the focus for this unit is specifically on the campaign for votes for women in the early 1900s. The students will compare the tactics of the Suffragists and the Suffragettes and explore the impact of the First World War in changing the position of British women. The unit concludes by bringing the struggle into contemporary Britain and ask the students to decide whether the first wave of feminism, alongside the activism of the 1970s and 1980s that brought changes in the laws on Equal Pay and Sex Discrimination, have gone far enough in creating equality for women in the 21^st century.

What can we learn about the First World War from soldier’s letters?

This unit focuses on the lives of two soldiers during the First World War as a vehicle for understanding what the day to day experience of a typical soldier looked like. Reg Wilkes’ letters describe a range of different activities that the soldiers take part in away from the front line, whereas Walter Tull goes deep into the mission he led behind enemy lines. Tull’s experience as the first Black Infantry Officer in the British Army provides a different dynamic for the student’s to explore and some of the lessons in the unit also focus on his pioneering career as a professional footballer playing for Tottenham in 1909-10.

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Drama Skills

In  Autumn one we spend our Drama lessons introducing our year 7s to the key Drama performance skills, working collaboratively with peers and building confidence on stage. Our year 7s will learn how to develop a character through the use of body and voice.  We will develop skills around working collaboratively with other Drama students. We will learn about the importance of focus and commitment to role. We will build confidence around performing in a group and on stage in front of peers. We will develop dialogue for a variety of role plays, playing a variety of different characters.  

Hamlet

In Autumn two we explore Shakespeare's Hamlet. This is a brilliant opportunity to introduce our students to the world and words of Shakespeare. Students build on their performance skills that are introduced in Autumn one and begin to work with text. The main part of the unit is exploring Hamlet's famous 'to be or not to be' monologue, in which our year 7s will develop vocal and physical ideas for this piece of text, rehearsing it both collaboratively and individually. We explore the meaning behind the text and look at some of the major themes and characters from the play. At the end of the term, our year 7s perform their monologues with all of their staging decisions and character interpretations. 

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Blood Brothers

In  Autumn one we begin exploring more complex texts with our Year 8 Drama students. The students explore and interpret script and character as they study Willy Russell's play Blood Brothers. The students explore the different characters in the play, blocking using stage directions and applying these skills onto their scripts. Through these scripts, they will also study key themes and issues such as nature vs. nurture, family, social class and friendship. The students will explore a range of scripts, and then eventually prepare one extract from Blood Brothers to perform as their final assessment for the unit. 

Twisted Tales

In Autumn two we will study a new unit this year called Twisted Tales. This is a unit which incorporates Melodrama and Pantomime. Students will explore the history of Pantomime and develop physical and vocal skills around this style. Students will use their new skills to develop a twisted fairytale that they will devise and develop in groups. This fairytale will then be rehearsed and refined using the skills of Pantomime, which will then be performed as a group assessment at the end of the term. 

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Stanislavski

In the Autumn term of year 9 we will study key theatre practitioners as we begin to develop skills for the GCSE course ahead. In Autumn one, year 9 students will be exposed to the theories and acting techniques of Konstantin Stanislavski. This is a style of Realism that was born in the early 20th century, which has set the scene for modern playwriting and film and television as we know it today. Stanislavski's theatre encourages the audience to emotionally engage in the scenes and characters they watch, and asks the students to develop engaging and truthful characters. Students will study August Wilson's play King Hedley II; exploring characters and extracts from this text. They will study Stanislavski's acting principles around this. During the unit, we will explore Given Circumstance, Objectives, Tactics, Emotion Memory Re-Call and the Magic If. Students will learn, rehearse and refine a script extract from King Hedley, which they will both perform and write an evaluation on. 

Brecht

In Autumn two, year 9 students will study another of the major GCSE practitioners; Bertolt Brecht. His acting theories build on the work of Stanislavski to create the bread and butter of modern theatre. Brecht's theatre is political, and asks students to reflect on the world around them and the issues that are important to them. Brecht's Epic Theatre alienates the audience, and instead of making the audience feel like in Stanislavski's theatre, Brecht asks the audience to question what they are watching, and consider how they might want to change the world. We will study Brecht's Epic techniques such as breaking the fourth wall, monologue, placards, switching roles, montage, spass and freeze frames. Students will work in groups, and will eventually chose a topic of importance to them, building a performance using Brecht's Epic Theatre techniques. 

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Musicianship

In this Scheme of learning students will develop core musical skills, creating strong foundations on which they will build their learning through the rest of Key Stage 3. Students will have the opportunity to learn fundamental rhythmic notation through rhythm games, singing and djembe drumming circles. Over the course of the term students will build up a repertoire of songs that will embed embodied musical learning, delivering essential musical theory in a fun, engaging and practical manner. The culmination of this scheme of work will take the form of a massed performance with year 7 students all singing as a part of their end of term celebration assembly.

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Salsa music – Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, and Piano montuno

Students will continue to develop their ensemble music making skills in this scheme of work. In this vibrant and deeply rhythmic genre of music students will work together to create whole class performances of two salsa styles – Cha cha cha and mambo. Students will learn and perform a variety of interlocking rhythms, Cascara, Clave, Montuno and Tumbao to create rich ensemble performances. Students will also focus on appraising their performances and practice throughout this unit of work, through listening to a range of Salsa music performances and completing evaluative questions.

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Horror film music

Student’s will explore the emotive power present in music through studying a variety of compositional techniques used in the genre of horror film music. As this scheme of work progresses students will build up a repertoire of musical devices that they will be able to deploy creatively in their own compositions – Drone, Ostinatos, Cluster Chords, Semitones, Tritones. Students will develop their understanding of utilising music technology, by creating their compositions in the Digital Audio Workstation, GarageBand. Student’s will be able to edit midi regions, quantise, select appropriate instruments and adjust tempo – all to further their creative vision in the music they write to accompany a short scene from a horror film.

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Pewter Key Ring

Embarking on their Year 7 Design Technology journey, students step into the workshop for the first time, where imagination meets industry. Through hands-on experience with machinery and tools, they transform their personal designs into tangible creations—crafting a unique pewter key ring that not only reflects their creativity but also marks the beginning of their journey as confident and capable young makers. 

Food and Nutrition

In Year 7, students begin an exciting introduction to food and nutrition within the food room—a space where learning comes to life through flavour, creativity, and hands-on experience. As they develop their knowledge and cook a variety of savoury and sweet dishes, they build essential life skills that go far beyond the kitchen. This journey not only empowers them to make informed, healthy choices but also equips them with the confidence and independence to nourish themselves and others for life. 

Nature Prints

In Year 7, students are introduced to the creative world of textiles, where they explore the art of sewing and poly printing, drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns found in nature. Through hands-on practice, they bring their ideas to life, developing both technical skills and artistic expression. This journey sparks imagination, builds confidence, and lays the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of design, creativity, and the natural world.

Exploring the formal elements of Art

In this project, you’ll dive into the Formal Elements of Art—tone, line, colour, space, form, shape, and texture—unlocking the foundations of visual expression through a series of exciting, hands-on techniques. From delicate watercolours to bold oil pastels, textured frottage to expressive ink work, you'll experiment with a range of materials to discover how each element brings a different layer to your work.

You’ll explore how light creates depth, how lines guide the eye, and how texture can be built through layering and mark-making. Through collage, mixed media, and creative exploration, you’ll learn to trust your instincts, develop your style, and communicate ideas with greater confidence.

 The skills you build here will form the foundation for all your future artistic adventures.

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Food and Nutrition

In Year 8, students deepen their understanding of food and nutrition, building on their skills to become more confident and capable in the kitchen. Through a diverse range of practical experiences, they explore global cuisines and learn to adapt savoury dishes to meet different dietary needs. This enriching project not only broadens their culinary horizons but also fosters empathy, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the role food plays in cultures and communities around the world. 

Memphis Clock

In Year 8, students dive into the bold and vibrant world of the Memphis Design movement, where they are encouraged to think creatively and challenge conventional design rules. Inspired by its playful shapes and striking colours, they take a personal design journey—transforming their ideas into a functional clock using CAD/CAM technology. This project not only enhances their digital design and manufacturing skills but also inspires them to see how art, technology, and creativity can come together to make something truly unique. 

Day of the Dead

In Year 8, students continue to develop their textiles and sewing skills through a vibrant and meaningful exploration of the Day of the Dead celebration. Drawing on the rich colours, symbols, and traditions of this cultural event, they design and create bold, expressive textile pieces that showcase both creativity and craftsmanship. This project not only deepens their understanding of global celebrations but also encourages personal expression and pride in producing fun, imaginative, and culturally inspired outcomes. 

The art of observation – Still Life with Cezanne

In this inspiring Year 8 project, you’ll take a fresh look at the everyday through the lens of still life—transforming ordinary objects into striking works of art. Building on the skills developed in Year 7, you will now explore more deeply how to use shape and form, and how to capture the effects of light through tone—including highlights, midtones and shadows—as well as working with tints, tones and shades to create depth and realism in your compositions.

Taking inspiration from the master of modern still life, Paul Cézanne, you’ll examine how he used bold brushstrokes and carefully structured shapes to turn fruit, bottles, and bowls into dynamic, thoughtful pieces. Through your own painted composition, you’ll experiment with colour mixing, layering, and brush control.  As you build your final composition you’ll express your unique perspective through paint,  you’ll discover how to balance observation with creativity, and how to use colour and tone to bring still life to life.

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

LED Light

In this project students will design and build their very own LED desk or mood light.  Blending creativity with technical skill, they will develop an understanding of basic electronic components, such as resistors, LEDs, switches and circuits, alongside safe soldering techniques and product design principles. 

Throughout the project, students will be introduced to key electronic theory, including circuit diagrams, Ohm’s Law, and how to select appropriate components for safe and effective lighting.  They'll also gain hands-on experience with tools and materials and explore how form and function work together to create user-friendly, appealing products. 

By the end of this unit, they’ll have produced a fully functioning light that’s entirely their own—designed, built and tested by themselves.  This project not only encourages independence and innovation, but also prepares the students for more advanced D&T and STEM challenges in the future.

Graphics

In this exciting project, students will step into the role of a designer, exploring the powerful language of graphic communication through a focus on perspective drawing, rendering, and isometric techniques. They will discover how designers bring their ideas to life on the page—turning 2D sketches into convincing 3D forms that communicate structure, style, and function with precision and creativity.

From the rules of one- and two-point perspective to the accuracy of isometric projection, students will learn how to present their ideas clearly and professionally, just like real architects, engineers and product designers. They will also develop their rendering skills—using tone, texture, and colour to add depth and realism to their drawings, helping others visualise their concepts exactly as they imagine them. 

Faces of Identity – Exploring Self Through Portraiture

In this powerful and thought-provoking project, you will explore the theme of identity through the rich and expressive world of portraiture. Looking at traditional, modern, and contemporary styles, you’ll investigate how artists across time and cultures have represented the human face—not just to capture a likeness, but to tell deeper stories about who we are, where we come from, and how we see ourselves and others.

At the heart of this project is the vibrant work of Mustafa Maluka, a contemporary artist whose bold, colourful portraits celebrate cultural diversity and challenge ideas of identity, race, and representation. Inspired by Maluka’s unique use of geometric backgrounds, unexpected colour palettes, and global influences, you’ll create your own portrait that reflects aspects of your own identity—blending traditional techniques with modern expression.

Through drawing, painting, and mixed media, you’ll explore how colour, line, pattern, and symbolism can be used to express personality, heritage, and individuality. This is your chance to explore what makes you you, while developing your technical and creative skills and producing a final piece that is as meaningful as it is visually striking.

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Students begin by being able to describe their own physical appearance and that of others. We then expand on this so that students can describe their own and other people’s personality. We use a variety of interactive activities to achieve this including running translations, battleships, tic tac toe and a whole host of educational games to enthuse our students. We assess their progress with a quick grammar test to ensure they are understanding key concepts around half term. At the end of term students are assessed through a short verbal presentation about themselves and a member of their family.

During the Autumn term students take part in a film festival in our Auditorium where they watch a French/Spanish film in the original language. We also teach our students about French/Spanish Christmas and New Year traditions as well as exposing them to a French poem about Christmas by Jacques Prévert and to traditional Spanish Christmas songs called ‘villancicos’.

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Students begin by being able to describe where they go in town, as well as being able to give an opinion about their neighbourhood and justify it. We then expand on this in the second autumn term by introducing future timeframes, whilst maintaining the continuity of the vocabulary theme ‘in town’. At the end of the term the students are asked to write a short presentation about their home (revising year 7 summer term) and local area which they then present to the class.

During the Autumn term students take part in a film festival in our Auditorium where they watch a new French/Spanish film which has been introduced to the French and Spanish UK film Festival. We also look at which countries in the world speak French/Spanish and past colonialism, this works hand in hand with our school’s anti-racism agenda. Students are introduced to the works of anti-colonialist writers such as Aimé Cesaire, a Martinique-born French intellectual, and his coining of the term ‘negritude’ through the poem ‘soleil et eau’ and José Martí, a Cuban-born political activist and his work ‘soy un hombre sincero’ which was then transformed into the famous song ‘Guantanamera’.  

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

In the Autumn Term we tackle the very big topic of Holidays. This is also one of the biggest GCSE topics and prepares them a little should they continue with a language into Year 10. In the first part of the term, we consolidate present and future tenses including conditional mood. Students are also able to consolidate their understanding of prepositions. In the second part of the term, we introduce the past tense which is very challenging. Students learn how to describe a past holiday. This is checked with a quick progress test at half term and then a final assessment at the end of the term students write a 90 word essay in target language using the three tenses, this is also the GCSE crossover qustion and gives many of our students the confidence they lack to choose a language for further study. Students are then asked to read their essay out loud to ensure they are progressing in their phonics of the foreign language.

In the Autumn Term students are offered an assembly with ambassadors from a university who explain why languages is a flexible choice. In the past year we have had SOAS come and give some excellent workshops and presentations. We try to book top universities to broaden aspirations. Students also study a current music festival, be that ‘La fete de la musique’ in France or Barcelona’s music festival. We expose students to contemporary Spanish/French music and ask them to judge it.

Term

Yr 7 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Games activities

Students are introduced to the field of play by participating in a range of invasion games, providing them with a foundation in key skills, tactical understanding, and physical literacy. A focus is the development of the core skill of passing, which underpins successful team play, alongside the importance of communication, accuracy, and decision-making. In addition to practical skill development, students will begin to build their knowledge, including the basic rules and explore the key components of fitness that enhance performance. 

Net and Wall activities

As students step into the cauldron of different net and wall arenas, they will be welcomed into a supportive and challenging environment that promotes resilience, focus, and sporting excellence where champions are made. Serving, which initiates play and is critical to success in all net and wall sports will be the skill focus. Additionally, students will develop their knowledge of the fundamental rules including court markings, scoring systems and discover the key components of fitness that support performance. 

Health related fitness

Students will enter the world of health-related fitness within the fitness suite – a place where physical, mental and social health and fitness needs can be achieved through individual training. Students will develop their cardiovascular endurance through activities such as a 1-mile run, where students will learn how pacing, consistency, and effort contribute to cardiovascular improvement. In addition, health, safety and etiquette will be a focus to empower students in feeling confident and comfortable within a gym environment. 

Term

Yr 8 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Games activities

Students will focus on developing their performance in invasion games including football, basketball, netball, and handball. They will sharpen their technical skills for the field of play, with a particular emphasis on dribbling, enhancing their tactical understanding and learn how to outwit opponents through effective decision-making. In addition, students will expand their theoretical knowledge of muscle groups and different types of training. 

Net and Wall activities

Students will step back into the dynamic arenas of net and wall games, including badminton, table tennis, and volleyball. They will be challenged to handle the pressure of competition while thriving in a supportive environment that fosters sporting excellence. Students will develop key skills such as clear, push, and set shots, all essential for success in net and wall sports. Alongside, students will expand their knowledge of the muscular system and various types of training, applying them to better their game effectiveness. 

Health related activities

Students are back in the fitness suite where a dedicated environment is created to develop physical, mental, and social health through individualised training. The focus is on completing their 1-mile run, with students learning to apply effective pacing strategies to enhance aerobic performance. Students will deepen their knowledge of the muscular system and various types of training to support sporting prowess. 

Term

Yr 9 Unit

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Games activities

Students will continue to develop their skills in invasion games including football, basketball, netball, and handball. The focus will be on fine-tuning shooting techniques across a variety of sports-specific contexts, while also broadening their tactical awareness. Students will be encouraged to analyse both their own and others' performance, using feedback to make meaningful improvements. In addition, they will deepen their knowledge of the principles of training, to enhance their fitness and performance on the field of play.

Net and Wall activities

Students will advance their skills in net and wall games, including badminton, table tennis, and volleyball. They will sharpen their precise attacking shots to become more effective at finishing rallies and outplaying opponents in competitive indoor arenas. Furthermore, students will broaden their sporting knowledge by analysing their own and others' performances, identifying strengths and areas for improvement through the use of the principles of training, enabling students to connect fitness concepts with performance enhancement. 

Health related activities

Students return to the fitness suite to build on their prior knowledge and skills through individualised training. Their practical focus will be on completing their 1-mile run in the fastest time possible, applying effective pacing strategies to improve their aerobic performance. Students will strengthen their understanding of the principles of training and how these can be applied to enhance their own and others overall fitness and sporting performance in both recreational and competitive environments. 

Term

Yr 7 and 8 Units

Curriculum Story

AUTUMN

Digital Literacy

The Year 7 and 8 Computing curriculum starts by providing learners with the skills to navigate through the Park View School virtual learning environment, manage files, and understand the department's computer use policy. Students will also learn how to use search engines effectively, create documents using various editing features, and demonstrate confident use of emails. In addition, students will explore the concepts of Cyber Security and the importance of staying safe online. In our dynamic world of technology, it is important that students can identify types of social media threats, types of Malwares and know how to report cyberbullying.  

Python Turtle

Students will learn how to create regular polygons using a range of Python Turtle coding commands. This will also include calculating angles for a given polygon and line distances. Python is a very popular coding language used in the technology industry, and this is a stepping stone towards building necessary coding skills in preparation for the world of work. Students will also use Python code to colour-fill polygons and use Looping techniques.  

Code.org Sprite Lab

This unit explores the use of coding blocks to create fun and engaging interactive platform maze games and animations. Students will learn how to use a variety of coding techniques to animate Sprite characters and implement collision detection. In addition, students will learn how to use Variables, Logic, Buttons, and Behaviors when creating animations. This unit also explores the use of algorithmic and computational thinking skills necessary to solve scenario-based problems.