Art in Years 7–9 cover skills of drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional work. This happens in lesson time and during our wide range of co-curricular sessions every week. Drawing lies at the core of all the work undertaken and projects are planned so that pupils have a wide range of opportunities to use the many materials, techniques and the staff expertise available to them.

There are opportunities to display group project work and individual pieces throughout the school. Year 7–9 pupils also get the opportunity to look at GCSE and A Level work in the department to inspire them and encourage them to think ahead to their options.

The aims of studying Art at Queen’s: 

• To think creatively, analyse and link artwork
• To explore a variety of materials and techniques, taking creative risks
• To express their individuality while embracing new ideas
• To build confidence and perseverance in their work and approach, to feel proud of themselves

Year 7, 8 and 9:

Pupils cover basic drawing techniques, painting and colour mixing, printmaking and ceramics. Work is undertaken in the context of other artists’ work, referencing social and cultural values. We also look at opportunities for future creative careers that link to our subject, and our pupils’ skills, as-well as how our projects link with other subjects in the school.

Examples of techniques and materials covered throughout these years:

• Drawing in pencil, conte, charcoal, soft, oil pastel and collage
• Painting in acrylics, coloured inks and watercolour
• Print-making including collagraph, etching and mono-printing
• Drawing with wire and creating three dimensional pieces
• Working on small and very large scales
• Working to display in a particular area of the school

During Year 9, the projects will give the pupils a taste of what is to be expected at GCSE. By the end of Year 9, all the basic skills required for GCSE Art will have been covered so that pupils may embark on the examination course with enthusiasm and confidence.

Is business everywhere? How often do you get through a day without an interaction with a business? Should you run your own business or work within a big organisation?  

In Year 9 at Queen’s, you will embark on a fascinating adventure into the world of business, marketing and entrepreneurship, whilst building a foundation for GCSE and A Level or BTEC. Giving answers to the questions of ‘Where do business ideas come from?’,‘Why are businesses like Amazon so successful? Or ‘To what extent do the risks outweigh the rewards of running your own business?’

In the Business department we have a team of experienced and passionate practitioners who spark interest and instil an enquiring approach to learning. Our team comes from diverse industry backgrounds, from hospitality, retail, events management, construction and logistics, this combined with their vast teaching experience enables them to bring the subject to life in the classroom. 

In Business Studies at KS3 pupils will develop an awareness of entrepreneurship, different types of business, how they operate, and an introduction to marketing. This helps pupils to be able to put their existing awareness and experiences of businesses into context, whilst also sparking an interest in and understanding of the links between business and everyday life. This is developed further through our co-curricular choices the Enterprise Award Programme, which offers students the opportunity to develop practical business skills and Stock Market Challenge, a simulated trading experience.

Computers are now woven into the fabric of our daily lives, making technology an essential part of both our home and work environments. To thrive in this digital landscape, it’s crucial for all students to master “computational thinking”. This vital skill prepares them not just for the workplace, but for active participation in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Pupils experience Computing through two key avenues: integrated learning across various subjects and specialised Computer Science lessons, both guided by our expert teaching staff. With a specialist Computer Science teacher leading the department, we can dive deep into the principles of the field, equipping students with essential skills. Additionally, pupils enjoy seamless access to the school’s computer system from home via remote access, enabling them to reach their files and email anytime. With comprehensive wireless coverage throughout the campus, the use of laptops and mobile devices is not only encouraged but is a vital part of their educational journey.

Our revamped computing curriculum is designed to arm students with the essential skills, knowledge, and understanding they’ll need throughout their lives. They won’t just learn how computers and systems operate; they’ll also dive into designing and building programs, transforming their ideas into reality. By harnessing technology, pupils will create a diverse range of digital content, empowering them to innovate and express themselves in exciting new ways!

In Years 7 and 8, pupils are introduced to a broad range of topics to showcase different aspects of digital media and the methods to use them. Alongside this, they develop essential computational thinking skills as they progress from visual programming to a first step into text-based coding. 

In Year 9, pupils focus on understanding the impact of cyber security and its significance in responsible social media use, learning how to navigate the online world more safely while recognizing potential dangers and how to address them. They will further enhance their programming skills using Python, a text-based language, tackling various computational challenges. This learning is primarily hands-on, combining practical exercises with engaging project work to foster creativity and problem-solving.

For Years 7, 8 and 9, lessons are designed to deliver a comprehensive experience in Design and Technology.

This foundation course is designed to provide all pupils with a range of designing, making and evaluating skills through a variety of challenges which also increase technical knowledge. Throughout these tasks students develop important creative problem solving, team working and communication skills that are essential in today’s world. Through these challenges, resilience is built and progress is made.

• Year 7 – An introduction to Design Technology
• Year 8 – Design and making principles
• Year 9 – Computer Aided Design and Manufacture

We have a new modern Design and Technology workshop that comprises traditional woodworking tools and machinery as well as modern computer-aided manufacturing machinery such as Laser and Vinyl cutters and a 3D Printer. Pupils will be introduced to these technologies during Key Stage 3 so they can gain a better understanding of modern manufacturing. The topics covered and projects undertaken at KS3 will help develop a passion for the subject and set pupils on the pathway for success, based on the key skills and knowledge developed which will help them, should they opt to carry on studying Design Technology for GCSE and A Level.

At Queen’s we have tried to develop a workshop environment where health and safety is paramount and pupils can learn how to select and use appropriate tools and machinery independently and with confidence.

Aims:

The schemes of work in Years 7 to 9 aim to equip the students with building blocks to communicate, collaborate and create. The lessons are skills based and aim to sharpen the imagination, engage the mind, raise the confidence and train the body and voice as effective tools to communicate in a variety of contexts.  

The Middle School Play (for Years 7–9) takes place in the Summer Term and is an opportunity for pupils to consolidate the skills acquired in Drama lessons by taking part in a major production as a performer or member of the backstage crew.

Lessons:

In Year 7, the techniques covered will include: freeze framing, stage movement, approaching scripted text, mime and creative movement, chorus work and improvisation.

In Year 8, the techniques covered will include: creating a role, non-verbal communication, developing improvisational skills, chorus work and developing scripted work.

In Year 9, pupils will continue working on collaboration and devising. There will also be some opportunity to work with scripts and develop characterisation. Dialogue and monologue will be focused on in one module.

Performing Arts Scholarships are available at 11+ entry.

Coming to study in a different country, using a different language can be a daunting prospect.  However, learning English as an additional language offers numerous benefits for your future. It enhances career opportunities, as many employers seek candidates with strong English skills. Proficiency in English allows for better communication in an increasingly globalised world, facilitating travel and cultural exchange.   Mastering English can boost confidence and cognitive abilities, enabling you to connect with diverse communities and broaden your horizons.

EAL pupils at Queen’s College frequently see a rapid development in their language abilities as we encourage integration in all aspects of school life and support pupils in being able to access the curriculum and achieve academic success.

EAL pupils at Queen’s College attend EAL lessons in place of mainstream English and/or foreign language lessons. Our experienced teachers use a variety of resources and methods to improve language in terms of reading, writing, listening and speaking, using the CEF (Common European Framework) to monitor progress.

Within their EAL course, KS3 pupils will hone important skills such as: note-taking, article-writing, reading and listening comprehension, and presenting, as well as improving their general language level in terms of grammatical accuracy and vocabulary expansion. Pupils are introduced to many aspects of international and British culture to assist their general integration and cultural awareness.

The Cambridge B1 (Preliminary English Test) and B2 (First Certificate) exams can be taken during KS3 as proof of real achievement in English.  These exams can be taken on-site and are internationally recognised; assessing candidates on their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills (each weighted as 25% of the final grade).

‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.’ (Margaret Fuller)

We believe wholeheartedly that in an unknowable future of AI, English as a discipline fosters and develops the very skills that make us innately human: to reason, to argue, to evaluate, and ultimately to hold to account. Through reading, writing, listening and oracy, communication and an appreciation of language (seeing and using the best words, in the best order) is the heart of what we do, and studying great literature is to see this in practice (the practical that beings alive the theory, to borrow an analogy from Science!). 

Throughout years 7-9 we teach a spiral curriculum, revisiting skills taught in KS2 and building complexity, depth and breadth to give pupils the best possible preparation for GCSE study. Great poetry is taught thematically, building in complexity, and studying Shakespeare is central to our discipline: this body of work is simply the best. The richness of the language in the text is taught in English lessons, and is complemented by exploration of plays in Performing Arts lessons, as our curriculum is deliberately designed to complement each others’. Prose is studied in increasingly ambitious texts, beginning with ‘Private Peaceful’ and understanding the importance of context to a novel, through Victorian Gothic and into the still, silent perfection of Steinbeck. Reading great literature spurs great writing, and much of our writing creativity is imitative. Finally, Year 9 is structured to prepare pupils for a smart start to GCSE. Specific GCSE texts are not taught, but skills and approaches are, with increased rigour: a full Shakespeare play is studied, context-rich poetry, and strategies to build pace in reading comprehension, for example. 

Reading for pleasure is a key element of learning across Queen’s College in its entirety, and the English department, as prolific readers ourselves, are passionate advocates of this. All lessons begin with teacher-led guided reading, to build fluency, accuracy and comprehension. The department has a substantial stock of age-appropriate fiction which can be borrowed on an honesty basis, and Accelerated Reader software encourages students to read more by a number of different success criteria, so that all pupils achieve.

In Food and Nutrition we aim to  instil a love of cooking that will open the door to one of the  great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill and our pupils become competent in a range of cooking techniques so that they are able to feed themselves and others a healthy affordable diet, now and in later life. We will encourage pupils to demonstrate effective and safe high-level cooking skills by preparing and cooking a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes using a variety of cooking techniques and equipment.

However at Queen’s College it is so much more than cooking, Food and Nutrition is about pupils becoming fully engaged in where their food comes from, not just fostering a love of food but also developing a love of where their food comes from, the food local sourcing, food provenance and food sustainability of growing, rearing, catching, and foraging for food. Key to this is pupils growing their own food in our pupil’s Kitchen Garden and in the school polytunnel, to picking apples and pears from the school orchard space and even foraging for wild garlic and wild fruits which we grow across the school site. 

Food and Nutrition is delivered by our dedicated multi-award-winning food specialist staff in our specialist food facilities. The department operates from our well-equipped food preparation Teaching Kitchens including a fantastic new flagship state-of-the-art Teaching Kitchen and our very own licensed pupil’s led Teaching Restaurant where pupils learn to prepare, cook and serve food to school guests and our wider school community.

Geography helps pupils explain the past, illuminate the present and prepare them for the future.

Our aim is to foster pupils’ sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the world around them and help them to appreciate that they have a responsibility for the sustainable management of the Earth and its people. Geography is about understanding the world in which we live and we believe that it plays an absolutely essential part in the development of young citizens in the modern world.

At Queen’s College, the Geography Department is made up of experienced, passionate and dedicated Subject Specialists. We aim to deliver a modern, broad and thought-provoking curriculum at Key Stage 3.

Through the study of Geography, pupils will learn to use a variety of important transferable skills.  Pupils will learn how to collect meaningful data and how to present it in an accurate and appropriate manner. They will make extensive use of maps at all scales and also use digital mapping software (GIS) to explore the world. Pupils will be encouraged to participate in debate and discussion, to formulate their own views, and to show tolerance and understanding of the views of others. In addition to classroom-based work, pupils will also be given the opportunity to take part in fieldwork both locally and further afield.  In Year 7 pupils will go to the Quantock Hills as their first introduction to fieldwork. In Year 8 pupils visit the Eden project as part of their Global Biomes topic. In Year 9 we visit Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast as part of our Coasts topic. Our approach to teaching the subject of Geography is to build a body of knowledge through a variety of learning experiences. Above all, we intend that Geography should be fun!

Historical studies are fundamental to every child as we all experience a local and national history that draws us together in shared stories. Our History curriculum at Queen’s strives to inspire curiosity in our pupils whilst developing a broad knowledge base and developing the key historical skills. Our intent is to deliver a curriculum that is accessible to all and that will enable children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. 

Our curriculum has been designed to flow logically and chronologically. At Key Stage 3 we begin by looking at the Protestant Reformation which built into the Tudor Monarchs. In Year 8 students look at the Stuarts and the English Civil War, and Year 9 examine the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution along with the causes and events of World War One.  Students are introduced to key historical vocabulary and skills such as change and chronology, cause and consequence, evidence and reliability, interpretation and significance.  A central aim of our enquiry based learning approach is the development of the fundamental skills of research, analysis, evaluation, communication and reflection. Students are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, shift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.  

Our core aim is to ensure that students are inspired and enthused by the study of History so that a genuine thirst for knowledge is created and grows.

Studying languages at KS3 opens up a world of opportunities for young learners! Not only does it enhance communication skills, but it also fosters cultural awareness and empathy. Through engaging activities, pupils explore diverse cultures, develop critical thinking, and boost their confidence. Language learning can also improve overall academic performance, as it enhances cognitive abilities and creativity. With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, mastering a new language is not just an asset – it’s a vital skill for the future!

In Year 7, pupils select two languages from French, Spanish, and German, laying a strong foundation for their language skills. As they move into Years 8 and 9, they specialise in their chosen language, allowing for deeper exploration and focused practice. Pupils explore topics such as family, leisure activities, healthy living, holidays, school subjects, and careers, all of which are key areas covered at GCSE. This provides a solid base for future learning. Additionally, grammar is introduced progressively, so that by the time pupils reach GCSE, they will already have encountered key elements, such as the verb tenses, in a simpler form during KS3.

Our language learning facilities are designed to inspire and engage pupils. Each bright, colourful classroom creates a vibrant atmosphere that stimulates curiosity. We utilise modern online textbooks, providing interactive resources that enhance the learning experience and make language acquisition more accessible. Lessons are delivered by passionate subject specialists who bring first hand experiences from living and working abroad, enriching the curriculum with authentic insights and cultural context. 

In addition to our comprehensive language curriculum, we offer a range of exciting opportunities to enrich pupils’ learning experiences. Events like the European Day of Languages competition and the GCHQ National Language Competition encourage pupils to showcase their skills and creativity, while the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators invites them to explore the art of creative translation. Furthermore, we organise regular residential trips overseas, providing immersive or cultural experiences that allow pupils to put their language learning into real-life contexts. These opportunities not only enhance linguistic proficiency but also deepen cultural understanding and inspire a lifelong passion for languages.

Maths is all around us. It helps us measure things, like how far away a star is or how much food we need for a party. It is essentially the language of the universe. Every equation and formula is a tool, enabling us to solve real-world problems and push the boundaries of what we understand. It helps us understand patterns, like the way planets move or how a virus spreads. When we use maths, we are simply using a tool to solve puzzles and make sense of the world around us.

At Queen’s College we strive for understanding. We want our pupils to love and appreciate the mathematics they learn to become confident when using these tools to solve problems. All our teachers have a career background and passion for the subject enabling us to enthuse our pupils towards success. We have dedicated maths classrooms and make use of the latest technology and resources to bring the topic to life for the pupils.

Our curriculum at key stage 3 aims to ensure that all pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, are able to reason mathematically and can solve problems through applying their mathematics to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Maths is an interconnected subject and our curriculum builds on pupils learning from key stage 2 making these connections throughout to enable the required fluency, reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills required for life. We like to extend our pupils beyond the curriculum through competing nationally in UKMT Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenges and Team Competitions, running an extension maths club focusing on problem solving and through attending maths events. These allow pupils to experience maths in a different light and extend and enhance their skills.

At Queen’s College, our sports program fosters a healthy lifestyle through weekly Games sessions focusing on specific sports. These sessions delve deep into techniques and strategies. Our fixture program offers tiers for High Performance, Development, and Participation, ensuring all students can represent the college. Squad sessions twice weekly enhance team dynamics and skills. Our sports program emphasises character development, teamwork, and resilience. It fosters skill development, fixture success, team bonding, and life preparation. At Queen’s College, we shape well-rounded individuals for success on and off the field.

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“The unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates

REP lessons at Queen’s have inquiry at their core and are focused around key ideas within the scheme of learning. Throughout Years 7–9, pupils will be taken through an engaging and rigorous programme of study that will empower them with understanding, critical thinking skills & big picture thinking; to ensure they flourish in an increasingly diverse and challenging society. 

All pupils have lessons dedicated to Religion, Ethics & Philosophy, covering a broad range, from philosophical problems such as ‘am I a brain in a vat?’ to the ethics of capital punishment and the historical & modern day significance of the Abrahamic belief systems. REP at Queen’s gives pupils the opportunity to explore some of the most important, influential ideas that have shaped, and continue to shape, our modern world. Lessons are delivered by passionate and experienced specialists and are designed to promote critical thinking and deepen both substantive & disciplinary methods of learning. Our aim is to include, challenge and excite all learners across key stage 3.

Science is a quest to uncover the true nature of reality from how plants produce all our food to how atoms can be arranged in new materials and how the universe was formed. It’s a journey of exploration, guided by the scientific method, where we ask questions, gather evidence, and test our hypotheses. Through this process, humans have solved many problems including the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine, creating the artificial compounds required to feed our growing population, and the technology that made the industrial, electrical, and information revolutions possible and we have only just started the journey.

All science lessons are taught in one of our suite of dedicated well-equipped laboratories where our pupils can conduct exciting experiments and investigations. Imagine exploring the wonders of biology under high-powered microscopes, analysing chemical reactions in our state-of-the-art chemistry lab, or delving into the mysteries of physics using cutting-edge technology. Our biggest asset is our amazing team of science teachers all of who have relevant science or engineering degrees and many of who have worked in industry. With a wealth of experience and expertise, they create engaging lessons, provide personalised support, and encourage curiosity and an enquiring mind.

Our KS3 science curriculum is designed to help our pupils develop a range of valuable skills:

• Critical thinking: analyse information, evaluate evidence, and form reasoned arguments.
• Problem-solving: identifying problems, designing experiments, and finding solutions.
• Communication: explain findings confidently and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Collaboration: working on group projects and practical, learning to cooperate and share ideas.
• Practical skills: hands-on experience with scientific equipment and techniques.

At Queen’s, our KS3 science journey is designed to ignite our pupils’ passion for discovery. In year 7, our pupils embark on a fascinating exploration of the natural world with their dedicated science teacher. Our curriculum seamlessly blends hands-on experiments and theoretical knowledge, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of scientific concepts across biology, chemistry, and physics.

As our pupils progress to year 8, they delve deeper into these disciplines with specialised biology, chemistry, and physics teachers. This dedicated approach allows for personalised attention to, and a more in-depth study, of each subject.

To give our pupils the best possible preparation for GCSE success, we begin the course in year 9. This early start provides ample time to cover all the essential topics and practise the crucial exam skills needed to excel without compromising on the time spent developing practical skills. With our expert guidance and supportive learning environment, our pupils will be well-equipped to unlock their full potential in science.