Year 9

Overview

Year 9 English is the culmination of KS3 and the bridge to GCSE - consolidating and extending reading, writing and analytical skills through Noughts and Crosses, a full Shakespeare play, and unseen poetry by Duffy and Armitage. Persuasive writing and evaluation skills directly mirror GCSE English Language and Literature demands.

Topics this year

1.  Noughts and Crosses

Dominic Cooke's adaptation - racism, injustice and inequality. Final essay: how Callum is presented as a victim.

2.  Diverse shorts

Persuasive writing through real-world issues - speech writing, debate, ethos, pathos, logos. GCSE Language Paper 2 preparation.

3.  Shakespeare - Much Ado or Romeo & Juliet

A full play in depth - love, gender, honour, conflict. Analytical essays on character and theme.

4.  Poetry unlocked - Voices of power and protest

Unseen poetry by Duffy and Armitage - annotation, comparison, structured analysis for GCSE Literature.

5.  Language paper 2

Comparing viewpoints, persuasive writing, tone, purpose and audience - GCSE English Language Paper 2 practice.

6.  Evaluation (Paper 1, Q4)

Judging how effectively a writer creates mood, character or atmosphere - evaluative language and critical thinking.

Why study this?

Year 9 English inspires critical thinking about the world, confident expression and empathy for complex social issues - building foundations for GCSE and careers in journalism, law, education and media.

Key vocabulary

Marginalisation  ·  Resistance  ·  Systemic  ·  Radicalisation  ·  Segregation  ·  Narrative Arc  ·  Binary Opposition  ·  Ethos  ·  Pathos  ·  Logos  ·  Dramatic Irony  ·  Anagnorisis  ·  Masculinity  ·  Femininity  ·  Gender roles  ·  Polemic  ·  Counter Argument  ·  Modality  ·  Cohesion  ·  Judicious  ·  Interpretation  ·  Nuance  ·  Evaluate  ·  Ambivalence

Assessment

Six assessed units - character analysis essay (Noughts and Crosses), persuasive speech, Shakespeare benchmark essay, poetry comparison, Paper 2-style extended writing, evaluative response.

Enrichment

Creative writing club  ·  Debate team  ·  School production  ·  Reading challenges

Overview

English Plus in Year 9 focuses entirely on Crafting Brilliant Sentences - developing understanding of syntax and how to manipulate sentence construction to engage and influence the reader. This directly supports GCSE English Language writing demands.

Topics this year

1.  Crafting brilliant sentences (All Year)

Syntax, main and subordinate clauses, active/passive voice, conjunctive adverbials, personification, anaphora, narrative hooks - applied each week.

Why study this?

The ability to craft varied, well-constructed sentences is one of the most transferable skills students can develop - central to everything they write at GCSE and beyond.

Key vocabulary

analyse  ·  anaphora  ·  positioning  ·  emote  ·  personification  ·  conjunctive adverbials  ·  modality  ·  main clause  ·  simple sentence  ·  narrative hook  ·  imperative  ·  active voice  ·  passive voice  ·  journalistic tone  ·  compound sentence  ·  co-ordinating conjunctions  ·  subordinate clause

Assessment

Students apply a key grammatical feature in their own writing each lesson. Star Reader assessments benchmark reading progress.

Overview

Year 9 Maths completes KS3 and begins overlapping with GCSE content - deepening percentages into growth and decay, extending algebra into sequences and graphs, introducing Pythagoras' Theorem and sectors, and developing statistical analysis.

Topics this year

1.  Number 4 - Estimation and percentages

Growth and decay, exponential change, rounding, significant figures, bounds and multipliers.

2.  Geometry 4 - Properties of shapes

Sectors, area/perimeter of complex shapes, and Pythagoras' Theorem for right-angled triangles.

3.  Algebra 3 – Manipulation and sequences

Nth term of linear sequences, Fibonacci and other number sequences, formula manipulation.

4.  Algebra 4 – Graphs

Equation of a straight line, parallel and perpendicular lines, and plotting quadratic graphs.

5.  Statistics 3 – Interpreting data

Averages from tables and diagrams, scatter graphs and predictions, correlation and outliers.

Why study this?

Year 9 Maths equips students with reasoning, fluency and problem-solving skills forming the bedrock of GCSE Mathematics. Students enter the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge and access Maths Hub enrichment events.

Key vocabulary

estimate  ·  significant figures  ·  multiplier  ·  growth  ·  decay  ·  exponential  ·  bounds  ·  hypotenuse  ·  sector  ·  segment  ·  symmetry  ·  expression  ·  formula  ·  sequence  ·  Fibonacci  ·  gradient  ·  intercept  ·  parallel  ·  perpendicular  ·  quadratic  ·  cubic  ·  correlation  ·  outlier

Assessment

End of unit tests. Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. Maths Hub enrichment events.

Enrichment

Intermediate Mathematical Challenge  ·  Maths Hub events

Overview

Year 9 Biology moves firmly into GCSE territory - covering cell structure and division, transport in cells, the circulatory system, disease and plant organs. Assessments use past paper exam questions.

Topics this year

1.  Cell structure

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, organelles, microscopy - building on Year 7 with GCSE precision.

2.  Cell division

Mitosis, the cell cycle, stem cells, differentiation, therapeutic cloning and asexual reproduction.

3.  Transport in cells

Diffusion, osmosis and active transport - how substances move in and out of cells.

4.  The circulatory system

The heart, blood vessels, pulmonary and systemic circulation, and responses to exercise and disease.

5.  Disease

Communicable and non-communicable diseases, lifestyle risk factors, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

6.  Plants

Root, stem, leaf - xylem, phloem, transpiration, translocation and photosynthesis.

Why study this?

Year 9 Biology gives students the knowledge, skills and scientific confidence to succeed at GCSE, connecting to medicine, nursing, biomedical science, agriculture and environmental science.

Key vocabulary

eukaryotic  ·  prokaryotic  ·  cytoplasm  ·  nucleus  ·  mitochondria  ·  ribosomes  ·  cell wall  ·  chloroplast  ·  microscopy  ·  mitosis  ·  chromosome  ·  DNA  ·  cell cycle  ·  stem cell  ·  differentiation  ·  therapeutic cloning  ·  diffusion  ·  osmosis  ·  active transport  ·  concentration gradient  ·  partially permeable membrane  ·  artery  ·  vein  ·  capillary  ·  atrium  ·  ventricle  ·  pulmonary circulation  ·  non-communicable disease  ·  cardiovascular disease  ·  tumour  ·  malignant  ·  risk factor  ·  xylem  ·  phloem  ·  transpiration

Assessment

"Feedback that Moves Forward" tasks using past paper exam questions. Summative 45-minute papers in Autumn 2 and Summer 2.

Enrichment

KS3 Science Club

Overview

Year 9 Chemistry moves squarely into GCSE territory - covering atomic structure, the Periodic Table in depth, all three types of chemical bonding, reactivity series, quantitative chemistry and the structure of carbon. Assessments use past paper questions.

Topics this year

1.  The atom

Protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, electronic structure.

2.  Periodic Table

Mendeleev's discovery, groups and periods, transition elements, trends in reactivity and properties.

3.  Types of bonding

Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding - why substances have different melting points, conductivity and strength.

4.  Groups of the Periodic Table

Group 1 (alkali metals), Group 7 (halogens) and Group 0 (noble gases) - patterns and displacement reactions.

5.  Quantitative Chemistry

Relative atomic and formula mass, moles, concentrations, limiting reactants and yields.

6.  States of matter and properties of bonding

Particle theory revisited, bonding types and their physical properties.

7.  Reactivity of metals

The reactivity series, displacement reactions, extraction of metals, oxidation and reduction.

8.  Structure and bonding of Carbon

Diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerenes - how one element forms such different materials.

Why study this?

Year 9 Chemistry directly prepares students for GCSE success, connecting to real-world careers in medicine, pharmaceuticals, engineering, materials science and environmental research.

Key vocabulary

proton  ·  neutron  ·  electron  ·  atomic number  ·  mass number  ·  isotope  ·  electronic structure  ·  Mendeleev  ·  transition elements  ·  alkali metals  ·  halogens  ·  noble gases  ·  ionic bonding  ·  covalent bonding  ·  metallic bonding  ·  intermolecular forces  ·  polymers  ·  giant lattice  ·  alloys  ·  delocalised electrons  ·  moles  ·  relative atomic mass  ·  limiting reactants  ·  concentration  ·  ores  ·  oxidised  ·  reduced  ·  giant covalent structure  ·  graphite  ·  fullerenes  ·  graphene

Assessment

"Feedback that Moves Forward" tasks using past paper exam questions. Summative 45-minute papers in Autumn 2 and Summer 2.

Enrichment

KS3 Science Club

Overview

Year 9 Physics covers seven GCSE-aligned topics - energy stores and changes, electrical circuits, the particle model, national energy resources, domestic electricity, atomic structure and energy transfers. Assessments use past paper questions.

Topics this year

1.  Energy - Stores and changes in systems

Identifying energy stores, describing energy changes, work done and kinetic/gravitational potential energy.

2.  Electricity - Components, current, PD, series and parallel

Circuit components, current and potential difference in series/parallel circuits, V = IR.

3.  Particle Model - Density, states of matter and gas motion

Calculating density, changes of state, how gas particles move and exert pressure.

4.  Energy – National and global resources

Fossil fuels, nuclear, wind, solar and other renewables - advantages, disadvantages and environmental impact.

5.  Electricity - Domestic uses, safety and National Grid

AC and DC current, plugs, the National Grid, transformers and efficient electricity transmission.

6.  Atomic structure – Atoms and isotopes

Protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number, isotopes and the development of the atomic model.

7.  Energy - Transfers in a system

Mechanical work, heating, kinetic and gravitational potential energy equations.

Why study this?

Year 9 Physics builds the mathematical reasoning, practical skills and conceptual understanding underpinning GCSE and A Level Physics, connecting to engineering, renewable energy, medicine and nuclear science.

Key vocabulary

system  ·  joule  ·  kinetic  ·  gravitational potential  ·  elastic potential  ·  conservation  ·  work done  ·  current  ·  potential difference  ·  resistance  ·  series  ·  parallel  ·  density  ·  melting  ·  boiling  ·  condensing  ·  sublimation  ·  renewable  ·  non-renewable  ·  national grid  ·  transformer  ·  direct current  ·  alternating current  ·  atom  ·  isotope  ·  nucleus  ·  alpha scattering  ·  plum pudding

Assessment

"Feedback that Moves Forward" tasks using past paper exam questions. Summative 45-minute papers in Autumn 2 and Summer 2.

Enrichment

KS3 Science Club  ·  British Physics Olympiad (high-attaining students)

Overview

French in Year 9 moves into richer cultural territory - books, films and TV, role models, the French film Les Choristes, customs and celebrations, and school life - using a wide range of tenses confidently and independently. Directly prepares for GCSE French.

Topics this year

1.  Books, films and TV

Film and book genres, storylines - present, past, future and conditional tenses. Subordinate clauses and CROWN IT criteria.

2.  My role model

Describing inspiring people, their achievements (perfect tense), how they inspire the future (conditional/future tenses).

3.  Les Choristes (French Film)

Film project - personal description, film review in perfect tense, key 3rd person imperfect verb forms, listening skills.

4.  Customs and celebrations

Festivals in French-speaking countries, comparing with UK - varied tenses and advanced structures.

5.  School life

Timetables, daily routines, reflexive verbs, opinions on subjects, uniform, school rules, school canteen.

Why study this?

Year 9 French develops the independence, cultural awareness and tense range GCSE demands. Students engage with real French-language film and explore francophone culture.

Key vocabulary

genre  ·  subordinate clause  ·  main clause  ·  criteria  ·  tense  ·  agreement  ·  pure future tense  ·  conditional tense  ·  stem  ·  regular and irregular  ·  ending  ·  recount  ·  summarise  ·  imperfect tense  ·  subtitle  ·  custom  ·  francophone  ·  connectives  ·  adverbs  ·  reflexive verbs  ·  reflexive pronoun  ·  modal verbs  ·  impersonal verbs

Assessment

Ongoing in-class assessments across all four skills. Regular vocabulary tests. End of topic assessments for each unit.

Enrichment

Year 9 Film Club  ·  Les Choristes film study project

Overview

German in Year 9 mirrors French in ambition and cultural richness - books, films and TV, role models, the German film Balloon (set in the Cold War), customs and celebrations, and school life.

Topics this year

1.  Books, films and TV

Film and book genres, storylines - past, present, future and conditional tenses. CROWN IT criteria applied.

2.  My role models

Describing inspirational people, past achievements (perfect tense), future inspiration.

3.  Balloon (German Film)

Film project - life in former East Germany, historical context, listening skills, film review poster.

4.  Customs and celebrations

Festivals in German-speaking countries, comparing with UK - varied tenses, um...zu clauses and CROWN IT structures.

5.  School life

Timetable, subjects, school building and uniform - modal verbs, adjectival agreement, subordinate clauses.

Why study this?

Year 9 German prepares students directly for GCSE, developing tense knowledge, grammatical range and cultural insight. The Balloon film project brings historical context to life.

Key vocabulary

independent  ·  genre  ·  past participle  ·  auxiliary verb  ·  conditional tense  ·  wenn clause  ·  inspirational  ·  reunification  ·  comprehension  ·  cognate  ·  Stasi  ·  embassy  ·  subordinate clause  ·  connective  ·  conjunction  ·  modal verb  ·  present tense  ·  imperfect tense

Assessment

Ongoing in-class assessments across all four skills. Regular vocabulary tests. End of topic assessments including speaking, writing and a film review poster.

Enrichment

Year 9 Film Club  ·  Balloon film study project

Year 9 History is ambitious and wide-ranging - from Victorian Whitechapel to the Holocaust to the rise of Nazi Germany. The final unit is a GCSE unit: Life under Nazi Rule 1933–1945. Students leave Year 9 fully prepared for GCSE History.

Topics this year

1.  Why was Jack the Ripper never caught?

Victorian Whitechapel, the Metropolitan Police, profiling and investigation - crime and punishment context.

2.  Have women's actions helped them gain political power?

Women's struggle for equality across the world - suffrage, feminism and case studies from different countries.

3.  How did ideology change the World?

The growth of fascism and communism, Germany 1919-1933, the rise of Hitler - source evaluation.

4.  How did World War Two impact people's lives?

Causes of WW2, the League of Nations, impact on ordinary people - evacuation, Blitz, rationing. Comparing interpretations.

5.  Why did the Holocaust happen?

Historical antisemitism, the origins and escalation of Nazi persecution, the final solution and genocide.

6.  How did Hitler and the Nazis control Germany? (GCSE Unit)

Hitler's consolidation of power, terror, propaganda, Gleichschaltung, the Gestapo, denunciation and opposition.

Why study this?

Year 9 History tackles some of the most important and challenging topics of the modern world - women's rights, totalitarianism, genocide and the power of propaganda.

Key vocabulary

policing  ·  prostitution  ·  autopsy  ·  profiling  ·  protest  ·  campaign  ·  suffrage  ·  feminism  ·  communism  ·  fascism  ·  depression  ·  unemployment  ·  dictatorship  ·  appeasement  ·  blitz  ·  evacuation  ·  rationing  ·  anti-semitism  ·  pogrom  ·  ghettos  ·  einsatzgruppen  ·  genocide  ·  propaganda  ·  Gestapo  ·  Gleichschaltung  ·  denunciation  ·  censorship

Assessment

Extended writing tasks for each unit - causation essays, source evaluation, comparative interpretations, priority judgements on the Holocaust and source-based analysis of Nazi control.

Enrichment

Possible trip to Poland (Holocaust Memorial)  ·  Bovington Tank Museum  ·  London Dungeons

Overview

Geography in Year 9 focuses on how tourism shapes economies and environments, the complex global challenges the world faces, and the distribution and management of biomes and ecosystems - preparing for GCSE fieldwork and analysis.

Topics this year

1.  How does tourism impact our world?

Tourism trends, the economic multiplier effect, sustainable/eco-tourism, OS map skills, national parks.

2.  What challenges does the World face today?

Disease (malaria, cholera, pandemics), plastics, pollution, access to food/water, development gap, SDGs.

3.  Biomes, ecosystems and management

Global biomes, biodiversity, producers/consumers/decomposers, nutrient cycles, deforestation, conservation.

Why study this?

Year 9 Geography equips students to engage with real planetary issues as informed, empathetic and analytical global citizens.

Key vocabulary

tourism  ·  tourist destination  ·  economic multiplier effect  ·  sustainable tourism  ·  ecotourism  ·  development gap  ·  national parks  ·  sustainable development goals  ·  disease  ·  parasite  ·  malaria  ·  cholera  ·  pandemic  ·  plastics  ·  pollution  ·  access to food  ·  access to water  ·  biome  ·  ecosystem  ·  biodiversity  ·  producer  ·  consumer  ·  decomposer  ·  nutrient cycle  ·  adaptation  ·  deforestation  ·  conservation

Assessment

Two knowledge tests per topic. 12-mark feedback task and end of topic assessment for each unit.

Enrichment

Career links: biologist, environmental manager, climate scientist, sustainability consultant

Overview

RS in Year 9 moves into applied ethics - absolute and relative morality, abortion and euthanasia, environmental ethics, human rights, the Holocaust, and crime and punishment. Students develop GCSE-style essay writing skills throughout.

Topics this year

1.  Introduction to ethics

Absolute and relative morality, sources of moral authority - frameworks for approaching ethical issues.

2.  Abortion and euthanasia

Applying absolutist and relativist approaches. Religious and non-religious responses. Evaluative essays.

3.  Environmental ethics and animal rights

Stewardship, dominion, conservation, global warming, animal experimentation, vivisection, vegetarianism and ahimsa.

4.  Human rights and social justice

Prejudice, discrimination, positive discrimination, freedom of religion, wealth and poverty, exploitation and charity.

5.  The Holocaust

The problem of evil, theodicy, antisemitism, the pyramid of hate, the final solution and genocide.

6.  Crime and punishment

Aims of punishment - retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, reformation, vindication, reparation. Corporal and capital punishment.

Why study this?

Year 9 RS introduces ethical issues explored further at GCSE Philosophy and Ethics - developing critical thinking, empathy and moral reasoning needed for an increasingly complex world.

Key vocabulary

absolute  ·  relative  ·  ethics  ·  morality  ·  authority  ·  conscience  ·  scripture  ·  sanctity of life  ·  quality of life  ·  abortion  ·  euthanasia  ·  voluntary euthanasia  ·  assisted dying  ·  stewardship  ·  dominion  ·  conservation  ·  pollution  ·  animal experimentation  ·  ahimsa  ·  human rights  ·  prejudice  ·  discrimination  ·  positive discrimination  ·  wealth  ·  poverty  ·  problem of evil  ·  theodicy  ·  holocaust  ·  genocide  ·  antisemitism  ·  crime  ·  punishment  ·  corporal punishment  ·  capital punishment  ·  retribution  ·  deterrence  ·  rehabilitation  ·  reformation

Assessment

End of unit essays for each topic - evaluative responses in GCSE format with justified conclusions.

Overview

PSHE in Year 9 focuses on the influences shaping choices and self-care habits, the diversity of family structures, and healthy relationships including consent, sexual health and personal responsibility.

Topics this year

1.  My influences and self care

Recognising influences on choices and behaviour, developing healthy routines, self-care for physical and mental wellbeing.

2.  My family and others

Different family structures, adoption, separation, homelessness, rights, independence — fostering empathy and respect.

3.  Healthy relationships and consent

What respectful, healthy relationships look like. Consent, sexual health, contraception, risk, consequences and responsibility.

Why study this?

By the end of Year 9, students will understand what healthy relationships look like, how to keep themselves and others safe, and how to recognise and respond to unhealthy influences.

Key vocabulary

balance  ·  lifestyle  ·  influence  ·  wellbeing  ·  physical health  ·  mental health  ·  sleep  ·  behaviour  ·  body image  ·  choices  ·  families  ·  adoption  ·  separation  ·  rights  ·  independence  ·  homelessness  ·  consent  ·  sexual health  ·  contraception  ·  risk  ·  consequences  ·  safety  ·  responsibility  ·  crime

Assessment

Formative discussion and reflection tasks throughout each topic.

Overview

PE in Year 9 builds on Years 7 and 8, demanding greater consistency, control and tactical sophistication. Students take more responsibility for their own learning, setting personal goals and evaluating performance with increasing independence.

Topics this year

1.  Team sports

Badminton, Netball, Tag Rugby, Basketball, Football, Volleyball - advanced tactics and leadership

2.  Individual and fitness activities

Tennis, Athletics, Table Tennis, Creative Movement, Dance, Gymnastics - technical refinement and independent evaluation

3.  Aquatics

Swimming - front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, flip turns and stroke efficiency

4.  Summer sport

Rounders and Cricket - batting, bowling, fielding and game tactics with greater independence

5.  Outdoor adventurous activities (OAA)

Navigation, compass, orienteering, expedition skills, teamwork, risk assessment - links to DofE Bronze

Why study this?

Year 9 PE develops the physical literacy, leadership and competitive spirit that support a lifetime of active, healthy living - with explicit links to careers in sport, fitness, health and wellbeing.

Key vocabulary

smash  ·  drop shot  ·  clear  ·  drive  ·  net shot  ·  rally  ·  centre pass  ·  obstruction  ·  screening  ·  offload  ·  pick and roll  ·  zone defence  ·  fast break  ·  front crawl  ·  backstroke  ·  breaststroke  ·  butterfly  ·  flip turn  ·  streamline  ·  choreography  ·  spatial awareness  ·  handstand  ·  cartwheel  ·  sprint  ·  relay  ·  stride  ·  LBW  ·  compass  ·  orienteering  ·  risk assessment

Assessment

Ongoing assessment through modelling, peer assessment and self-assessment.

Enrichment

School sports teams  ·  Athletics competitions  ·  Local and regional competitions  ·  Links to DofE Bronze  ·  Career links: sports coaching, physiotherapy, sports science, PE teaching

Overview

Computing in Year 9 moves substantially into GCSE Computer Science content - hardware components, binary and hexadecimal, the CPU and memory, Python programming, logic gates, basic networks, podcast production and video creation.

Topics this year

1.  Hardware and software

Input, output and storage devices, internal hardware components (CPU, RAM, motherboard, hard drive, heat sink).

2.  Data Representation - Advanced Maths and images

Binary to hexadecimal conversion, binary addition with overflow, binary images, colour depth, resolution, metadata and file size.

3.  Podcast creation

Research, scripting, recording and audio editing - creating a professional podcast.

4.  Python programming

Sequence, selection and iteration in Python. Variables, sub-routines, parameter passing and error handling.

5.  Logic gates

AND, OR and NOT gates, truth tables, Boolean expressions and logic gate circuits.

6.  Basic networks

LAN vs WAN, network topologies, routers, switches, hubs, Ethernet, wireless - designing a network.

7.  The CPU and memory

CPU components, RAM, ROM, registers, cache, clock speed, cores, the fetch-decode-execute cycle and assembly language in LMC.

Why study this?

Year 9 Computing prepares students for GCSE Computer Science and beyond - developing technical knowledge, computational thinking, programming skill and creative confidence.

Key vocabulary

input devices  ·  output devices  ·  storage  ·  peripherals  ·  operating system  ·  utility software  ·  binary  ·  denary  ·  hexadecimal  ·  place values  ·  units of memory  ·  addition  ·  overflow  ·  bit pattern  ·  colour depth  ·  metadata  ·  file size  ·  sequence  ·  selection  ·  iteration  ·  variables  ·  assignment  ·  string  ·  integer  ·  float  ·  syntax error  ·  logic error  ·  AND gate  ·  OR gate  ·  NOT gate  ·  Boolean expressions  ·  LAN  ·  WAN  ·  router  ·  switch  ·  hub  ·  topology  ·  CPU  ·  RAM  ·  ROM  ·  registers  ·  cache  ·  clock speed  ·  mnemonics  ·  assembly language

Assessment

End of unit exams mirroring GCSE exam questions. Final game, podcast and video projects judged against design-implementation-evaluation rubrics.

Enrichment

Pathway to GCSE Computer Science

Overview

Art in Year 9 takes students into substantial extended project work - exploring drawing in depth through "Drawing Beneath the Surface" and responding to environmental themes through "Save Our Seas". Students develop research, experimentation and ambitious personal outcomes.

Topics this year

1.  Drawing beneath the surface

Exploring drawing as a discipline in depth - techniques, observational skills, experimental approaches and a personal response.

2.  Save Our seas

Responding to environmental themes through art - research, materials exploration, artist study and an ambitious final outcome.

Why study this?

Year 9 Art builds the independent creative thinking, visual analysis and practical confidence preparing students for GCSE Art and Design and creative industries.

Key vocabulary

observational drawing  ·  tone  ·  texture  ·  composition  ·  mixed media  ·  collage  ·  printmaking  ·  abstraction  ·  artist influence  ·  evaluation  ·  AO1  ·  AO2  ·  AO3  ·  AO4

Assessment

Ongoing verbal and written feedback. Final outcomes assessed against GCSE-style AO1–AO4 criteria.

Enrichment

After-school art workshops  ·  Links to GCSE Art and Design

Overview

DT in Year 9 centres on an extended Harry Potter design project - researching artists, designers and architects, exploring set and prop design from the film/TV industry, and working with polymer clay, cardboard, balsa wood, foam, epoxy and UV resin. Students may visit Harry Potter Studios.

Topics this year

1.  Visual rand exploration (Autumn 1)

Harry Potter as context — researching artists/designers/architects, creating sketchbook documentation.

2.  Practitioner and process (Autumn 2)

Selecting and researching 3 practitioners, creating replicas, exploring film/TV industry methods. Introduction to polymer clay.

3.  3D construction (Spring)

Working with cardboard, balsa wood, foam, epoxy and UV resin - building physical models.

4.  Final design development and mock set realisation (Summer)

Final set design for theatre, film or TV - combining all skills to create an ambitious mock set.

Why study this?

Year 9 DT develops creative problem-solving, material knowledge and technical craftsmanship underpinning GCSE Design Technology. The Harry Potter project is ambitious and connected to real professional design processes.

Key vocabulary

visual research  ·  sketchbook  ·  practitioner  ·  replica  ·  polymer clay  ·  epoxy resin  ·  UV resin  ·  balsa wood  ·  3D construction  ·  set design  ·  prop design  ·  AO1  ·  AO2  ·  AO3  ·  AO4

Assessment

Ongoing verbal and written feedback. Final assessment against GCSE-style AO1–AO4 criteria.

Enrichment

Harry Potter Studios visit  ·  Links to GCSE Design Technology

Overview

Drama in Year 9 works with three ambitious plays - Teechers (non-naturalistic political comedy), devising work around the real case of Derek Bentley, and a comprehensive study of Missing Dan Nolan from actor, director and designer perspectives.

Topics this year

1.  Teechers

John Godber's non-naturalistic political comedy - multi-roleplay, direct address, episodic structure, Brechtian techniques, Verfremdungseffekt.

2.  Let Him Have It

Devising work exploring the case of Derek Bentley - GCSE-standard devising skills.

3.  Missing Dan Nolan

A comprehensive study from actor, director and designer perspectives - communicating meaning on stage.

Why study this?

Year 9 Drama is the culmination of three years of building performance, devising and technical skills - students leave ready for GCSE Drama with the confidence, vocabulary and craft to succeed.

Key vocabulary

multi-roleplay  ·  direct address  ·  episodic structure  ·  Verfremdungseffekt  ·  stereotype  ·  colloquial language  ·  physical theatre  ·  blocking  ·  characterisation  ·  non-naturalistic  ·  Brechtian  ·  proxemics  ·  stimulus  ·  devising

Assessment

Assessed every lesson across Making, Performing and Responding. Vocabulary recall tests. Final assessed performances for each unit.

Enrichment

Annual school production  ·  Theatre trips  ·  Links to GCSE Drama and A Level Theatre Studies

Overview

Music in Year 9 deepens and extends Year 8 styles across four areas - reggae (Buffalo Soldier), EDM and minimalism fused, film music composition (leitmotifs), and pop music structures - working with Bob Marley, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Steve Reich, John Williams and Toto.

Topics this year

1.  Reggae

Buffalo Soldier - syncopated bassline, syncopated chords, ska and rocksteady background, original reggae tracks.

2.  EDM vs Minimalism

BPM, four-to-the-floor drum rhythms, loops, phase shifting and minimalist devices (retrograde, inversion, retrograde inversion).

3.  Film music

Composing leitmotifs for characters, building them into a longer piece - John Williams, Danny Elfman, Bernard Herrmann.

4.  Pop music

Call and response, guitar riffs, chordal riffs - composing a pop backing track in a typical song structure.

Why study this?

Year 9 Music develops performance, composition and understanding to a level directly preparing students for GCSE Music, connecting learning to a wide world of musical traditions.

Key vocabulary

reggae  ·  calypso  ·  ska  ·  rocksteady  ·  syncopation  ·  bassline  ·  texture  ·  structure  ·  riff  ·  sonority  ·  four to the floor  ·  synthesizers  ·  chord  ·  layering  ·  phase shifting  ·  inversion  ·  retrograde  ·  leitmotif  ·  dynamics  ·  chromatic  ·  diegetic  ·  non-diegetic  ·  call and response  ·  fusion  ·  verse  ·  chorus  ·  intro  ·  outro

Assessment

Listening exercises. Performance assessments for each style. Composition assessments - EDM piece, leitmotifs, pop backing track.

Enrichment

School Orchestra (Autumn)  ·  School Choir (Spring & Summer)  ·  New Milton Music Festival  ·  Termly music concerts  ·  Annual school production  ·  Links to GCSE Music

Overview

Food and Nutrition in Year 9 is a comprehensive programme covering food provenance, food choices across cultures, specific ingredients in depth, packaging, healthy diets for different age groups, and GCSE-standard high skills - including a farm trip, butchery workshop and national competition.

Topics this year

1.  Crops and farming (Autumn 1)

Where food comes from, seasonality, additives, carbon footprint - local farm trip and butchery workshop.

2.  Food choice and culture (Autumn 2)

Different cultures and dietary choices - all practical sessions focused on dishes from different cultural traditions.

3.  "All about" ingredients (Spring 1)

In-depth study of specific ingredients - scientific processes, higher-skill practicals and a tasting session.

4.  Nutrition and packaging (Spring 2)

Food packaging project, labelling requirements and nutritional information. Tunnocks teacake national competition entry.

5.  Healthy diets (Summer 1)

Healthy diets for different age groups - students plan and cook their own choice dish.

6.  Skills (Summer 2)

High-level skills for GCSE - a mini-NEA2 practical exam practising preparation, skill and time management.

Why study this?

Year 9 Food and Nutrition builds practical cooking skill, nutritional knowledge and food science understanding, preparing students directly for GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition.

Key vocabulary

seasonality  ·  additives  ·  carbon footprint  ·  food provenance  ·  nutrition  ·  macronutrients  ·  micronutrients  ·  dietary requirements  ·  allergens  ·  food hygiene  ·  bacteria  ·  cross-contamination  ·  cultural diet  ·  vegetarian  ·  vegan  ·  halal  ·  kosher  ·  food packaging  ·  labelling  ·  Eatwell Guide  ·  NEA2

Assessment

End of topic tests. Own choice practical. Packaging project. Teacake competition entry. Mini-NEA2 practical exam in Summer 2.

Enrichment

Local farm trip  ·  Butchery workshop  ·  Tunnocks national competition  ·  Links to GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

Overview

Textiles in Year 9 is a full year of extended project-based work - building sketchbook documentation, exploring a wide range of 2D and 3D techniques, and responding to two themes: "Sweet Treats" and "Under the Microscope". Assessment follows GCSE AO1–AO4 criteria throughout.

Topics this year

1.  Technique samples and introduction (Autumn 1)

A wide range of techniques using the sewing machine - building confidence and creating a reference sketchbook.

2.  Sweet treats – Sketchbook and development (Autumn 2)

Developing sketchbook skills - artist research, exploration, experimentation. GCSE AO1–AO4 success criteria introduced.

3.  Sweet treats – Artist response (Spring 1)

Selecting one of three Textiles artists, producing personal study and fashion illustrations for a chosen accessory.

4.  Under the microscope – Research and sampling (Spring 2)

A new project combining processes to create textures and organic patterns - independent research and documentation.

5.  Under the microscope – Final piece (Summer 1)

Researching textile artists focused on texture, pattern and layers - planning and developing a final piece of Textile Art.

6.  GCSE-style assessment (Summer 2)

Introduction to the GCSE assessment method (AO1-AO4). Creating abstract Textile Art from research and samples.

Why study this?

Year 9 Textiles develops the creative, technical and evaluative skills preparing students directly for GCSE Textiles - leaving students with a portfolio of work they are genuinely proud of.

Key vocabulary

technique samples  ·  sketchbook  ·  AO1  ·  AO2  ·  AO3  ·  AO4  ·  sewing machine  ·  mixed media  ·  appliqué  ·  embroidery  ·  screen printing  ·  2D  ·  3D  ·  texture  ·  pattern  ·  layers  ·  artist influence  ·  fashion illustration  ·  accessory  ·  abstract  ·  organic pattern

Assessment

Ongoing verbal and written feedback. Assessed technique sketchbook. End of year final assessment using GCSE AO1–AO4 criteria.

Enrichment

Links to GCSE Textiles  ·  After-school textiles workshops