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Subjects: Key Stage 3
(Years 7, 8 & 9)

KS3 subject specific information and useful revision links.

Computing

Learn to Code

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E-safety

Drama

Drama Department Blog
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English Faculty

English Faculty Blog
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Geography

At KS3 the main work in geography is to continue to explore various places, patterns and processes and to deepen and broaden students’ knowledge of the world. We do not require students to purchase any particular text or revision guide. 

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The following points are aspects of our learning that you will want to continue to develop in order to enhance your geographical knowledge and understanding.  

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  • Locational knowledge- this is about knowing where places are, being able to interpret maps at different scales, recognising the shapes of countries and within them where significant features are located 

  • Physical processes- these link with scientific knowledge of systems that affect the planet such as weather and the hydrological cycle. We also develop our understanding of the landscape and the processes that can change the shape of different features. 

  • Human processes- this is an understanding of social, political and economic geography. To review settlements and how these change over time, we also review globalisation and development 

  • Sense of place- this is inherent in strong geographers, they are able to make detailed analysis of map, photographic and data evidence to understand what life would be like in particular places 

  • Hazards- understanding various phenomena and how these can disrupt human and physical landscapes, examples includes tropical storms, earthquakes, volcanoes and wild fires.  

 

The following websites are great at providing information, quizzes and research 

History

In KS3 we are beginning to cover the topics and skills we require students to gain for GCSE History. A great way to prepare yourself ready for GCSE is to focus on a number of skills:

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  • Chronological understanding – can you place key historical events in a wider historical context? Are there similarities between time periods?

  • Change and continuity – can you see what has changed during a time period? Have things stayed the same? Is it a combination of both?

  • Cause and consequence – what is it that sparks off a historical event? How have historical events affected people and places afterwards?

  • Interpretations – what do historians think about key events? Why do you think they have this opinion?

  • Evidence – what source material can help you understand the past easier? Are contemporary sources the most useful for a historian?

  • Using historical vocabulary – what key words are commonly used within your topic you are studying? Can you use these key words in your answers?

  • Structuring your knowledge – are you able to show in your written work how events can flow together to form the time period? Can you see what leads on to what?

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There are a number of key websites that are useful to learn more about the past:

 

When using these websites, try to relate these to your topics that we are studying in lessons.

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Maths

In Maths we recommend buying CGP Mathematics 1-9 Complete Revision and Practice. There are two tiers, Higher and Foundation so make sure you get the one relevant to your tier of entry. These can be bought from school or online.

 

Maths GCSE Revision

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Useful Websites

MFL

At KS3, we introduce and develop students’ understanding of the key phonics, vocabulary and grammatical concepts of the target language.  

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Students learn German, Spanish and French on a rotation in Year 7 and are given a choice of which language they take from Year 8 onwards, when they continue with one language until the end of Year 9, when they make their GCSE options choices.

 

We cover the following topics in all languages:

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​​Year 7

  • Personal identity, family and pets

  • Saying where you live

  • Hobbies
     

Year 8

  • Where you live and environment

  • Free time activities

  • Sport, fitness and illness

  • Media and technology

  • Relationships with others
     

Year 9

  • Education and work

  • Transport and holidays

  • Customs, festivals and celebrations

  • Healthy eating

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Music

Help with understanding music theory can be found under the ‘lessons’ tab of the following link:

PDL

Religious Education

Intent:  

RSC at Crofton School equips students to become the change they wish to see in the world by building mutual respect, understanding, and promoting the importance of world views. 

  

Implementation:  

At KS3, we implement our Religious Education programme of study through a carefully planned, broad and balanced curriculum, which is in line with the pedagogy outlined in the Hampshire Agreed Syllabus ‘Living Difference 3’. This is student-centered, conceptual enquiry with deep philosophical, moral and religious questions at the core of learning. 

 

At GCSE, we use the same pedagogy and base our Religious Studies programmes of study around the guidelines found in the Educas Religious Studies Syllabus. Students will study the beliefs and practices of two religions: Islam and Christianity, interleaved with four ethical themes. 

 

Impact: 

Through our broad and balanced curriculum many students opt to take RE at GCSE. This highlights the level of interest, and evidence of students understanding the importance and impact of learning Religious Education. As a subject we promote a love of learning, and this is evidenced through our positive level of progress at GCSE. 

 

Religious Studies GCSE Results: 

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Science

In Science we actively encourage you to be an Independent Learner and extend your knowledge outside of your normal lessons.

 

Below are some useful resources that are a good place to start when looking to develop your knowledge:

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  • BBC Focus Magazine - An excellent, monthly magazine featuring articles on popular science and technology pitched at just the right level for our pupils. If we could only suggest one resource, this would be it.

  • A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson - Often of recommended reading lists for A-level or degree, but certainly accessible to our students. Easy to read and covers many areas of popular science.

  • Boffinology - Justin Pollard - A fantastic collection of (short) stories and anecdotes about the successes (and disasters) of a number of scientists.

 

Useful Links:

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  • Nelson Thornes AQA GCSE Science books. Now out of print as taken over by OUP (see below) but these are the books that we use in Science lessons

  • Oxford University Press - AQA GCSE Science books - Click here

  • gg/CroftonScience - Our own web resource with lots of past paper questions

 

Revision Guides:

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  • CGP Triple Science (sold as a set) £16.50: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

  • CGP Core & Additional Science (sold separately) Core £5.50, Additional £5.50

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Address

Marks Road, Stubbington,
Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 2AT,

United Kingdom

Phone

Reception: 01329 664251

Student Absence: 01329 666824

Email

school@croftonschool.co.uk

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