Laleham Gap School
Year 8 - Termly Learning 2026-2027
| Term | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
| English |
Central text:: ‘Sky Hawk’ or “Boy” or a super-readable text “Edgar and Adolph” or “Rat”
Through this story of friendship, conservation and an exciting rescue mission students will learn about the writer’s craft, foreshadowing and how to write a range of non-fiction and creative texts.
NB –teacher discretion is used during the teaching of non-fiction texts and alternative texts maybe used to help enthuse students and aid enjoyment of reading.
A super-readable text maybe used instead of a larger class reader. |
Dystopian Fiction
This unit covers a range of texts from a popular genre and covers a range of analytical skills, character and persuasive writing. There are opportunities to enjoy additional books and films alongside to deepen the understanding of this genre. |
Travel Writing
A range of non-fiction and fiction texts and non-fiction to build the students’ understanding of the world. There will be opportunities to compare texts, understand how writers convey their points of view. Students will experience and trip and follow up with diary writing and travel blogging. |
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Maths HW |
Algebraic Thinking Sequences
Understand and use algebraic notation
Equality and equivalence |
Place Value and proportion Place Value and ordering integers and decimals
Fraction, decimal and percentage equivalence |
Application of Number Solving problems with Additon and subtraction
Solving problems with multiplication and division
Fractions and percentages of amounts |
Directed Number Operations and equations with directed number
Fractional Thinking Addition and subtraction of fractions |
Lines and Angles Constructing measuring and using geometric notation
Developing geometric reasoning |
Reasoning with Number Developing number sense
Sets and probability
Prime numbers and proof |
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Maths BC |
Prime Numbers and Proof
Ratio and Scale
Multiplicative Change
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions |
Work in Cartesian Plane
Represent Data
Tables and Probability
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Brackets, equations and inequalities
Sequences
Indices |
Fractions and percentages.
Standard Index Form
Number Sense |
Angles in Parallel lines and polygons
Area of Trapezia and circles
Line symmetry
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Data Handling cycle
Measures of location |
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Maths AC |
Proportion and Reasoning Ratio and Scale Multiplicative Change Multiplying and Dividing Ratio |
Representations Working in the Cartesian Plane Representing Data Tables and Probability |
Algebraic Techniques Brackets, equations, and inequalities Sequences and equalities. |
Developing Number Fractions and Percentages Standard index form Number Sense |
Developing Geometry Angles in Parallel lines and polygons Area of trapezia and circles Line symmetry and reflection |
Reasoning with Data The data handling cycle Measure of locations |
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Science
Biology Chemistry Physics |
Food & digestion
Periodic Table
Light |
Food & digestion
Periodic Table
Light |
Breathing & respiration Combustion
Earth & Space |
Plant reproduction
Metals & their uses
Fluids |
Unicellular organisms Rocks & material
Energy transfer |
Unicellular organisms Rocks & material
Energy transfer |
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Computing |
Focus Digital Literacy
Computer Systems
Learning about what the purpose of the operating system is and introducing logic gates and truth tables.
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Focus Information Technology
Spreadsheets
Revisit formulas introduce simple functions and sorting / filtering, moving on to creating Charts by selecting the relevant information. |
Focus Computer Science
HTML Basics
Introduce HTML and over the term practice adding text, images and formatting colour to make a simple webpage. |
Focus Digital Literacy
Keeping Safe Online
To develop our understanding of how to stay safe online – looking at the laws and motives around sharing images inc. Nudes and semi nudes Looking at how to get support / be supportive. |
Focus Information Technology
Presenting Information
To refine presentation skills; looking at how to successfully use action buttons and triggers to help with navigation.
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Focus: Digital Literacy Cyber Security
Introduction to the laws surrounding the computing and how to ensure we are using computers effectively. |
| History |
Focus: Queen Elizabeth I
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Focus: Exit The Tudors, Enter The Stuarts… From Civil War to Commonwealth
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Focus: The Restoration Period
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Focus: The Industrial Revolution
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Focus: The Slave Trade
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Geography |
Focus: Geography and you.
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Focus: Weather and Climate in the UK
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Focus: The people of the UK
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Focus: Work Rest and Play in the UK
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Focus: Physical Landscapes in the UK
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Focus: Challenges and Opportunities in the UK
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PE |
Focus – Movement into gaps and Spaces
This termly focus will be introduced, development and improved through the following physical activity rotation:
Tag Rugby, Table tennis, Badminton, Basketball, Dodgeball, Fitness, Kabaddi, Football, Bench ball, Handball, Volleyball, Pickle ball, cricket, speed stacks, stool ball & Tennis.
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Focus – Selecting the correct Pass / action at the right time.
This termly focus will be introduced, development and improved through the following physical activity rotation:
Tag Rugby, Table tennis, Badminton, Basketball, Dodgeball, Fitness, Kabaddi, Football, Bench ball, Handball, Volleyball, Pickle ball, cricket, speed stacks, stool ball & Tennis.
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Focus – Selecting the correct time to Shoot.
This termly focus will be introduced, development and improved through the following physical activity rotation:
Tag Rugby, Table tennis, Badminton, Basketball, Dodgeball, Fitness, Kabaddi, Football, Bench ball, Handball, Volleyball, Pickle ball, cricket, speed stacks, stool ball & Tennis.
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Focus - The importance of teamwork.
This termly focus will be introduced, development and improved through the following physical activity rotation:
Tag Rugby, Table tennis, Badminton, Basketball, Dodgeball, Fitness, Kabaddi, Football, Bench ball, Handball, Volleyball, Pickle ball, cricket, speed stacks, stool ball & Tennis.
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Focus – Throwing and bowling with varying power and direction.
This termly focus will be introduced, development and improved through the following physical activity rotation:
Cricket, Handball, Basketball, Dodgeball, Football, Stoolball Rounders, Shot Putt, Ultimate Frisbee. Pupil Choice
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Focus – Feilding techniques and positioning in the field.
This termly focus will be introduced, development and improved through the following physical activity rotation:
Javelin, Shot Putt, Long jump, Speed stacks, Sprinting, Relay, Cricket, Dodgeball, Football, Stoolball Rounders, Curling, boccia, & Ultimate Frisbee.
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Food Tech |
Focus: To improve confidence in the kitchen Health and safety and safe use of equipment recap questions. Safe use of an oven to make a baked product. Building on recipe reading skills and identifying weights and measurements Safe use of knives. Different types of diets and food cultures. How to adapt a recipe to make it healthier. |
Focus: introduction to other cuisines
Food miles and fair trade. Eat well guide recap questions and identify the nutrients. Identify seasonal foods. Different religious diets. Identifying the skills used in cooking. |
Focus: introduction to other cuisines
The students investigate and cook examples of foods from around the world, identifying what skills they are using to make them. |
Focus: Where our food comes from
The students learn where we get meat and fish from and what the main nutrients we get from these products. Where do vegans and vegetarians get protein from. The pupils will be cooking examples of protein and carbohydrate-based meals. |
Focus: plan food for a meal for a teenager
The pupils will be researching what nutrients a teenager would need then identifying a suitable meal for them. Students will also investigate how to make a dough |
Focus: plan food for a chosen event
Students choose an event to plan a menu for, they are given three events to choose from and focus on one for their project, the students design the food for the event, describe why its nutritious and cook chosen recipes from their work. |
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Fine Art |
Focus Complex colour mixing and abstract art Pupils will learn about complex colour mixing techniques such as skin tones. And practice their brush and paint application control They will then experience a 2D design process to design an abstract painting using the formal rules of abstract art. During this project they will research and explore 20C abstract artists such as Rothko, Mondrian and Pollak etc |
Focus abstract art design process (colour ,shape and pattern) and acrylic painting Using their knowledge of abstract Pupils will explore the use of colour, shapes and patterns in non western cultures such as aboriginal painting and Tibetan mandala sand paintings. As part of the process they will be introduced to acrylic painting techniques by designing and making an abstract painting on canvas. |
Focus Picasso 3d mixed media and construction Pupils will concentrate on designing and making a mixed media 3D head which shows they have understanding of cubism and how to use materials such as cardboard, glue and paint to make a decorated structure. They will use their painting skills learnt from the abstract painting project to explore mark making, pattern and surface decoration. They will start to analyse their work as it progresses and when it is finished. they will do research in to Pablo Picasso’s portraits and will look how his ideas were influenced by his interest in African Art |
Focus myself Photo shop construction all about me Developing photoshop skills by producing a visual representation of their interests, dreams and dislikes By producing an art work based loosely on Holbine’s Ambassadors Working on skills selecting appropriate size images, cutting out of background, resizing and colour light balance.
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Focus portraiture Photography and drawing the human head, proportion Pupils will be introduced to techniques for recording proportions of the face/head by first hand observation and also build on techniques for gridding up their image and drawing it Pupils use their knowledge of tone to help create the illusion of 3D Students will use ICT in a range of ways to take and edit photos and present their ideas. |
Focus Pop art and photographing objects Pupils will learn about Pop Art to be able to recognise Pop Art Images explore the concepts of social media and celebrity, They will research and explore the work of artists such as Andy Warhol and Peter Blake They will produce both digital and traditional pop art images.
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ACD |
Focus Graphic Design- All about me t shirt design brief- Students are given the opportunity to design a t shirt that celebrates them and that will act as an indirect self portrait. Students explore the work of artists who have experimented with indirect self portraits including Van Gogh and Peter Blake. They are encouraged to experiment and explore composition and develop an understanding of Graphic techniques.
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Focus African Masks design project (withies)– students work in both 2-D and 3-D. Using withes they are asked to create a mask sculpture, taking inspiration from masks from the African continent. They develop their knowledge and understanding of Africa and meanings that masks have (symbolic).
Pupils develop their 3D work into large 2D paintings, exploring space and scale.
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Focus African Masks design project (withies)–
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Focus Lino printing design brief (print making) – students are set a design brief to make a range of 2 – 3 colour lino printed gift cards, learning about reductive print methods and simplification of a design. The theme is animals and their environments. They explore and analyse the work of a range of suitable artists including Edward Bawden, Angie Lewin and Mark Hearld, making personal responses to their work. This builds on previous printing experiences (Poly printing and mono printing) |
Focus Observation and Mark making (mixed media / ceramics)– Students will initially focus on drawing in this unit, exploring and experimenting with different ways that we can record, this is aimed at developing their confidence and resilience whilst building upon their skills, knowledge and understanding. This will develop into looking at alternative methods of mark making, including printing and clay. They investigate and make responses to the work of Durer through mono printing (developing their understanding and willingness to experiment with mark making). |
Focus Converse design brief (Graphics)– students are set a live brief by Converse, they are asked to respond to the brief by designing a shoe based around a game of their choice. They develop their skills of composition, layout, colour arrangement. They are challenged to think about their target audience and if they are meeting the requirements of their client.
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Learning for Life |
Neurodiversity and Me Protected Characteristics: Disability Practical exploration of Neurodiversity including our own strengths and challenges so we can understand how to learn and live successfully. |
Yr8 Council campaigns and election.
Saving, borrowing, budgeting and making financial choices. Click and pay: Phones and financial risk
Anti-bullying Week: Bullying Detox Digital resilience
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Wellbeing Toolkit January Blues: Mental Health First Aid Growth vs Fixed Mindset Resilience training Self-Care
Nutrition and Vaccinations (Incl HPV) |
Exploring Faith (2) Protected Characteristics: Religion Experiential exploration of Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism
Animal Rights and Animal Care
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First Aid: CPR, AEDs and Emergency.
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Adolescent toolkit Body Image Self-Esteem Navigating Relationships Managing platonic and romantic connections
Respect and consent
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Music |
Performance Developing ensemble rehearsal skills, interpretation, arranging and performance skills To play as part of a group To use instruments together To be able to create class performances
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Jazz An exploration of jazz music, the origins, concepts and features To recognise jazz and its features To use these features in performance and through listening To be able to use improvisation and syncopation in their work
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Video Game Music Recognising the use of music in games To look at the importance of music in games Demonstrate examples of the ways music is used in games Students will have learnt game music keywords and looked at how to compose for a game
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Composing An introduction to composing original music ideas How music can be put together Provide a chance to collaborate on their ideas for a class composition Students will all have had the chance to experiment with original ideas and to discuss the structure of their work |
Rap Looking at the origins of rap music and lyric writing Using the voice to rap To examine rap and lyrics as a way to communicate Enabling students to experiment with lyrics and have the chance to use their voices
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Samba Looking at the music of Brazil. Perform as part of a group To experience world music rhythms and features Demonstrate features of Samba baterias To be able to use features of Samba music
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Drama |
Focus: : History of the Theatre A whistle-stop tour from ancient Greece to the present day. There are stops to spend some time in the medieval mystery plays, |
Focus: History of the Theatre cont... Elizabethan Theatre and having a look at Commedia dell’arte, and 18th Theatre Design before finishing up examining the multi-million pound shows of today |
Focus: Harry Potter Using Hogwarts as a backdrop, pupils learn a variety of expand on their previous knowledge of acting from a script.
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Focus: Harry Potter cont... |
Focus: Immersive Experiences Pupils investigate tension, atmosphere , climax and anti-climax and how this is created in film and onstage. Research on well-known ‘monsters’ and the chance to design their own scare maze |
Focus: Roald Dahl Pupils explore the life and work of the great children author. Looking at scripts to some of his books and theatrical productions of his work |
