Year 7 Curriculum

Upon arrival at Hounsdown, students are placed into mixed ability tutor groups.  They are taught in their tutor groups for the following subjects; Art, Drama, Music.  For practical subjects such as Design & Technology and PE, they are taught in smaller, mixed ability groups to meet health and safety requirements.

For the core subjects English, Maths, Science, Computing, Geography, History and MFL (French or Spanish), students join one of three equal broad ability groups.  These groups consist of two equal mixed groups and one higher 'Spire' group which is created in September following teacher assessment and students’ prior attainment, e.g., CATS score or KS2 teacher assessments.  Re-setting takes place regularly using teacher assessments.

English, MFL (French & Spanish) Ethics and ICT are set together, with the student’s English ability primarily determining their set.  Maths and Science are set together with the student’s Maths ability primarily determining their set.

Before starting year 7, students and their parents express an interest in the Modern Foreign Language they would like to study, either French or Spanish.  However, due to staffing levels, the preference identified may not always be offered.

All students follow the same curriculum apart from a small number of students invited to join a transition group.  These students benefit from having additional specialist support in English and Maths and more contact from one specialist teacher to support their transition from year 6.

Curriculum Booklet

The following tables show the number of hours per fortnight taught to support the Year 7 Curriculum.