Art

Foundation Year

The pupils have been given the chance to develop their skills as a foundation for GCSE. This term they have been studying ‘Creatures from the deep’. They have learnt how to research secondary source material and developed their imagination and creative process. Through this course they have experienced how to review and develop their ideas and conclude with a personal conclusion in 3D.

Biology

This year we have started to follow the GCSE specification. All the students have been given a GCSE text-book that they will use for the next 3 years. We have chosen topics this year that would have been covered but in Year 9 of the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum but we are dealing with them at a slightly higher level to meet the standards of GCSE.

The schemes of work for the Autumn term include:-

Key terms associated with the ‘How Science Works’ element of the GCSE course are introduced throughout the year. These are assessed in a ISA practical exam and during the autumn term, students work through a past example of an ISA assessment.

Chemistry

During the first two years at Truro School we covered all the chemistry components of the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum, and significantly more besides. In the autumn term of the Third Form the students have been introduced to the AQA GCSE Chemistry course. They have been issued with the GCSE specifications and have studied the fundamental concept of atomic structure. The role of electronic configurations in chemical bonding has been covered along with the way in which bonding and structure affect the physical properties of elements and compounds.

DT

The students have had experience of Sand Casting and have produced a “sign” from their own designs.

The students have designed and manufactured a small table from a timber of their own choice.

The students have furthered their understanding and experience of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) to produce products cut from acrylic with our computer controlled engraver.

English

Pupils are reading a widening and increasingly challenging range of literary and non-literary texts, which demand analytical as well as imaginative responses.  They have opportunities to improve speaking and listening skills.  Pupils practise writing in a variety of forms and styles.  High standards of technical accuracy and presentation, including word-processing of assignments, are encouraged.

French

This term pupils have learnt to use the future tense, talking about future activites and future life and plans. They have also revised the weather and leant how to understand the weather forecast in the future tense.

Games

RUGBY

During the term in rugby, boys extend and develop individual skills in running, passing, kicking, tackling and ball-retention.  Unit skills in ruck, maul, scrummage and lineout are developed.  Boys develop their understanding of tactics, strategies, etiquette and laws of the game. 

NETBALL

In netball, girls develop their understanding of both individual and team skills.  They explore tactics applicable to attacking play, including use of space, timing of moves, positioning and variation in speed.  They also improve their knowledge of defending play, including player to player defence and restriction of areas and players.

Geography

The year started with a study of development criteria and the characteristics of less economically developed countries with particular emphasis on Ghana. The students are now looking at a contrasting study of China. They will then study global trade and the problems with coffee production in less economically developed countries were examined. The role of fair-trade in helping some coffee producers will also be considered.

German

Pupils have learned how to ask for and give personal details, discuss their hobbies and also talk about what they and other people did on a trip.  They have also been discussing school, their subjects and comparing English and German education systems.

History

The pupils have completed a project on the First World War. They have studied military, social, economic and political aspects, including the causes of the war and the reasons for Germany's defeat.

Maths

Since September we have covered a mixture of topics from the three main syllabus strands: Number & Algebra, Shape & Space and Handling Data.  In particular we have looked at Pythagoras’s Theorem, percentages, formulae (including sequences), accuracy in calculations, circles (circumference and area), volumes (prisms and cylinders) and some statistics (diagrams and averages).

Music

This term 3rd year pupils undertake two half term projects:  The first is a keyboard course where pupils are introduced to the basics of piano/keyboard playing. They practise a variety of lively and interesting pieces which can be performed in a variety of ways, according to the pupils’ abilities and experience.   The 2nd course explores the basics of harmony through primary triads and the pupils go on to compose in this medium.

PE

BASKETBALL AND BADMINTON

During this term, the skills and tactics of basketball and badminton are developed.  In basketball, the full 5 v 5 game is explored involving basic positions, formations and associated rules.  In badminton, basic skills are refined and an understanding of variation in pace, trajectory and direction is developed through the singles and doubles game.

MULTI SKILLS & SWIMMING

'Multi-Skills' consists of a variety of colour coded cards, structured around a staged series of challenges that introduce, build and develop the core fundamental movement skills of balance, co-ordination and agility. The cards allow pupils to work more independently and with reciprocal learning opportunities. Whilst there is a core physical content to the activities, the cards seek to challenge Personal, Social, Cognitive and Creative strands, alongside a developing understanding of Health and Fitness. For more information follow the link: www.createdevelopment.com

In swimming, pupils refine stroke technique over longer distances with emphasis on competitive starts, turns and finishes.  Pupils are also introduced to water polo, life saving and survival swimming.

Physics

The third year course builds on the second year and extends the work on electricity to circuits and the way they behave.

Other topics covered include forces and pressure, energy, gravity and motion. The approach is practical and the emphasis is to develop the skills and knowledge needed to start tha GCSE course.

RE

The third year marks the commencement of the OCR GCSE (short course) which runs all the way through to the end of year 5. Pupils will be prepared for two papers: Luke's Gospel and Ethics. During the first half of the academic year, year 3 pupils have focused on the Lukan paper and covered the following topics: discipleship, the birth narratives and parables.

Students have been introduced to basic Spanish pronunciation. They have learnt the months, days of the week and numbers. They have been shown how to give personal information about themselves and ask others for personal information. Recently they have been learning how to discuss their likes and dislikes with regard to food and healthy eating in Spanish.