In year 7 students have 30 lessons a week, these are allotted as follows:

Below is a general overview of the topics students are taught throughout the year in each subject.

For a more in depth outline of each subject please click on the link for the subject page.

If you would like to speak to us about any aspect of our curriculum, please get in touch.

Art

Autumn term  Spring term  Summer term 
Formal elements

Introduction of the formal elements and development of initial skills such as observational pencil drawings and a focus on demonstrating control when using different mediums. 

Natural Forms 

Students investigate the meaning of natural forms and create a variety of pieces inspired by this theme, with an exploration of popular printmaker Angie Lewin. 

Aboriginal

Students research Aboriginal and Native art, distinguishing the different styles and creating traditional dot paintings and exploring totem poles. 

Visit our art page for more information

Computing

Autumn term

  • Microsoft office
  • Business plan

Spring term

  • Application development
  • Media advert

Summer term

  • Staying safe online
  • Reuse, reduce, recycle

Visit our computing, IT & media page for more information

Dance

Autumn term

  • Musicals

Spring term

  • Musicals – School show
  • Cultural dance

Summer term

  • Variety performance
  • Superheroes

Visit our dance page for more information

Design and technology

Please note that that due to the different classes within a year group, students do not follow a set termly curriculum for design and technology. Instead, all students will complete all of the topics below during different terms throughout the academic year.

Rotation   Rotation  Rotation 
Blockbot 

Resistant materials  

Students create a wooden robot toy, using a range of skills including; chiselling, sawing and using a range of machinery.  

Monster key ring 

Textiles 

Students create a key ring using a fabric. Producing designs, understanding both natural fibres and synthetic materials, and using a range of hand stitches. 

Cooking 

Food 

Students spend time looking at safety in the kitchen, potential careers linked to hospitality and engaging in a range of practical sessions. Focusing on safely using knives, operating an oven and hygiene in the kitchen. 

Visit our design and technology page for more information

Drama

Autumn term

  • Mime
  • Matilda

Spring term

  • Message in a Bottle (Characterisation)
  • Refugee Boy

Summer term

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Visit our drama page for more information

English language and literature

Autumn term

  • The Bone Sparrow 
  • Persuasive and fictional writing​

Spring term

  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Discussion and creative writing

Summer term

  • Animal Farm
  • Fictional and propaganda writing

Visit our English page for more information

Geography

Autumn term

  • Map skills
  • Settlements

Spring term

  • Weather and climate
  • Biomes of the world

Summer term

  • Population and migration
  • Rivers

Visit our geography page for more information

History

Autumn term

  • Roman Britain – Study of a period of history predating 1066
  • The Norman Conquests from 1066

Spring term

  • Medieval castles
  • Early plantagenets

Summer term

  • Plague and revolt
  • Native American indians

Visit our history page for more information

Mathematics

Autumn term

  • Decimals
  • Factors, multiples and primes
  • Manipulating algebra
  • Negative numbers
  • Averages
  • Collecting data
  • Rounding

Spring term

  • Properties of 2D shapes
  • Fractions
  • Solving equations
  • Angles
  • Percentages

Summer term

  • Ratio and proportion
  • Area and perimeter
  • Presenting data
  • Sequences
  • Metric
  • Probability

Visit our maths page for more information

Modern foreign languages

Spanish

Autumn term

  • All about me
  • Talking about family

Spring term

  • Describing people
  • Discussing hobbies

Summer term

  • My home and local area

French

Autumn term

  • My school and I

Spring term

  • Describing people
  • Discussing hobbies

Summer term

  • My home and local area

Visit our languages page for more information

Music

Autumn term

  • Find Your Voice Level 1
  • African drumming

Spring term

  • Message in a Bottle – (Performance and composition – theme parks)

Summer term

  • Variety band skills

Visit our music page for more information

Physical education

Autumn term Spring term Summer term
  • Hockey 
  • Rugby 
  • Trampolining 
  • Netball
  • Rugby 
  • Trampolining  
  • Fitness 
  • Basketball 
  • Cricket 
  • Athletics 
  • Badminton 
  • Hockey 

Visit our physical education page for more information

Religious studies*

Autumn term

  • Introduction to religious education
  • Religious symbolism

Spring term

  • Christianity
  • Hinduism

Summer term

  • Non-religious beliefs
  • Philosophy

* Parents and carers have the right to request their child is withdrawn from all or parts of religious studies. Requests can be made by contacting the academy at office@retfordoaks-ac.org.uk

Visit our religious education page for more information

Science

Autumn term  Spring term  Summer term 
  • Working scientifically
  • Cells and organisation 
  • Particles, elements and compounds  
  • Body systems 
  • Chemical reactions 
  • Forces 
  • Reproduction 
  • Acids and alkalis  
  • Sound and light 

Visit our science page for more information