Year 8 Mini-Options 2017-18

We continue with our drive of maximising attainment for every student across the curriculum.
Up to now, your son/ward has been studying a wide range of creative subjects in Years 7 and
8. However, due to the increased demands of the new GCSEs in English and mathematics,
along with the sharp focus on core subjects, we are now going to provide time to accelerate the
creative subjects in Year 9 so high levels of progress can still be made. Therefore, to find this
time for more in-depth study of the creative subjects, you and your son/ward are now going to
be able to make some choices of study in Year 9. The choices are:

Two subjects from: art, design & technology, drama and music.

In Year 9, the two chosen subjects will then have double the lesson time, while the other two
subjects will not appear on your son/wards timetable. The focus on the selected subjects will
be to develop the knowledge, application and skills to be highly successful at GCSE and then
at post-16 level, if appropriate. Creative subjects form a vital part of a broad and balanced
curriculum and our intention is that all students develop an appreciation for life-long learning in
many areas. We would also encourage students to make time for creative and practical
activities at home and through the range of extra-curricular opportunities at school.

This information sheet provides more details on the subjects available. Information on the
process, some frequently asked questions and the key dates are contained within this leaflet.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via email:
jhigginbottom@isleworthsyon.org.

Thank you for your support.

Ms J Higginbottom
Deputy Headteacher
 Subjects
Art & Design
Art & design encourages you to be both
adventurous and enquiring at the same time
as being expressive with your work.
In Year 9, you will get the opportunity to
develop practical skills with project-based
activities as well as exploring the work of art
from different times and cultures.
You will also be taught to pay attention to
presentation and detail in your finished work,
the perfect preparation for GCSEs. Year 9
art & design projects will include:
Dragons and skateboards
Mixed media collage work
Pop art
Print making
Page | 1
Design & Technology
In design & technology, you will engage in a
variety of creative and practical activities.
You will be taught the knowledge,
understanding and skills needed to engage
in an iterative process of designing and
making.
In particular, you will develop your abilities in
the following areas if you choose design &
technology:
How to embed programmable
electronic devices into an electronic
product.
How to use CAD (Computer-Aided
Design) to produce realistic 3D
images of product ideas.
How to use a 3D printer to produce
complex ideas.
How to use a laser cutter and CNC
(Computer Numerical Control) router
to manufacture a product.
 Subjects
Drama
The focus in Year 9 is on developing the key
drama skills of rehearsal, performance and
evaluation by applying them to more
challenging and adventurous work. You will
explore a range of performance styles such
as naturalism, physical theatre and forum
theatre.
You will learn the skills required to interpret
script before performing in a 5-to-10-minute
scripted section from Lord of the Flies. In the
second term, you will develop your ability to
work as an independent ensemble of
performers before starting work on devising
your own original piece of work on a given
theme. In the Summer Term, the focus is on
developing the skills required to write
constructively and incisively about
performance, before ending the year with a
focus on storytelling.
Year 9 drama projects will include:
Acting skills for scripted work
Scripted project Lord of the Flies
Working as an ensemble
Devising project
Writing about performance
Storytelling
Page | 2
Music
The focus in Year 9 is on developing your
musicianship through the acts of performing,
appraising and composing - the three key
strands studied at GCSE level. This will be
through looking at several different genres of
music and exploring different instruments.
Year 9 music projects will include:
Western Classical, Modern Classical,
Popular Song and Traditional Music -
analyse and study set works.
Pop performance and composition -
compose and perform your pop song
and study some of the most influential
pop song artists.
Minimalism - perform and compose
music from the Minimalism movement
looking at John Cage, Terry Riley and
Steve Reich.
Folk Music - analyse and perform folk
music from around the world,
including Ireland, China and Scotland.
Drumming - explore the percussive
instruments of Africa, India and Latin
America. You will cover techniques
such as: call and response,
improvisation, and syncopation using
vocals and percussion.
Guitar Studies - learn how to play
chords on a guitar and how these
chords are important to creating
music.
 Next Steps
MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 Further information begins in lessons

THURSDAY 11 MAY 2017 Assembly to Year 8 students

THURSDAY 11 MAY 2017 Information leaflet sent home; also available via
the school website (www.isleworthsyon.org/mini-
options/).

MONDAY 15 MAY 2017 Online form emailed to students

MONDAY 22 MAY 2017 3.00PM Deadline for completing online form

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE THE BEST REASONS FOR CHOOSING MY SUBJECTS?
You enjoy these subjects
You are good at these subjects
They may link to future career aspirations.

IF I DROP A SUBJECT NOW, CAN I STILL TAKE IT AS A GCSE OPTION?

It will be possible to study a subject in Year 10 if you have not studied it in Year 9. However,
you will need to show that you have continued to develop your skills in this area, through other
activities inside and/or outside of school.

I AM HAVING TROUBLE DECIDING - WHAT CAN I DO?

Speak to your subject teachers, your form tutor, and/or Mr Dargan.
Research careers, apprenticeships and degrees linked to the subjects that you are
interested in.