We aim to publish the news by 1600 GMT on the News Day, so please keep checking the website to see how the students are getting on with their reporting skills!

The production will be held on Wednesday 22^nd February at 7.00pm in Medlock Hall

Everyone is welcome to attend this fabulous event, tickets are just £1.00 and are available from Breda O’Neill in Student Services.

FellSwoop Theatre presents….

Belleville Rendez-vous

Take a seat in the Belleville Rendez-vous, a 1950s cabaret bar and witness the fantastical and touching story of orphaned cycling fanatic, Champion, his grandmother and their corpulent dog, Bruno.

Inspired by the film, Belleville Rendez-vous tells the charming tale of Madame Souza’s fight to rescue Champion from the mysterious crooks that kidnapped him during the Tour de France. Joining forces with the ageing jazz trio Les Triplettes de Belleville, they hatch an ambitious plan to rescue him from his seeming state of peril.

Spanning countryside to metropolis, FellSwoop’s original stage adaptation uses puppetry, physical theatre, live jazz and bespoke sound effects to tell this touching comedy that has enthralled audiences around the world. 

Winner of the NSDF Edinburgh Emerging Artists Competition 2011.

“Inventively staged, cunningly choreographed and brilliantly scored, this production dazzles with its wit and imagination” Three Weeks 
“A gentle, charming, lively production” Bristol Evening Post

Fest Magazine ****
The List ****
A Younger Theatre ****
Three Weeks ****
Broadway Baby ****

March Exams 2012

To take a look at the girls’ fixtures please follow the link: Girls’ fixtures spring 2012

To take a look at the boys’ fixtures please follow the link: boys’ spring fixtures 2012

This year students from Y8 and 9 joined the service and were wonderful. So many Merchants commented on their concentration and excellent behaviour. In this photo Holly and Oliver from Y8 join with students from the other two schools to receive their buns from the outgoing and incoming Masters of The Merchant Venturers.

A selected group of year nine students went on a trip to the Isle of Skye on the 16th – 21st October.
The activities up in Skye ranged from mug designs to canoeing to mountain rescue; and so many more! The students said that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a life changing experience, they also said that they were grateful for having the chance to go.
Each day of the course the Columba staff had a new value for the students to focus on, and they had to do activities based on the value, and at the end of the day they had to reflect on the things they learned!

Jack said “Franko’s food was AMAZING!” and Sydney enjoyed the friend-ships that were built throughout the course. Many of the students found something new in themselves, and said that they are going to use that new found value more in everyday life.
The Columba graduates 2011 said to the next group ‘enjoy yourself, but don’t treat it as a holiday you may miss important parts of the course. Believe In Yourself!’

We are in the very first stages of putting a partnership together and think our students can benefit hugely from this experience. I can confirm that we will be partnered with The Kenya High School. This is a very reputable school in the centre of Nairobi and is the oldest national girls’ high school. It is a boarding school and has 920 students, and 55 teaching staff. www.kenyahigh.ac.ke

If anyone would like more information, or has any ideas please see Miss Barnes, Miss Angell, Mr Baker or Miss Elliot.

The dancers were brilliant, showing enthusiasm and teamwork as they battled out their routine that included The Lazy song, Whine up and TGIF. The dancers were amazed by the different dance crews and we all enjoyed watching a special performance by Twist n Pulse (Runners up of Britain’s got talent).

Even though we did not win a trophy this time we all had a great day. If you would like to watch our performance the dancers will be performing at STAGES in February.

Well done dance academy!

To find out more please read our letter: Letter to Parents Feb 2012

As Head Coach of the squad and the Director of Merchants’ Football Academy, Damon Sefton, has accumulated a wealth of playing and coaching experience over a 15 year period. After being released by Swindon Town FC he went on to play non league football for Cheltenham Town, Cirencester Town and Cinderford Town before embarking on a coaching career within his local community. He has developed his own Football Academy from scratch which is currently enjoying its first year playing in the British College League.

School History – Medicine and Public Health Through Time

GCSE Bitesize – Audio  (this contains audio soundbites you can download and listen to for revision)

School History – Weimar and Nazi Germany

Johndclare.net – A modern Word History GCSE Revision Site (for Weimar and Nazi Germany)

History GCSE

School History – Medicine through time

School History – Germany

GCSE History Revision Videos (videos)

GCSE Bitesize – Geography Videos

Extreme Environments Revision Resources:

Desert Landforms and Processes

Desertification

Revision booklet – Overview and Deserts

Revision booklet – Mountains

GCSE Bitesize – Mock exams

BBC Bitesize – English Literature

Steinbeck – Of Mice and Men

The curriculum is split into KS3 Science and KS4. Students complete their KS3 studies during Years 7 and 8 as this encourages pace and engagement.

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Key stage 3

At KS3 all students explore a number of modules from the three main disciplines of Science; biology, chemistry and physics. These include modules such as the solar system and beyond, sound and hearing and tissues and transplants.

At Merchants’ Academy the students are engaged in practical activities for at least 50% of their curriculum time. At the end of each module, students complete a self assessment task or a summative examination.

Key stage 4

KS4 is completed over Years 9, 10 and 11. This allows the students to gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered at KS4. This in turn leads to students being better prepared for progression into post 16 science education if they so wish.

At KS4 students follow one of the following pathways depending on the course that best suits their learning styles.

Edexcel BTEC level 2 Extended certificate in Applied Science pathway

The Edexcel BTEC level 2 Extended certificate in Applied Science is a work related course that involves the completion of assignments that are broken down into achievable tasks.

The work is presented as an assessed portfolio of evidence to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the three different areas of Science in the first year and then there is a choice of units in following years.

Edexcel GCSE Science double award

The GCSE is split into Edexcel GSCE Core and Additional science, each being a separate GCSE. Learning can be content or context based and there is a large emphasis on developing scientific skills alongside understanding.

Assessment:

Short and long answer final papers for chemistry, biology and physics. 75%

Internal assessment activities based on practical activities 25%

Edexcel GCSE Science single award and entry level science

Students complete core GCSE Science as described above but complete entry level science first as an independent award that leads the students into the more challenging GCSE.

This September the science department are offering the students at Merchants’ Academy the opportunity to follow the Edexcel triple Science course. The triple Science course allows the students to obtain separate science qualifications in biology, chemistry and physics. These are often prerequisite qualifications for students who wish to pursue careers in the medical and veterinary sector.

Key stage 5 International Baccalaureate

The Academy is an IB World School and delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma at KS5. The Science Department offers biology and chemistry to IB students in both higher and standard levels.

Please see the links below for further information on the IB.

http://www.ibo.org

Career links

Science is a required qualification for careers in nursing, medical industry, science research, veterinary sector, pharmacology, physiology, physiotherapy and midwifery.

For further information on science careers:

http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks.nsf/alpha.htm

Useful links and resources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bitesize

https://www.samlearning.com

http://ibbiology.wetpaint.com/

http://www.clickbiology.com

Who to contact for more information

Mrs Vicki Starkie – Curriculum area leader.

Miss Joanna Smith – Second in science

Mrs Jenny Templar – Technician manager.

The course is taught to students in Years 10, 11 and 12. Students can gain a BTEC level 2 qualification.

Course outline

The course is taught through an assessed series of units and a final portfolio allowing students to reach a standard required for a career working in the hairdressing profession. Students gain practical knowledge of the hairdressing profession – colouring, cutting, as well as the science behind chemicals and treatment of products which will allow them to enter the hairdressing profession with confidence.

Work Experience

Students are encouraged to seek work experience to further their knowledge, skills and experience. In addition, clients regularly visit the salon for hairdressing services.

Co-curricular

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are also able to experience life in the salon through co-curricular activities. This proves to be an enjoyable, extremely successful and rewarding activity for the students at the Academy.

Key Stage 3

Lessons in KS3 are about establishing basic skill levels in Year 7 and then developing a range of 2D and 3D techniques in Year 8 which can be exploited later while working towards exam accreditation. The work in KS3 explores line, tone colour, pattern and texture through 2D painting, drawing, printmaking and 3D modelling.

BTEC qualifications

For the first time this year, students in Year 9 will join students in Years 10 and 11 in studying towards a Level 2 BTEC qualification. Year 12 and 13 students are studying towards a Level 3 BTEC qualification.

Assessment

All examination students respond to project briefs which allow them to produce evidence against a variety of assessment criteria; the briefs target specific skills and techniques to provide ample opportunities for students to produce work which fulfils their potential. Work for assessment is usually practical but some written annotation and analysis is an exam requirement.

Co-curricular

This work is supported through appropriate after school and out of school activities. There is a weekly art club for KS3 students whilst KS4 and 5 students are encouraged to use the art rooms for extra work. Homework is set to all year groups. There are opportunities for students to display their work and Art Gallery exhibition visits are arranged as appropriate. This year Gifted and Talented students in Year 11 will be involved in a sustained programme of work with UWE art graduates which will lead to an exhibition at the offices of Beachcroft law firm who are sponsoring the programme.

Cadets attend a weekly training session as a co-curricular activity and have the opportunity to take part in training weekends throughout the year and an annual summer camp. It is free to join and almost all the necessary kit and equipment is provided. The ACF allows girls and boys between the ages of 12 to 18 to take part in a wide range of Military Skills and Adventure Training. Activities include drill, weapon handling and shooting, map reading, first aid, exciting adventure training opportunities, as well as participation in Ten Tors expeditions, BTEC and Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes.

The ACF building is located on-site and is brand new with excellent facilities including an indoor firing range. The detachment is commanded by an ex-army Captain and is supported by other members of staff and instructors from Bristol Cadet Force, as well as from specially trained regular personnel at 20 Cadet Training Team based in Taunton.

Course outline

Edexcel BTEC Extended Certificate in Business

(Equivalent of 2 GCSEs)

Unit 1 Business Purpose

The aim of this unit is to enable students to understand the nature of business organisations and the business environment in which they operate. Students will do this by looking at the range of organisations that exist locally, regionally and nationally and by considering the business frameworks in which they operate.

Unit 2 Business Organisations

The aim of this unit is to enable students to understand the aims and objectives of business organisations and how they are organised into functional areas to meet their business aims and objectives. Students will do this by looking at examples of local and national organisations with whom the Academy has excellent links. There will be a particular focus on businesses in the local context with which students will be familiar.

Unit 17 Starting a Small Business

During this unit students will develop their own business idea and plan the process in sufficient detail to ensure they could present the idea to investors. This unit builds on the knowledge from units 1 and 2 ensuring that students use their business knowledge to develop a business plan in line with their own interests. During the unit we will be visited by business people and start up specialists who will guide students through the process of developing a winning business plan.

Unit 19 The Marketing Plan

This unit will continue the student’s journey towards becoming a young business person. They will take their business idea and develop a marketing plan to launch and develop the business. This will take students beyond the planning stage into deciding how to ensure their products or services are attractive to customers.

Overall the course will build a young business person who is familiar with the economic environment in Bristol and the UK, who understands how businesses operate and grow.

Trips

Due to the nature of the qualification students will go on several trips to enhance their studies. Previously these have been to Bristol Zoo, Cadbury’s and Drayton Manor. We are always keeping our eyes open for companies to use as case studies.

Mathematical calculations are required everyday in the use of money, the planning of projects and throughout household and business budgeting. Tables, charts and graphs are widespread in the presentation of information, from bus and train timetables to sales brochures and business analyses. An understanding of lengths, shapes and angles is required for all aspects of architecture, design, construction and manufacturing. To add to this, the use and application of equations and formulae are crucial within banking, IT, business planning and engineering. The Mathematics Curriculum Area is committed to the teaching of these skills in an engaging and motivating manner.

Key Stage 3

The mathematics curriculum is delivered through a programme of “rich tasks”. These are a range of practical activities that are designed to stretch students’ understanding of key mathematical concepts through exploration, investigation and discussion. This approach encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject through their planning of a systematic approach, their use of reasoning and calculation skills, and the communication and presentation of their learning / understanding to their peers.

Key Stage 4

Students consolidate and develop their mathematical understanding whilst studying towards the AQA Mathematics GCSE. This qualification is delivered through three modules of learning – Number, Data Handling and Shape / Algebra. These are assessed through examinations at the end of each module. Currently the first two modules are studied and examined during Year 10, with the final module completed at the end of Year 11.

Students use IT extensively in their learning within the Mathematics Curriculum Area. A wide range of interactive resources are used to provide stimulating learning, with almost all of these using visual representations to help students develop their understanding of key concepts. Students regularly have access to laptops to encourage independent learning, and the Mathematics Curriculum Area subscribes to several mathematics internet sites to allow students to complete independent learning, consolidation and self-assessment, either within school or at home.

Co-curricular

The Mathematics Curriculum Area offers co-curricular activities to students throughout the Academy. Maths in Motion, an IT based programme focussed on the planning and racing of grand prix cars is offered to KS3 students, whilst extensive revision and exam preparation sessions are offered to KS4 students.

Useful links and resources:

• mangahigh.com - a free games-based maths teaching resource
• mymaths.co.uk - provides online homework tasks
• nrich.maths.org – resource designed to develop subject knowledge, problem-solving and mathematical thinking skills
• supermathsworld.com - provides online interactive maths challenges

Key Stage 3

All students in KS3 have a 65 minute lesson per week where they develop their transferable skills, such as group work, speaking, listening and presentation skills.  They learn about different theatre styles like Greek Theatre, Commedia Dell’Arte,  Melodrama and Pantomime.  They study a Shakespeare play, such as ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘The Tempest’ and the Elizabethan theatre.

In Year 7 we use drama techniques to address such issues as bullying and friendship, whereas in Year 8 we do the same with responsibility, joyriding and teenage runaways.

Students are assessed on three areas in Drama: making, performing and evaluating. This covers planning and rehearsal and the contribution to group work, development of acting skills and their evaluations of their own and others work.

Performance is an important and fun part of this subject!

Key stage 4

In KS4 our students can opt into a one year BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Performing Arts, equivalent to one GCSE, or a two year BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts, equivalent to two GCSE awards. BTEC is a vocational course and, with that in mind, is designed to prepare the students for a career in the Performing Arts. They study theatre history and theatre styles from different times and cultures, including Medieval theatre, Realism and Musical Theatre.

The course gives students the opportunity to plan and create their own productions, tour a show to local primary schools and develop their skills in the production side of the Performing Arts.

In KS4 the students are continually assessed. The focus lies on the development of specific acting skills such as voice and movement, as well as group work skills and the design and construction of costume, set and props.

Careers

Studying Drama and the Performing Arts is a great way to develop abilities in giving presentations, working effectively as part of a team as well as specific skills in acting and production. As such it is an ideal starting point for a number of careers including acting, directing, singing and dancing, as well as teaching, community arts work, administration, publicity, advertising and public relations.

Co-curricular

As well as offering Drama as a curriculum subject, the department also produces a whole school musical which is open to any student in any year group. Recent productions have included ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Seussical the Musical’ and ‘Grease’. We also run lunchtime and after school drama clubs to increase the opportunity for students to work together outside of class time and prepare work for performance to invited audiences or for year group assemblies.

Links

We are very fortunate to have recently developed a strong link with The Tobacco Factory and have already hosted a visiting theatre production with another planned for November.

We participate in the START programme at The Egg Theatre in Bath, which allows each student in KS3 to attend 3 productions per year and take part in an accompanying workshop with actors involved in the play they have seen.

Useful links and resources:

• Performing Arts news and employment – http://thestage.co.uk
• Stage Works – http://stageworks.co.uk – information on the various roles and job opportunities in the theatre.
• Khake – http://khake.com – an excellent resource that covers all of the Performing Arts.

Here at Merchants’ Academy we aim to provide opportunities for students to be creative, competitive, co-operative and take on different challenges as individuals and in groups and teams. We promote positive attitudes toward healthy and active lifestyles in the hope that students will continue to participate into adulthood.

Students will be challenged to learn how to think in different ways to suit a wide variety of creative, competitive, co-operative and challenging activities. They will learn how to plan, perform and evaluate actions, ideas and performances in order to improve their aptitudes, abilities and  preferences. They will also make choices about how to get involved in lifelong physical activity.

Merchants’ Academy seeks to provide a full, varied and interesting Physical Education curriculum which challenges, engages and excites staff and students alike. We see Physical Education as a vital part of the education experience as a whole.

Aims and Objectives

The PE curriculum will aim to create: successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve; confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives and responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.

Alongside this the PE curriculum will aim to develop students’ competence and confidence, enable all students to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity and allow pupils to develop personally and socially.

KS3 Programme of Study

In Years 7 and 8, students will study a wide range of activities including: Identity; team work and leadership through multi skills; performance and success in games; tactics and strategies in games and developing responsibility and leadership.

In Year 9, students will be encouraged to choose an appropriate activity pathway allowing them to develop their skills and begin to make decisions about their areas of interest. This will enable students to make a smooth transition between KS3 and KS4. The pathways available are as follows:

• Health, Fitness and well-being (NB. all students must choose this pathway at least once)
• Performance and skill development
• Creative movement
• Strategies and tactics
• Leadership and problem solving

KS4 Programme of Study

The KS4 programme of study in PE will allow students to make informed choices about the type of activity that they choose to study.

In Year 10 and Year 11 students will choose activities from five different pathways that will enable them to pursue their interests, develop their skills and improve their health and fitness. Groups will usually be single sex and opportunities for study off-site will be encouraged and promoted where possible. Students must study at least two different pathways each year.

Activity Pathways

• Performance, strategies and tactics
• Health, Fitness and well-being
• Leadership and coaching
• Leisure and Recreation
• Creativity and Aesthetics

BTEC Sport in KS4 and KS5

Students have the opportunity to study the following courses in KS4;

• Level 2 BTEC extended certificate in Sport (equivalent to 2 GCSE grades at A*-C)

Students have the opportunity to study the following courses in KS5;

• Level 3 BTEC certificate in Sport (equivalent to 2 A level grades at A*-C)

Co- Curricular Activities

Merchants’ Academy prides itself on its excellent reputation and record in PE and sport. As such we run a wide variety of co-curricular clubs on an open-access basis. Students are not penalised for non-attendance but sports teams are usually selected from those who attend co-curricular clubs. Inter-House competition is offered in all year groups culminating in Sports Day. An Awards Evening takes place as an annual event to celebrate achievement and success.

Trips and visits to relevant sports events locally and further afield, such as Wembley Stadium, are well received and planned for the future.

A full list of co-curricular activities and trips and visits will be available soon.

Useful links and resources:

• Merchants’ Football Academy
• BBC Sport – http://bbc.co.uk/sport
• Guardian Sport – http://guardian.co.uk/sport
• Sky Sports – http://skysports.com
• Olympics – http://london2012.com
• Brian Mac – http://brianmac.co.uk – great for BTEC sport

Course outline

Students are offered the opportunity to study music from a variety of stylistic and cultural origins. Students perform, compose, improvise and appraise in varied genres, using instruments, voice and ICT software. Topics covered in Key Stage 3 include: World Music (Africa, China, Indonesia, Jamaica, India, Brazil), Blues, Music for TV & Film, Song-writing, Hip Hop, Development of Rock, Theme & Variation, Ground Bass, and Minimalism.

Students can opt to study BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Music (1 year) or BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Music (2 years). Currently, there are 15 students studying music in Year 11, 15 in Year 10 and 22 in Year 9.

Students can also receive peripatetic instrumental/voice tuition and there are three formal music concerts throughout the year. Additionally students are involved with composition projects at Colston Hall and collaborate with other organisations, such as St. George’s and Churchill School. The Academy choir also perform at Charter Day in Bristol Cathedral. Further opportunities to perform occur throughout the year in open-evenings, Community Day and assemblies.

Trips

Students have had the opportunity to attend a DJing exhibition in the NEC, Birmingham, watch the English National Opera perform ‘The Magic Flute’ in London and have watched concerts at St. George’s and Colston Hall. Other interactive learning include visiting groups and orchestras and musicians also come in to perform and provide educational workshops.

Useful links and resources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/ - New music, groups, artists and DJ’s

http://www.musicroom.com/ – to purchase sheet music and music books

http://www.djmag.com/ – information on DJ’s, DJing and equipment

http://www.livemusicnow.org.uk – gives young people opportunities to work as a musician.

Key Stage Three

At KS3 students have five lessons of Humanities a fortnight where students are taught topics relating to geography, history and RE. The topics studied are varied and offer students a new perspective on the world around them. Throughout Year 7 and 8 students will look at units such as ‘My Place’ which incorporates the historical development of Bristol as well as the geographical aspect of its location and the links between the two. Also covered are a variety of historical events that have shaped the world we live in today as well as geography topics that look at natural disaster, tourism and the environment and sustainability. Students will also study a variety of RE units which aim to broaden students’ knowledge and experience of other faiths and cultures. Students are encouraged to reflect on and explain their own beliefs and the way that impacts their lives.

Key Stage Four

From September 2011 all students in Year Nine and upwards will be offered a Humanities option to sit at GCSE level.

GCSE Geography

OCR Spec A j380

The geography GCSE is a proven successful course which is aimed at making geography relevant to students and allowing students to be assessed using methods that they excel in from web page creation to film making! Fieldwork involved in the course is currently local but we are looking to develop fieldwork further afield and linking this with Travel and Tourism, history or MFL.

GCSE History

OCR History A: Schools History project j415

History GCSE gives students the opportunity to study Medicine Through Time, Nazi Germany and either Terrorism or a local historical study. History currently involves local fieldwork and allows students to experience and investigate the subject first hand. We would like to develop fieldwork further afield and linking with Travel and Tourism, geography or MFL.

GCSE/Entry Pathways Humanities

WJEC

This is a new course which will start in September 2011 and involves students studying aspects of geography, history and RE. It cover topics such as population, extreme climatic events and social change throughout the 1950’s and 60’s as well as including topics on religion and moral issues. As the course is developed more detail will follow.

GCSE Religious Studies / Short Course Religious Studies

Year 9: Students in Year 9 study a range of topics including spirituality, Buddhism, Christianity, and Muslim festivals. A key aim in the Christianity and Islam units is to provide a link with the GCSE short course.

Years 10 and 11: Students at KS4 are able to opt to study a full GCSE in RS (OCR).  This is a modular course; students take an exam in May of Year 10 on Christianity.  The Year 11 exam is on Islam.  Topics include beliefs, festivals, rites of passage and worship.

BTEC Travel and Tourism

This is a new course which started in September 2011 and involves using a wide range of skills which prepare students to work in one of the fastest expanding sectors of industry. Jobs and careers range from; airlines to tourist boards, theme parks to heritage sites, travel agencies to cruise lines, airport management to tour operators and travel retail. Knowledge and skills will come from studying the tourist industry both locally and globally, from what attracts people to certain areas, to what is needed to be provided to ensure that tourists are satisfied. The course will also be supported with trips and visits to enable students to see the theory in real life.

Key Stage Five

Again, subjects taught within the Humanities umbrella are vital to the Group Three ‘Individuals and societies’ sector within the International Baccalaureate. We teach both History and Psychology as part of this curriculum area within the IB. These subjects will help students with the ‘International’ element of the IB where they will be able to develop a greater appreciation for the world around them, how they fit into it and peoples’ opinions. The History course encourages students to gain a deeper understanding of the present world by looking at the significance of events that have taken place over the last 100 years, considering history from a local, national and international perspective. Topics currently include: Tsarist Russia; the Russian Revolution; the Cold War; Europe between World War One and World War Two; and wars throughout the 20^th Century.

History at IB level gives students a solid foundation whether they go onto university or into a job. It can provide them with the ability to communicate effectively and also helps to develop analysis, evaluation and ability to understand the world today. Students who study history have gone onto careers in law, education, health care, social work, journalism, business, management, tourism, heritage, archaeology and politics to name but a few!

Useful Links

Revision Sessions for Extreme Environments

GCSE Bitesize – Geography Videos

Cheerleading is a performance sport that incorporates elements of dance, jumps and stunts. Everyone is welcome to join but must show commitment, and be a good role model for other students in the academy. Isabella Worlock is the team captain; whose involvement is integral to the organisation and morale of the team.

The current team competed in a National Competition in June 2011 and came 1^st in School Cheer Level 2, and 3^rd in Junior Level 2. The team will be attending more competitions throughout the new academic year, with new routines and will also be performing at academy events.

The Dance Academy is Merchants’ Academy’s official dance team who explore all styles of dance whilst maintaining a central focus on hip hop. The Dance Academy train twice a week, often more when events or competitions are approaching.

Being a member of the Dance Academy means students are given the opportunity to perform in a number of school events. They are already scheduled to perform routines for the whole school drama production in February, which is sure to showcase a variety of different dancing styles.

The Dance Academy are currently looking for new members to join the competition group who will be going to Brighton in December to compete in the UDO hip hop school championships. If interested please see Miss Selby in the dance studio who will be there every Tuesday after school.

Key Stage 4

At KS4 all students follow a BTEC level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care. This course is the equivalent to 2 GCSEs grades A*-C and is currently assessed through 100% coursework.

Sixth Form

At Sixth Form, students are also given the opportunity to follow the BTEC level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care as well as the BTEC level 3 National in Health and Social Care. Again this course in currently assessed through 100% coursework and is the equivalent of two A levels.

Some of the units which students get the opportunity to study over the course of the two years include: Ensuring safe Environments; Creative and Therapeutic Activities; The Impact of Diet on Health; Complementary Therapies; Dementia Care and Dealing with Challenging Behaviour.

Work Experience

Both Health and Social Care courses offer students the opportunity to explore what it is like and what it means to work within a Health and or Social Care setting. Students are given the opportunity to look at, visit and listen to guest speakers who all successfully practice within this field. As part of their studies, students will be given the opportunity to carry out work experience placements in a range of Health and Social care settings and use the knowledge gained here to feed into their coursework.

Subject Aims

The aim is for students to learn languages in personal or situational contexts of relevance and to develop their understanding through involvement in a variety of activities including paired and group work. Significant emphasis is given to the productive and oral use of language to promote the maximum sense of enjoyment, confidence and achievement for each student.

Skills

The skills examined in languages subjects are speaking, listening, reading and writing:  students must learn how to extract information from a variety of contexts and sources using their ability to understand meaning from context and key words. They need to acquire and assimilate new vocabulary and grammatical structures on a regular basis and become independent and self-disciplined learners.

A large amount of the GCSE course (60%) is now based on the productive skills (speaking and writing) so students must attain a confident level in producing the foreign language.

More advanced activities within topics require higher levels of understanding in listening and reading. A greater competence in speaking requires a more creative and flexible use of vocabulary, structures and idiom.

Higher levels of writing require a more extended study of the structure of language so that students can begin expressing themselves in various different formats and registers.

Trips and Exchanges

We currently run an annual Christmas markets trip for KS3 students and this has proved to be very popular and successful. We hope to continue this trip and develop more trips to France, Spain or Italy in the future to help students to develop their language skills and to experience the rich cultures of the countries they visit.

We also have a link with a school near Barcelona and we host a visit by KS4 students from the Spanish school every September.

All students have the opportunity to acquire pen-pals from Europe and we encourage them to write letters or emails to them to practise their language and to make friends with young people their age.

Co-curricular

Throughout the year there are opportunities to study extra languages after school or to attend coursework catch-up and intensive revision sessions.

Edexcel BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in IT

Unit 1

The aim of this unit is to enable students to use IT tools to communicate and exchange information safely, securely and effectively with different audiences. Students will also consider the impacts of IT on society, businesses and individuals.

Unit 2

The aim of this unit is to ensure that students have knowledge of the available job roles involving professional IT and the characteristics employers demand in the IT industry. This unit will also prepare students for more general job application in their future.

Unit 17

The aim of this unit is to give students knowledge of how websites function and an understanding of their purpose as business tools. Students will then develop the skills required to design and create a multiple page website.

Unit 23

The aim of this unit is to give students knowledge of the hardware and software used to generate and manipulate computer generated images. Students will then acquire the skills to produce computer graphics and use them to enhance documents. Students will be taught to use different software to manipulate computer images and also be instructed in the different types of hardware used to capture images.

Edexcel Level 3 National Diploma in IT

This qualification is worth 3 A2 levels and will build on knowledge developed during Year 10 and 11. Students will have the opportunity to learn about IT support, build their own computers from scratch, install and upgrade software and use high level graphic and web design. This qualification provides a solid base for any student wishing to enter a career in IT.

The units currently taken each year are under review and an update will follow shortly.

Please see your ICT teacher / login to the VLE (Moodle) for further resources.

Key Stage 3

At KS3, all students will follow a varied curriculum, including opportunities to read a variety of texts from all over the world, writing fiction and non-fiction for real audiences, speaking and listening tasks and even acting on stage. Because no two classes are the same, the following are just some examples of what students may study in KS3: advertising and persuasion; Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan; poetry from other cultures; journalism and BBC School Report; film openings and media terminology; Myths and legends; Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet compared to adaptations on film; travel writing; war poetry.

Key Stage 4

All students follow English at KS4. Most students will study both English Language and English Literature, leading to a dual GCSE award. Students currently follow Edexcel and the curriculum’s reading list is wide, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth, An Inspector Calls by JB Priestly, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Students will also write for a variety of audiences and situations, from persuasive speeches to creative stories. Students are assessed in three ways: controlled assessments throughout years 10 and 11; formal and informal speaking and listening tasks; three examinations –one is taken in Year 10 and two in Year 11.

Teachers always provide extra support and help after school whether students need to revise for an upcoming exam or hone their grammar and writing skills.

Students also have the option of following a BTEC in Creative Media Production. This level 2 course gives students the opportunity to create real-life media productions in realistic settings. All students study communication and research in creative media production. Two additional units are chosen based on the interests of the students and teachers. In the past these units have included video production, where pupils create their own music videos and audio production. This course is for highly creative people who work well both in groups and independently. Students must be motivated and willing to lead people in a group.

Key Stage 5

Students in KS5 may wish to follow Language A: Literature as part of the International Baccalaureate. Language A: Literature is primarily a pre-university course. It is aimed at students who intend to pursue literature, or related studies, at university. Through the study of a wide range of literature, the Language A: Literature course encourages students to appreciate the artistry of literature and to develop an ability to reflect critically on their reading. This course is offered at both higher and standard levels; therefore, the choice of texts varies. Students can expect, however, to study the following: works in translation, a detailed study of a particular author’s style, a detailed study of a particular genre and a free choice of texts chosen by teachers and students. Students are assessed through oral presentations, written commentaries and examinations.

Co-curricular

Students may wish to continue their studies after school by attending co-curricular activities. In the past, these activities have included writing an electronic Academy newspaper, debating club, creative writing clubs and cinema club. The teachers within the English Curriculum Area are committed to providing students with enjoyable activities relating to English. If we do not currently have a club you may enjoy, we will make one for you!

Take a look at our literacy section for tips on getting into reading.

Useful Links

Steinbeck – Of Mice and Men