Welcome to Year 8
Welcome back
Welcome to Year 8! Now that you know your way around KWS and have settled in, this is a fantastic year to build on all the great things you started last year. You know how to get everywhere, who to ask for help, and how things work — now it’s time to really make the most of it.
This year is a great opportunity to solidify the friendships you’ve made so far and to keep making new ones. Look out for each other, be kind, and enjoy being part of our KWS community.
Year 8 is also the time to start thinking ahead about the subjects and options you might want to choose next year — explore what you enjoy, work hard, and ask lots of questions. Keep striving to do your best both in and out of the classroom, and remember that we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We can’t wait to see you continue to thrive academically and socially this year. Let’s make it a brilliant one!
Miss Patterson
KWS Expectations
All students should be Ready, Respectful and Responsible. These 3Rs guide our students on how to conduct themselves in their learning and how to interact with students and staff.
Our school values of Knowledge, Wellbeing and Success are key to the character development of our students and how they can achieve personally and academically.
Tutor Team
| 8Al | Mr Matthew Timberlake |
| 8Ar | Miss Aimee Noe |
| 8Fr | Mrs Ramona Coman |
| 8Ke | Miss Lauren Longstaff |
| 8Ni | Mr Raman Khalsa |
| 8Te | Miss Deanna Christou Mrs Samita Saini |
Year Group Team
| Mrs Tara Patterson | Head of Year 8 |
| Ms Deana Baker | Student Support Officer |
| Mr Garry Jones | Head of KS3 |
| Mrs Abigail Grainger | SLT Link Y8 |
To find out more about the Year 8 Pastoral Team please see our Staff Profiles here.
Curriculum in Year 8
The curriculum year 7 and 8 students follow is outlined in the diagram to the right.
Details of the curriculum studied in each subject in Year 8 can be found on the Curriculum Pages of the website here
If you would like more detail, please do ask your child to show you the student site and/or google classroom for each of their subjects – this provides access to each lesson and associated resources along with knowledge organisers (KOs) for topics studied.
Careers Education in Year 8
Students will have one form time per week dedicated to the ‘World of work’, as well as undertaking a PSHE unit, enhancing their knowledge of Unifrog. All students in Year 8 will have the opportunity to hear from / work with a provider of apprenticeships / technical qualifications from the local area. Students will also have opportunities to meet with visitors from industry, should they wish to. Students in all year groups will also take part in careers based lessons in all subjects during KWS Careers month in March.
Home Learning in Year 8
Home learning expectations are outlined here and additional enrichment tasks can be found on each of the subject’s curriculum pages – do encourage your child to dive into some of these.
Super Curriculum in Year 8
Students have the opportunity to select Period 7 and clubs three times a year, in September, December and March. Choices will be sent home for review and discussion a few days prior to choices being made in form time, guided by their tutor. Period 7 is still organised into three blocks across the year, and includes body options and various performing arts groups. Students will continue to be provided with a large range of other opportunities across the year, such as those outlined here
Dates to note for Year 8
All our key events are on the school calendar which can be viewed here and should be reviewed in detail.
Some to note for Year 8:
- Trips and in school activity days are planned throughout the year.
- Reports will be issued 20th November, 5th February and 2nd July.
- Parents Evening is scheduled for Tuesday 10th February.
- KS4 Options are selected in the later half of the Spring term, supported by Options Evening on Tues 27th Jan and the above mentioned parents evening.
- Exams Week is 8-12 June.
- Activities week will run (inc. some trips and sports day) from 22-26 June.
Your first port of call in school is your child’s form tutor, please do get in touch with them via email if you have any questions or concerns. Please be aware of agreed protocols for such communications here.
