Welcome to Year 8
Welcome back
Welcome back to KWS! You are officially moving up, you know exactly how the school works, and you are no longer the youngest faces. I am so glad to be continuing as your Head of Year and to be working alongside you for another great year ahead. Now that you are fully settled in, it’s time to build on that brilliant foundation and push yourself further. I really want to challenge everyone to dive into a wider variety of lunchtime clubs and Period 7 activities this year—stepping out of your comfort zone is the single best way to discover new interests and expand your circle of friends.
This is also a massive year for your future, as you’ll be selecting your GCSE subjects towards the end of the year. Keep a close eye on the lessons that truly get you excited, fuel your curiosity, and make you want to learn more. Work hard, aim high in everything you do, and never forget that the tutor team and I are right here to back you up every single day. Let’s make Year 8 an absolute standout year!
Mrs Stockwell
Web based systems to support students at KWS
All systems selected provide the best functionality to run our processes efficiently. Each of the key systems and their uses are outlined here.
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 Lawrence |
| 8Ar | Ms Lau |
| 8Fr | Mr Church |
| 8Ke | Mrs Rauniyar |
| 8Ni | Miss Alexis |
| 8Te | Mr Bowsher |
Year Group Team
| Mrs Stockwell | Head of Year 8 |
| Ms Dam | Student Support Officer |
| Mr Jones | Head of KS3 |
| Mrs 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 12th November, 4th February and 2nd July.
- Parents Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 10th February.
- KS4 Options are selected in the later half of the Spring term, supported by Options Evening on Tuesday 26th January and the above mentioned parents evening.
- Exams Week is 14-18 June.
- Activities week will run (inc. some trips and sports day) from 28th June-2nd July.
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.
