1. YEAR 7 HANDBOOK
Telephone:
96 142 41 74
Email:
Secondary-secre@caxtoncollege.net
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

2. KEY STAGE 3
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK
WELCOME!
Dear Parents:
Fourteen subjects, new teachers, lockers, changing class for every subject…
these are some of the new features in this stage of your child’s education.
Apart from the obvious structural changes, Secondary education is a great
personal challenge for all students.
Their academic progress, personal
growth and learning are as much a group effort as an individual one.
On one hand the student has to learn to do his/her daily work, but on the
other hand the interaction with his/her year group in class, in the
CONTENTS
Secondary Educational
System ......................... 2
IPad Project ………………………..3
Tutorials ........................ 4
Assessment & Reporting......5
Progression Policy ………………..6
playground, on school trips, Sports Day or Athletics Day is essential to help
Subjects ........................ 7
him/her to grow and develop qualities such as solidarity, companionship, and
Complementary Activities....22
Extra-Curricular Activities..23
maturity.
Homework.......................23
Your child will be working within the reward system during Years 7, 8 & 9
(Key Stage 3) and here I would like to ask for your help and support. There is
more information about this in the school’s “Welcome to Secondary”
handbook. All the work which we do here in the school, especially in the
area of discipline, is much more effective if we are supported in the home.
Thank you for all your cooperation and welcome to Secondary.
Mª Carmen Moreno
Head of Year 7
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK
Timetables......................24
School material.................25
Transport........................25

3. THE SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Secondary Education in Caxton
College covers 3 key stages as follows:
important stage in their education,
lasting 2 years.
 “Key Stage 3” (Year 7 to Year 9)
Caxton College is a recognised
examination centre for the University
of Cambridge examination board
(CIE) as well as the Edexcel London
Board. In Year 9 students sit IGCSE
ESL (English as a Second
Language), so that they can focus on
the EFL (First Language English)
exam for IGCSE throughout Years 10
and 11. In Year 11 pupils sit their
IGCSE exams (International General
Certificate of Secondary Education),
thereby enabling them to obtain the
Certificate of ESO in the Spanish
system (Certificate of Obligatory
Secondary Education).
 “Key Stage 4” (Year 10 & 11)
 “Sixth Form” (Year 12 & 13).
This period covers the teenage years
of our students (from 11 to 18 years
old), which is why we consider this to
be the ideal time, not only to instil in
them good study habits, but also to
make them responsible for their own
actions and decisions, to show them
how to make the best use of their
leisure time and, of course, to try to
mould them into better people.
At this time, the tightly-linked
cooperation of teachers, parents
and students is essential. As a
result of this collaboration between
the school and the home, our students
obtain excellent results with which to
apply for University, while, on the
way, they grow into excellent
individuals.
"Accept responsibility for your actions,
and adopt a healthy
attitude to life”
In Key Stage 3 (Years 7—9),
students must study all the subjects in
the British Curriculum and they must
pass them in order to progress onto
the following year.
The IGCSE exams are a very
important part of our students’
education. Access to Sixth Form
depends on their grades from Year 11.
At present, in order to gain access to
Spanish Universities, students
submit their A Level grades as well as
those obtained in 2 extra Spanish
subjects which are chosen by the
students themselves, depending on
the career they wish to follow in the
future.
In Year 10, students start their 4th
and final obligatory key stage, a very
Spanish System
British System
6º Primaria
Year 7
1º ESO
Year 8
2º ESO
Year 9
3º ESO
Year 10
4º ESO
Year 11
1º Bachillerato
Year 12
2º Bachillerato
Year 13
Cycles
Public Examinations
KEY
STAGE 3
KEY STAGE 4
SIXTH FORM
IGCSE ESL
IGCSE
AS level/
Advanced level
2
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

4. PROYECTO IPAD
In Caxton College our aim is to always be at the forefront
of education, and we constantly strive to offer the highest
quality teaching and learning methods.
The introduction of new technologies has had a very
positive effect on our students, allowing them to
experience interactive activities and to develop their
potential as individual learners. IPads are used as an
alternative tool for learning, with teachers carefully
choosing the most appropriate method for the topic in
question: textbooks, oral discussion in class, or the use of
kindles. In addition, iPads allow the students to learn in
any place and at any time, and thus enable them to share
their knowledge in a variety of ways and with a wide
range of people.
We have recently launched Project 1:1 iPads for students from Years 7 and 8, which means that every child
in these year groups will bring their own iPad to school. The iPads are used in all areas of the curriculum
with the aim of encouraging the students to take more responsibility for their own learning, to develop
creativity and improve teamwork.
Students from Year 9 to Year 11 regularly work on the school iPads (we have two fully-equipped trolleys for
this purpose, with 26 iPads on each), which can be used for different purposes: Students can film
performances and presentations in order to self-assess their work; make their own films (using iMovie) at
the end of a topic, use the Pages app to develop their ability to create texts, and even carry out scientific
experiments with them.
Some of the positive changes that we have identified in our students following the introduction of the use
of iPads as an education tool are as follows:
 They are more committed to their own learning, more motivated and willing to work harder.
 Their levels of self—confidence and attitude towards their own learning have improved.
 They are able to finish a greater number of tasks and reach higher targets than those predicted.
 They are responsible for their own iPads.
 The iPads allow them a greater freedom of choice, and thus, a greater sense of responsibility
regarding their work.
 They face up to challenges and use their own reasoning and skills to solve problems.
We are really looking forward to continuing this exciting and challenging journey on the iPad Project!
3
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

5. TUTORIALS / COMMUNICATIONS VIA THE WEB
2. During tutorials, students learn Public Speaking skills,
give talks and hold debates.
They will also receive career guidance and learn study
techniques.
3. The school web page now includes a private area for
parents, where they can send and receive emails, follow
their child’s Progress List which is updated weekly, see
term grades and receive documentation such as
handbooks, talks from the Psychologist and other items
of interest.
1. The students have the help of a tutor throughout
Secondary school. Students meet their tutor first thing
every morning.
The tutor is responsible for monitoring individual
students and, holds one-to-one interviews with them
periodically to give them any support or advice they may
need.
As well as the meetings with tutors held by the school,
parents can always request a personal interview to talk
about their child’s progress whenever they wish.
Personal & Social Education
At school great importance is placed upon the personal
development of our pupils, as this is the basis of everything
they will do in the future.
PSHE:
Year 7 students attend a weekly class in Personal, Social,
Health Education. This is a time for thought and for
personal and group work, following a programme of
“Education in Values”.
Solidarity in the Classroom:
In addition, in school students take part in the Programme
“Solidarity in the Classroom” created by Fundar, the
Foundation for Solidarity and Volunteer work in the
Valencian Community.
The activities contained in the Programme are designed to
instil values such as good relations, tolerance, cultural
diversity and voluntary work with the aim of making the
whole educational community more aware of, and
committed to, these values.
4
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

6. ASSESSMENT & REPORTS
In Year 7 there are three assessment periods. At the At the end of the year, all pupils who fail to achieve at
end of each one, parents will receive a report with the least a grade C in any subject will be required to sit an
grades achieved by their child in both academic exam in August.
performance and effort.
Grades:
In all subjects taught in English, teachers assess using
National Curriculum criteria, as occurs in all British
centres abroad. These are then converted to a Caxton
grading scale from A to E.
Please note that the grades A—E will often feature a +
or – sign to indicate a student’s position in relation to
the actual criteria, and provides better differentiation
among the students. For example a C+ would indicate
There are exams at the end of every term, and final achievement heading in the direction of improvement
exams in the third term in the core subjects. They towards the next grade, whereas a C- serves to
make up 20% of the final year grade in the illustrate that the student is falling short of a grade.
British subjects, and 10% of the year grade in
the Spanish subjects.
<<<Examinations and Tests

 If a student misses an exam or tests, they
date knowledge and to gain an objective pic-
must provide a medical certificate. If not,
ture of a child’s progress.

Exams are very important in order to consoli-
they will receive a zero mark.
They also prepare students for future external
British examinations.

 If a student has an unjustified absent the
day before or the day of an examination,
Parents should bear in mind that students may
not repeat examinations except in very serious
they will not be allowed to sit the exam,
and they will receive a zero grade.
or exceptional circumstances. We recommend
that you do not plan any family trips or other
activities which would oblige your child to miss
any school days.
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

7. <<<Criteria for Progression from Year 7 to Year 8
A pass grade at this
level represents grades
A to C
Students will only be allowed
may consist of a project to be
to progress to the next year
handed in, instead of an exam.
with a maximum of one subject
failed.
Special consideration will be
given to foreign students in
In order to sit subjects failed in
their first year in the school as
June,
regards Spanish and Social
there
evaluation
at
is
the
a
re-sit
end
of
Sciences.
August.
Students can only re-sit exams
during the August evaluation
with a maximum of 3 subjects
failed.
If a student has failed more
subjects, a panel of teaching
staff will decide whether the
student will be able to repeat
the year or not.
In some subjects, the re-sits
In addition:
Students must demonstrate an
adequate level of study skills,
behaviour
and
effort
for
entering the following year
group.
<<<Monitoring of “At Risk”
students
From the first term, students will be monitored
by subject teachers and the relevant Head of
Department if they have been identified as
failing in a subject. They will be set specific
targets for improvement.
Those students who are failing in a number of
subjects will also be monitored by their Head of
Year.
Parents of these pupils will be contacted
periodically during the term in order to give
added feedback on their child’s academic
development in a particular subject area.
If, during the term, a student shows
measurable signs of improvement, he/she will
no longer be monitored and can work
independently.
Private Classes >>>
If your child has a private tutor for any subject, we
recommend that you let his/her tutor know. This helps to
build up an understanding of your child’s commitment
and approach to learning.
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

8. SUBJECT INFORMATION
From Years 7 to 9 students study
 Religion or Ethics
the following subjects:
 Science
 English Language & Literature
 Career
 Mathematics
Skills
(Personal
Development)
 A Foreign Language (French or
German)
 Physical Education
 PSHE (Formación Humana)
 Art, Music & ICT
 Spanish Language & Literature
 British History and Geography
 Spanish History & Geography
ENGLISH>>>
Head of Department: Stephen Miller
First Term
Non-fiction:
Autobiography
Poetry: Pen Rhythm
Second Term
Prose: Holes
Drama: The Terrible Fate
of Humpty Dumpty
Non-fiction: The News
Non-fiction: The
Environment
Drama & Media
End of Year Exams
Writing reviews
Assessment Policy: Assessment is ongoing throughout the
year, both in class (through conversation, drama, essays etc)
and by means of homework.
There are regular core assessments for the year group, as well as
an end-of-year exam, which is worth 20% of the final grade.
Homework: Homework is given once a week and students
are expected to spend approximately 35 minutes on it.
All students are expected to read two extra books in English per
term. These may come from the library, home or be bought
(the school will recommend books). Students will complete a
book review for each book read. This should be signed by parents.
Third Term
Web Pages:
www.bbc.co.uk/KS3bitesize/english
www.revisionaid.co.uk
www.channel4.com/learning
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites
Recommendations:
How to help with reading: Students should have access to
books or magazines in English and develop the habit of reading
them. When you watch films at home, try to watch them in
English with subtitles in English, this will improve your child’s
reading ability and comprehension.
 Remember that talking about reading is very important, so
discussing a book will also help to develop their reading comprehension skills .
IPad Project: Ipads will be used with the aim of improving
listening comprehension, speaking fluency in English and pronunciation. The apps that the students will use are: Key Note,
Pages, Showbie and iMovie.
Keep reading time relaxed, comfortable and pleasurable; a
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 8
As your child progresses, talk about authors, characters,
quiet place, with the television turned off is best.
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

9. themes and plots or what new information has been learnt .
If your child reads silently ask him/her to re-tell the part that
has been read and encourage the 'pointing out' of relevant
sections in the text.
If your child has hobbies and interests, encourage him/her to
read about these in English.
Helping with written homework:
Always ask your child if they have checked punctuation,
grammar and spelling in his/her written homework.
Encourage your child to use a dictionary when doing homework. This will help to check spellings and to broaden their
vocabulary.
A thesaurus can also help your child to broaden and vary his
or her vocabulary .
English books: Bookfairs are held in the school several times
a year, and there are reading books available in the school
shop and in the library.
English courses abroad: Many parents have opted to take
or send their son/daughter to England during holidays. This
has immense benefits for the development of the use and understanding of the language in a range of contexts.
The school can advise you on the best courses for your needs,
based on the information we have on courses abroad which we
have experienced personally.
MATHEMATICS>>>
Head of Department: Kevin Worthington
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Percentages.
Sequences & Functions
Rules of Algebra, Simplifying, Formulae,
Equations.
Decimals, Directed Numbers,
Estimation, 4 Rules.
Lines & Angles, Coordinates.
Symmetry Reflections, rotations &
translations.
Length, Perimeter & Area, 3D
Shapes, Surface Area.
Tally Charts, Grouped Frequency.
Pie charts.
Fractions and Decimals, Adding,
Subtracting and Equivalent
Fractions.
Rounding, BODMAS, Four Operations,
Long Multiplication, Long Division.
Multiplying & Dividing Decimals. Using
a calculator. Fractions & percentages of
quantities.
Averages and Range, Statistical
Diagrams, Probability.
Squares & Roots, Triangle Numbers, Naming Graphs.
Solving Equations, Formulae, Real-life
Graphs.
Polygons. Tessellations. Constructing 3D
shapes.
Polygons.
Ratio & proportion.
Homework: Homework will be set once per week and should last
about 30 mins. In addition, pupils are encouraged to set aside some
time over the weekend to go over their work and highlight any
problems.
Web Pages:
www.myimaths.co.uk
www.channel4learning.com/apps/homeworkhigh
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revision
Assessment Policy: Assessment through homework and
classwork will take place continually throughout the year. Exams
take place every term and the end of year exam is worth 20% of the
final grade.
Recommendations: Each student will have a practice book
which should be used on a regular basis alongside the main text to
help support and reinforce their learning. This resource is
invaluable in preparing for end of unit exams. Parents should check
pupils’ work regularly, sign any internal tests and make sure pupils
have the correct mathematical equipment.
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 8
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

10. SCIENCE>>>
Head of Key Stage 3: Nicola Porch
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Cells
Solutions
Forces
Particles
Reproduction
Differences
Energy
Electricity and magnetism
Chemical Reactions
Classification
*Order may vary within year group.
Homework: Homework will be set
once a week.
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle:
8
Assessment Policy: There will be
one summative assessment during
each topic.
These are the
assessments that form the term
grade. The end of year grade is an
average of the three term grades +
end of year exam (20% of total).
Recommendations:
IPad Project: Students will use
their iPads daily as if they were a
textbook.
They will carry out
experiments and analyse the results
afterwards.
They can access
interactive Periodic Tables using the
iPads and use apps to measure
v o l u m e , a n d t h e d i f f er e n t
wavelengths of sounds, etc. The
apps they will use are: GoogleDrive,
iMovie, iMotion HD, Keynote and
Pages.
 Pupils should not leave their
revision to the last minute.
 It is important that the pupils use
their KS3 Revision Guides as
much as possible to support the
work they are covering in class.
 It is important to use both the
textbook and their notebooks to
revise from.
 Doddle Learn and Caxton Tic are
excellent
summary
quizzes.
resources, full of
presentations
and
T he re
is
a
“Sc ie n t ific
Experiments”
workshop
available during clubs time on
Wednesdays.
Web Pages: We recommend
visiting the following sites. :
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/
ks3bitesize
www.school.discovery.com
www.scifun.chem
9
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

11. <<<Forming Groups in the Core British Subjects
Teaching groups in the Core Subjects:
With the aim of addressing the needs of all our students,
and maximising their academic potential, the core
British subjects English, Maths and Science are
organised in flexible class groups which do not
always correspond to their tutor groups.
The main characteristics of these groups are:
All the groups follow the same curriculum
They all sit the same exams
The teachers use different pedagogic styles.
The three subjects have different policies which are
Science
outlined below.
In Years 7 to 9 students are taught in tutor groups.
English
However, in Years 10 and 11 there are two high
In English, Years 7—9 have 2 support groups, with a ability groups, where students have achieved A or
maximum number of 10 students in each, which high B grades the previous year.
allows for more intensive support. The rest of the
pupils are distributed in groups of different mixed Maths
levels.
From the moment students start in Secondary, they
The support groups are decided within the are taught in ability groups according to the
department, and are based upon different criteria:
following criteria:
 In Year 7:— the information provided by their In Year 7: information provided by their Year 6
Year 6 teachers, including the results of KS2
teachers, taking in to account work and internal
SATs.
and external assessments done during the year.
 In Year 8 & 9:— data from previous years, In Year 8, 9, 10 & 11: internal assessment data,
including internal assessments, teachers’
teacher observations and end of year exams.
observations and end of year exams.
Students in all groups will all use the same
 In Years 10 & 11:— the results of the ESL
textbooks.
external exam from year 9 are taken into
account.
10
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

12. SPANISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE>>>
Head of Department: Mar González
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Unit 1: Descriptions;
Unit 5: suffixes;
Unit 9: Arguing;
Root words & suffixes;
Verbs III;
Predicates;
Texts;
Poetry
Biographies
Unit 2: Narratives;
Unit 6: suffixes;
Basic words and
derivations;
Verbs IV;
Unit 10: Taboos &
euphisms;
Literary genres
Predicates II;
Stories
Types of sentences;
The novel
Poetry
Unit 3: descriptions;
Prefixes;
Verbs V;
Verbs
Unit 11: Colloquialisms &
common expressions;
Unit 7: Suffixes;
Fables
Reports;
Comedy in Drama
Unit 4: prefixes II;
Unit 8: Sentences;
Verbs II;
Myths & Legends;
Unit 12: Borrowed words,
technicalities & coining new
words;
Informative leaflets
An opinion piece
Tragedy in Drama;
Creating a blog
Homework: Once a week. It is
important for the work to be
supervised at home.
Assessment Policy: This subject
will be continually assessed by
means of regular tests on what is
taught in class.
As well as this,
classwork, projects, etc. will be
graded. All of these grades go to
make up 75% of the term grade, with
the remaining 25% being awarded
for essays written as homework.
There will be an end of year exam,
which is worth 10% of the Year 7
end of year grade. The final grade
will be the average of the three term
grades, plus the final exam grade.
IPad Project: iPpads will be used
to help students gain a more
thorough understanding of the
subject (in the areas of vocabulary,
spelling, summaries, and searching
for information). The apps used will
be: digital textbook, Blink, RAE
dictionary, Pages, Keynotes, iMovie,
Showbie, Inspiration and Prezi.
Web pages:
 Real Academia de la Lengua:
www.rae.es
 Caxtoncollegetic
(learning
platform)
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle :
8
Recommendations:
 Consult the Caxton tic web page
regularly;
 Read your own books at home and
hand in book reports to your
teacher;
 Study and revise regularly at
home in order to develop good
study habits.
11
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

13. SOCIAL SCIENCES>>>
Head of Department: Mª Carmen López
First Term
Early civilisations
Second Term
Life in Rome
Third Term
The Iberian Peninsula in
Ancient Times
The legacy of the Greeks
Homework: Homework will be set
once a week.
www.wikipedia.es
www.educahistoria.com
Assessment
Policy:
evaluations plus final exam.
three
 Within each evaluation period there
will be several tests: the average
mark, along with the grades given to
homework and/or class projects, will
add up to the final evaluation grade.
 End of Year grade: Will consist of
average of all three evaluation
periods plus the end of year exam
(10% of total).
Web Pages: Nowadays there are a
large quantity of web pages about
History and Geography. Below we
highlight some of them, which cover
general topics. For specific topics,
students can consult their text book,
and in every unit we refer them
to interesting and useful pages,
related to what they are
studying.
ww.artehistoria.com
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 3
Recommendations: In this subject
the pupil has to understand and
comprehend the subject, not just
memorize the course content. In this
way the student can establish links
between the different concepts.
Projects should be carefully prepared
during the time allocated and NOT the
day before.
12
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

14. RELIGION/ETHICS>>>
Students are free to choose one of these subjects, but
they will not be allowed to change once the year has started.
Religion>>>
Head of Department: Almudena Cózar
Course Content: The aim is to teach students the essence of the Christian message, both from a theoretical as well as a
practical point of view. Students will learn basic prayers as well as the content of the textbook.
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Our need to believe
Looking to Jesus
Committing to the Mission of Jesus
Discovering other religions
Learning to love like Jesus
Looking to the Virgin Mary
Believing in Jesus
Jesus can save us
Living in hope
Homework: to be handed in once a week.
Web pages:
Assessment Policy: This subject will be assessed depending
on a final Project to be assigned by the teacher. Furthermore,
homework, classwork (both individual and group work), and
the study of basic prayers will add to the grade. The pupil’s
participation and attitude will also add to the final grade.
www.enciclopediacatolica.com (reference page)
It is important for students to realise that not handing in the
project means they will fail the subject.
IPad Project: IPads will be used not only to support the
textbook, but also to learn more about other religions, the
Bible, history and religious traditions. The Apps to be used are:
Blinklearning, Numbers, Keynotes and Inspiration.
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 2
Ethics>>>
- Most important religions of
the world

Developing debating
skills
Recommendations:
Students need to remember that
Religion is not just a subject but also a way of life, therefore the
pupils’ education should be shared with the families, and
reinforced through discussion of topics at home, practising
basic prayers, etc.
Note: In Years 10 & 11, Catechesis in preparation for the
Confirmation is taught outside the school timetable, after
5.00pm. In order to be allowed to attend, students should have
attended Religion classes since they started their Secondary
education.
Head of Department: Almudena Cózar
First Term
- Rules & fairness, rights &
Responsibilities
www.anayadigital.com
Second Term
Third Term
Communities & identities
Being a global citizen

Living together in
communities



Developing research
skills
Homework: Required once a week, which usually consists of unfinished class work.
Assessment Policy: The evaluation consists of handing in a project to be set by the teacher. Apart from the
project, the work during class time and homework will be
evaluated. Participation and the pupil’s effort during les-
sons will also add to the final grade at the end of the
term.
Images of rich and poor
countries in the world
The impact of tourism
It is important for students
to realise that not handing
in the project means they will fail the subject.
Web pages: When appropriate, the teacher will inform
the pupils about the most interesting pages they should
visit for each topic they cover in each lesson .
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 2
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

15. PSHE / CAREER SKILLS >>>
The aim of these subjects is to develop the ability to see things from another’s point of
view, express feelings and desires, and to accept and comprehend others.
Students also learn healthy eating habits and reflect on the dangers of the Internet.
PSHE (Formación Humana>>>
First Term
Head of Department: Carolina Cebrián
Second Term
Third Term
Study techniques
Food & Nutrition
Desires and Needs
Learning how to Listen
Qualities of a good friend
Moral Dilemmas
Rumours
Self-control
How to appreciate Others: Praise
Good Relationships: Empathy
Coursework: We will follow the in-house PSC exercise
handbook
Homework: to be handed in when set, on the day that they
have class.
Assessment Policy: The work during class time and
homework will be evaluated. It is important for students to
realise that not handing in the project means they will fail
the subject.
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 2
IPad Project: IPads will be used to prepare projects and
work such as role-plays. The apps to be used are: iMovie,
Showbie, Prezi and Pages. Also, students will study values
such as tolerance and diversity using the app “Vivir los
Valores” (Living Values).
Career Skills>>>
First Term
Head of Department: J J Wisden
Second Term
Third Term
Form Representative Elections–
Speeches from candidates
Careers introduction– hopes and
dreams for the future, research
Study skills– organisational skills, and presentation task
time management
Government and Politics–
Introduction to Public Speaking,
students create their own political
debate, discussion around
parties, take part in debate and
different topics including bullying
public speaking in front of the
and respect
year group
Learning basic First Aid
Skills– presentations by
students on different
skills
Target setting and review
of the year
Assessment: Students will be assessed on their ability to
engage in public speaking activities, contributions in class
and from their workbooks.
-Students will be focusing on different issues within society
that they can debate and discuss- then form presentations
around these issues.
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 2
-To focus students on what they would like to do in the
future (Careers)
-Students will be encouraged to take on leadership roles
within the lessons, taking on responsibilities, motivating
others and being a positive role model within the class, year
group and the whole school.
-Students will also be concentrating on effective study skills,
time management, organisation and revision techniques.
Homework: Will be set over the course of the term.
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,
do more, you are a leader."- John Quincy Adams
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK
14

16. MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES>>>
As well as the other languages the school offers to complete their education,
Year 7 students can choose a third language: French or German.
French>>>
Head of Department: Cathy Desbois
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Greetings and Introductions
The city: directions
Sports
Numbers and Months
Hobbies
Hobbies
School Items
School
Musical instruments
Home
Subjects
Holidays
Family
Daily routine
Pets
Homework: Students will be assigned
homework once a week, which will
normally consist of reviewing class
theory (grammar o vocabulary) or a
reading or written assignment .
for information on the internet when
necessary and using linguistic web
sites.
In addition, students will
download specific apps for this
language.
Assessment Policy: Class work,
consisting of the student’s written work
(Workbook) and oral participation, will
be assessed during the whole term and
will account for 50% of the term grade.
The other half of the assessment will
consist of a combination of writing,
reading, listening and speaking.
Web pages:
IPad Project: IPads will help the
students to broaden their knowledge of
the language, but more importantly,
they will serve to practise it in an
educational and original manner: to
record conversations, work on roleplays, mini performances, making
posters and presentations, searching
www.languagesonline.org.uk
www.linguascope.com (see teacher
for login code).
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 4
R e c omme n dation s: S t ud en t s ’
continuous effort will ensure progress
in this subject; thus the importance of
completing homework (about 30
minutes weekly), of constantly revising
and memorizing the theory seen in
class (vocabulary, spelling, grammar,
etc).
We would also recommend
regular reading at home.
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

17. German>>>
Head of Department: Melissa Baxter
First Term
Greetings
Introductions
Numbers
Where you live
Alphabet
Pencil case
Dates time
Instructions
School
Food & Drink
Opinions
Uniform
Homework: Students get one homework task per
week, usually either a learning task (grammar or
vocabulary) or a written task.
Assessment Policy: Class work, consisting of the
student’s written work (Workbook) and oral
participation, will be assessed during the whole term
and will account for 50% of the term grade. The
other half of the assessment will consist of a
combination of writing, reading, listening and
speaking.
IPad Project: IPads will be used to share work (for
warm-up activities, homework, etc). The apps to be
used are: Showbie, Pages, Keynote and German
Dictionary App.
Web pages:
Second Term
Family
Pets
Descriptions
Sport
Hobbies
Third Term
Home
Rooms
Furniture
Town
Food & Drink
www.atschool.eduweb.co.uk/haberg/
reallyusefulge
www.linguascope.com (see teacher for login
code).
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 4
Recommendations: Please support our teaching
staff by monitoring your child’s homework: learning
should be done frequently over the week for short
spells (5 minutes per day) with necessary attention to
spelling; also, it must be noted that a written
homework should take between 20 and 30 minutes.
Students can attend a German conversation
club on Wednesday afternoons if they wish.
www.germanfortravellers.com
www.languagegames.org/la/german.asp
“The sum of human wisdom is not
contained in any one language.”
- Ezra Pound, ABC of Reading
16
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

18. ART>>>
Head of Department: Liz Edwards
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Ensuring success when working
from observation – Natural Forms
Essential techniques to enable
pupils of all ability levels to
understand how to really look at,
and visually record, the world
around them. This is based on the
technique known as ´Drawing on
the Right Side of the Brain´ as
described by educationalist Dr
Betty Edwards.
The Art of the Far East
Pupils will encounter Arts and
Crafts from an Eastern culture
(either China or Japan)
learning from them to develop
new skills and different
approaches in both 2 and 3
dimensions. Becoming aware
of the influence that these
cultures have had on the
history of Western Art.
Cubism, Colour & Contemporary Portrait
Sculpture
Pupils will investigate Cubism and study the
portrait artwork of Pablo Picasso and
Georges Braques. Using these artist
influences, pupils will develop their own 2
dimensional Cubist portraits and then hone
their skills in colour blending, tracing,
cutting and composing, to create a 3
dimensional Cubist portrait sculpture.
Homework: Homework is set every two weeks and a
list of the required tasks should be found attached to the
inside back cover of pupil sketchbooks.
Assessment: Assessment takes the form of teacher,
peer and pupil’s self -assessment on a regular basis. This
will be verbal as well as written; “Assessment for
Learning” is an integral part of every Art lesson.
The awarding of A- D grades for attainment reflects the
extent to which pupils meet the expected British KS3
levels for their age group, with a C grade or above
indicating that they are meeting the required level.
objects in a matter of seconds, extended studies of
subjects in their environment (at the beach or waiting for
an appointment, for example) as well as notes made in
Art galleries, inspirational thoughts, quotations, poetry,
films, music etc.
An awareness of all the applied Art in our everyday lives
(jewellery, advertising, fashion, architecture, road- signs
etc) should be encouraged.
Web pages: (for artist research):
www.the-artists.org
www.artcyclopedia.com
www.finesite.webart.ru
www.tate.org.uk
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 3
Recommendations: The habit of carrying a small (A5)
sketchbook around on a regular should be encouraged; it
enables pupils to respond to stimuli from real life
observation. This can include impressions of moving
17
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

19. GEOGRAPHY>>>
Head of Department: Jo Mattingley-Nunn
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Mapping Skills
Floods
Rivers
Earthquakes & volcanoes Shopping
Homework: 1 per two-week cycle. Homework may be longer, combined tasks.
Assessment Policy: Tests after each unit and a continual
assessment over a range of tasks.
IPad Project: Students will use iPads to carry out research
on projects, and to make presentations. The apps to be used
include: Skitch, Google Earth, Popplet, iMovie and Showbie.
Web pages:
Geography of sport
www.metoffice.com
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/11_16/site/
geography.shtm
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 3
Recommendations: Encourage your child to use the Internet in a constructive way, both for homework and for keeping
an eye on geographical events. See the websites for reference.
www.esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/
animations
HISTORY>>>
Head of Department: Jeanette Nugent
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
What is History? An introduction
to historical skills.
War in the Middle Ages
The power of the King in the Middle Ages
Introduction to the Roman Empire
The Norman Conquest
What was life like in the Middle Ages?
Did people love or hate living in
the Roman Empire?
Castles
Homework: Homework will be set once a fortnight and will
normally involve 30 minutes work. It may involve a range of
different activities. If a student fails to produce homework on
time a note from parents must be produced stating the reason
for this.
- www.schoolhistory.co.uk
Assessment Policy: At KS3 there are a number of formal
assessments throughout and at the end of the year . These will
assess students’ knowledge to some degree but will focus primarily on the skills that they have learnt throughout the term.
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 3
History is less about memorizing dates and terms and more
about using historical skills effectively. The assessments are in
line with the English National Curriculum for History.
Web pages:
- www.bbc.co.uk/history
- www.historyonthenet.com
- www.historylearningsite.co.uk
Recommendations: All students
are encouraged to take an active interest in history in a number of ways. This may include being
taken to historical sites, watching historical films and documentaries and talking to family members about historical
events and people.
In addition, the reading of newspapers is useful, as it helps
develop some historical skills such as source evaluation and
interpretations.
- www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

20. ICT (INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY)>>>
Head of Department: Stephen Neville
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Internet Awareness/Safety
3-D Modeling
Touch Typing
Creating a Blog
Animation and Movie Making
Game Design
PowerPoint presentations
Researching and Graphing
Microsoft Office
Applications
Homework:
Pupils will
occasionally, when necessary.
receive
Students in all years
will learn to integrate
computer applications
developed on the
computer and export
and edit them on their
iPad devices.
homework
easily stored and carried around and not expensive
ones).
Assessment Policy:
There will be continual
assessment throughout the year. At the end of the year,
the grades will be calculated as follows: 20% of the final
grade will be for ICT theory, 20% for touch typing skills
(with an end of year typing exam) and 60% for project
work.
- Children should be encouraged and made aware of
technology and technological advancements around
them to keep them up to date with an ever changing
society. They should be encouraged to use computers as
a means of developing and enhancing their research and
communication skills.
IPad Project: Students will learn to transfer
information between the iPad and the computer by
means of Gmail and Google Drive. In addition, they will
use the following apps: Keynote, Pages and Numbers.
- Touch Typing (Keyboarding) Skills: Typing is a
great method to introduce students to computer literacy
and to improve their interaction with the computer. We
use touch typing software called “Typing Platinum”
which emphasises both accuracy and speed in typing.
There is a special emphasis on touch typing so that by the
end of Year 7 students will be familiar with the correct
body and finger posture and learn the letter positions on
the keyboard. The students should be able to type letter
sets
at
10
words
per
m i n u t e
(WPM).
Web pages:
- www.caxtoncollegetic.com/caxton
- www. teach-ict.com
- www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize
- www.greenfast.org
- www.scratch.mit.edu
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 3
Recommendations:
- We recommend that all Year 7 pupils have a set of
headphones ( preferably small ones which are more
19
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

21. MUSIC>>>
First Term
Head of Department: Gerry Paci
Second Term
Third Term
Elements of Music
Form and Structure
Instruments of the Orchestra
Rhythm and Pulse
Exploring Scales
Exploring songs & Singing
Homework: Homework is given every two weeks and is
based on the topics studied in lessons at the time. Students
are given a homework sheet for the term that displays all
homework where the teacher puts the grade and effort to
enable parents to view their progress.
Assessment Policy: Listening and appraising musical
extracts, performing their own work and that of others and
composing are assessed through class work, homework &
regular written tests. Both individual and group activities
are assessed.
IPad Project: Students will use GarageBand to improve, by
means of sequences and multitracks, their ability to
compose. In addition, they will learn the techniques
necessary to create keyboard, percussion and stringed
instruments. The use of an IPad will allow students to
maximise their creative potential.
Web Pages: The internet is required to complete some
homework. Other web pages to help students are:
www.bbc.co.uk/
northernireland/
schools/4_11/music/mm/
orchestra01.shtml
Nº of classes per 2-week cycle: 3
Recommendations: The music room is available at
specific lunch times to practise on the class instruments.
Students are able to join extra music clubs to help develop
both performance and group skills. The music teacher is also
there to help students with any queries or doubts they have
about the subject.
“The effects of good music are not just
because it is new; on the contrary music
strikes us more the more familiar we are
with it”. - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music
PHYSICAL EDUCATION>>>
First Term
Head of Department: Sheryl Howells
Second Term
Third Term
Invasion Game 1
Invasion Game 2
Invasion 3
Net Wall
Gymnastics
Striking & Fielding
Fitness
Dance
Athletics
Swimming
*Order may vary within year group, depending on availability of facilities.
Assessment Policy: At KS3 each activity is allocated 5/6
lessons per unit.
P.E. Kit: We insist on all students wearing the Caxton P.E.
uniform of:
The end of year grade is the average of each term. It is
expected that students will achieve at least a B grade.
- polo shirt,
Number of lessons per two-week cycle: 6
- white sports socks
- shorts or tracksuit bottoms,
20
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

22. - Suitable sport trainers (no Converse trainers).
It is advised that students wear an undershirt or Caxton
tracksuit top on colder days and bring a towel to shower
if the activity requires it.
 If the correct kit is not available for any reason we
require a note of explanation and other appropriate
sporting clothes should be brought. This will be noted as incorrect kit, but the student will not receive a
low level until 3 incorrect kits have been accumulated.
lesson they should still change into kit and be involved as much as possible, taking the role of referee
or leader. This will help maintain the professional
atmosphere of the class and keep students who are
unable to take part physically engaged and learning.
Recommendations: It is advised that students
should take part in regular, continuous physical activity
3 to 5 times a week for a minimum of 20-30 minutes to
maintain a healthy lifestyle.
 If a pupil is unable to take part in the lesson we require a note. Notes should be written and signed in
the student’s diary on the day of the lesson.
 If a student is unable to take part in the physical aspect of the
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”
- Michael Jordan
VALENCIAN LANGUAGE>>>
Head of Department: Pilar Tortonda
First Term
Second Term
Third Term
Lectures: A l’Albufera, El
tresor del castellet de Rel,
El meu cotxe teledirigit.
- Vocabulari: Els elements del paisatge, Les
festes populars, Els menjars de Nadal.
-Lectures: Oda als peus, Pesca amb Martell, Els personatges de l’andana.
- Vocabulari: Les parts del cos, Les parts
d’un teatre, El port.
-Lectura: El tresor de les pirámides.
-Vocabulari: Els vehicles de motor.
-Ortografia: Accent agut i greu, Accentuació
de les paraules agudes, Accentuació de diftongs.
-Gramàtica: Les llengües d’Espanya, El diccionari, El nom: gènere i nombre.
-Ortografia: Accentuació de les paraules
planes, Accentuació de les paraules esdrúixoles.
-Gramàtica: El grup nominal, Diftongs i
hiats.
-Ortografia: L’accent diacrític, L’apòstrof.
-Gramàtica: Els graus de l’adjectiu, Els
determinants.
-Expressió oral: Els viatges, Contar una faula,
Les festes.
-Expressió escrita: La faula, El reportatge, La
narració de misteri.
-Expressió oral: Els mitjans de comunicación, Les aficions i els gustos.
-Expressió escrita: La narració
d’aventures, L’auca.
-Expressió oral: Els acudits, Un esdeveniment esportiu.
-Expressió escrita: L’escena de teatre,
La crónica esportiva.
Assessment Policy: Continual assessment of classwork
throughout the year plus regular testing (twice a term).
Number of lessons per two-week cycle: 4 one-hour
classes every month.
JQCV (official Valencian organisation).
Recommendations: Students should be encouraged to
read in Valencian and to try to practise the language
whenever they can outside school.
Web Pages: In the page www.cult.gva.es/jqcv it is
possible to ask questions and do mock tests approved by the
21
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

23. <<<Complementary Activities
Drama
Special Days:
Throughout the course, students will be
given the opportunity to attend a variety
of dramatic performances, some of them
given by professionals, and others by the
Drama Club which runs during ExtraCurricular Activities.
Book Day:
In addition, the college puts on whole
school theatre productions for pupils at
specific points during the academic year.
Professional theatre companies are
invited into school on a regular basis. The
productions are in either English or
Spanish. The productions are a valuable
resource for a number of subjects across
the curriculum.
Talks by Guest Speakers
School Trips
The school encourages pupils to develop
their friendships and social interaction
beyond the school day. One of the most
important events in this respect is the
Year Trip. This experience enriches the
sense of companionship and promotes the
group ethos, not only amongst pupils, but
also with regard to the relationships
formed between students and teachers.
Campaigns
Throughout the year different campaigns
are held to promote values amongst the
students such as solidarity, respect,
tolerance towards other nationalities and
cultures and good relationships in the
school.
Games Day, Athletics Day
& Swimming Gala
The PE department arranges 3 InterHouse sports competitions during the
year. “Games Day” primarily consists of
team sports, such as Football and
Basketball, etc.; whilst “Athletics Day”
comprises Field and Track disciplines.
On International Book Day all students
and staff take part in a collective 10
minutes of silent reading of an English
text.
At certain times in the year, guest
speakers are invited to give talks on
various topics of interest to the students.
Prize-Giving Event
In mid-June, there is a Prize-Giving
Evening for students from Years 7 &8,
where their academic achievements as
well as their efforts are celebrated. Each
subject department awards a diploma to
those students who have obtained the
highest marks in their subject, or made
the best effort this year.
Clubs Activities:
Teachers offer several Workshops so that
students can further their knowledge in
certain subjects, such as: Conversation
clubs in French and German, ICT
workshops or Scientific Experiments.
These are held during clubs time on
Wednesdays, from 3.15 to 4.50 pm.
The Choir (“Sound Lab”), meets almost
every lunchtime in the Music Room.
House System:
The House system at Caxton College is an
essential part of the school community
and provides friendly but fierce
competition for all to get involved in. All
students and teaching staff are allocated
to a House and join in with great
enthusiasm in the challenge of leading
their house to victory. More detailed
information can be found in the “Welcome
to Caxton” handbook.
The students can also take part in a
variety of events in the Swimming Gala,
both individual and group. On all of these
days, pupils will have the chance to
demonstrate what they have learned
during PE lessons.
22
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

24. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Training Healthy
Adolescents
Education is not only about the transmission of knowledge,
but also about the formation of values, habits and customs.
For this reason, we offer a wide range of extracurricular
activities on Wednesday afternoons, including sports, artistic
and academic activities. All students in this Key Stage should
enrol in one of these activities as part of their comprehensive
education.
Students who do not participate in an
extracurricular activity will have to do supervised private
study, including homework.
In May you will receive all the information you need in order
to enrol. Activities begin in September and end in June.
Those students who study Valencian Language will do this
during clubs time.
HOMEWORK
At Caxton College homework is an important and integral part of the
learning process. It:

Provides an opportunity for staff and pupils to check knowledge
and understanding.

Consolidates learning.

Develops and makes demands upon an individual student’s selfdiscipline, as well as important study and research skills.

Provides extra practice of work done in class.

Encourages family involvement in children’s learning.
Organisation at home
All pupils will be issued with a homework timetable at the beginning of the academic year. Subject teachers will set
homework according to this timetable and the agreed formula for each subject. Additionally, we recommend that students devote at least 2 hours a week to those subjects which they feel require more attention.
Sample of Year 7 homework timetable:
MONDAY
WEEK A
WEEK B
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Maths
Spanish
English
Science
Social Sciences
Music
History
Art
English
Maths
Geography
PSHE
FRIDAY
French
or
German
Religion
Science
Or
Spanish
Ethics
23
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

25. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
<<<Timetable
 We recommend that students should be in their tutor room at 9.20 am.
 The students have registration and notices from 9.20 am to 9.35 am.
 The lesson periods are 45 or 50 minutes long. Throughout the week, students may have double periods (100
minutes) in some subjects.
 Lessons finish at 4.50 pm and the buses leave at 5 pm (see School Day below).
 The students have 25 minutes for morning break from 11.10 to 11.35, and 70 minutes for lunch, from 2.05
to 3.15 pm.
 Detailed timetables are given to students at the beginning of the academic year.
 The students follow a two-week timetable, “Week A” and “Week B”:
TIME
ACTIVITY
9:20—9:35
Registration with tutor
9:35-10:25
Period 1
10:25-11:10
Period 2
11:10-11:35
Break
11:35-12:25
Period 3
12:25-13:15
Period 4
13:15-14:05
Period 5
14:05-15:15
Lunch
15:15-16:00
Period 6
16:00-16:50
Period 7
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YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

26. <<<School Material
All students will need:
 Pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, etc.
 A 30 cm ruler
 1 compass
 1 protractor
 1 scientific calculator (we recommend Casio FX-85ES or a similar
model provided it has the “replay” function).
 1 pen-drive of 2 Gb
 Exercise books (available in the school shop)
 An iPad, minimum size an iPad 2 with 16 GB memory, is
recommended to take notes and use in class when the teacher
allows it.
Textbooks may be purchased through the school.
They are charged separately and in some cases are
used for two academic years.
Exercise books are available through the school
since they are personalised for our centre.
The fee for school material in Secondary is designated for general school resources and includes the
cost of laboratory and art resources and photocopies.
It does NOT cover the costs of individual materials.
<<<School Transport
For Secondary students to go
home alone from the school
bus stop, written permission is
needed from their parents.
Bus changes will not be permitted since the buses are
filled to capacity.
However, a student will be permitted to make his or her
own change from bus to car by requesting this change in
Reception. This will not require parental permission.
25
YEAR 7 HANDBOOK

27. YEAR 7 HANDBOOK