2

Page Contents

3 Moving from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 and Testing
4 Curriculum Pathways
5 Stretch and Challenge
7 How does the Curriculum differ at KS3
8 Key Stage 3 at Tring School
9 English
11 Maths
13 ICT
14 Science
16 Religious Education
17 Art
19 Drama
20 Life Skills
22 History
23 Physical Education
24 Music
26 Geography
27 Design and Technology
28 German
29 Spanish
30 French
31 The Student Support Team at KS3 in Tring School
33 Useful contacts
34 How to use the Tring School Planner
35 Homework
36 How can I keep in contact with the school?
37 Progress Reports
38 Rewards and Sanctions
39 Acronyms

3
Moving from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3

What are Key Stages?

The National Curriculum is organised into blocks of
years called Key Stages. Your child has already
completed Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 at primary
school. The start of Key Stage 3 is at the beginning
of Year 7. They finish Key Stage 3 at the end of
Year 9 and start Key Stage 4 when they begin their
GCSEs in Year 10.

Testing at Key Stages

In May, Year 6 students took tests in English and Maths. We therefore
have SAT results as well as teacher predictions and assessments to help
us create a curriculum that suits the students needs.

Every year group has examinations in all subjects that take place in the
Desborough Hall or in the lessons during the examination week. We
examine all students formally once a year in order to prepare them for
the formal examinations at Key Stage 4 (GCSE). You can check when
your childs examinations take place on the Parent Calendar on the
school website.

Before the examination period you will be sent a guide with advice on
how to help your child revise and prepare for the exams. As well as this
they will have Life Skills lessons helping them prepare and revise, which
includes a sessions with a company called Elevate, who specialise in
delivering study skills ideas.

Students are also assessed (roughly once a half term) informally in
lessons. You can find out more about this later in this booklet, or by
contacting the class teacher.

In Year 10 and Year 11, your child will sit formal examinations called
GCSEs. These examinations will determine which pathway your child will
take post -16.



4
What happens with the results of the examinations?

The test results from Key Stage 2 are available to Tring School over the
summer holidays. This data is then given to all of our class teachers so
that they can see what level each and every child is working at when they
come to us.

We put all students onto pathways, depending on their ability, from the
first day on September using Key Stage 2 teacher assessments and the
SAT results. Students can move between pathways depending on their
progress throughout the year.

Setting in the pathways at Tring School is flexible. Students are put into
the set that the department feels will meet the students needs, but the
sets are constantly reviewed after assessments within each department.
Students may be moved up or down a set depending on how they are
coping with the work in that subject.

How is the data used when going into Key Stage 4?

As with the transition from Key Stage 2 to 3, information is gathered
about the students using teacher assessments and the formal
examinations at Key Stage 3. Students will be setted in some subjects at
Key Stage 4, including optional subjects where it can be arranged.

Curriculum Pathways at Tring School

We create individual curriculum pathways for all the students who come
to Tring School in order that we can meet their needs.

We realise that a traditional curriculum does not suit all children and so
some students are given a different diet.

When they arrive in September, some students will study Humanities
rather than History, Geography and PRS (Philosophy and Religious
Studies). This is taught by one teacher and although it follows a similar
curriculum to the discreet subjects, it will be taught and assessed
differently. The same students will also be given a programme of Key
Skills, which concentrates on improving literacy. This replaces their
language lessons.

5
Stretch and Challenge

At Tring School, we are dedicated to raising aspirations for all students
by encouraging them to broaden their horizons, stretch their
knowledge and understanding, and we ask them to set themselves
challenging goals, both in and out of lessons.

In all subjects, Stretch and Challenge tasks will be set and students
will be able to identify this by S&C on the power point or learning
resource that they are using. These tasks are for all students to have a
go at if they wish to or if they complete the main activities.

Some Key Definitions

AMA Academicall y Most Able

At KS3 and KS4 AMA students are identified through KS2 data and
students attainment comparative against national statistics.

G&T Gifted & Talented

The identification of high ability in a particular subject area. Students
who are Gifted & Talented may not appear on the AMA register. It is
likely that they have a particular flair for one or maybe two subjects.
Students on this list are nominated by their subject teachers and they
are monitored by the subject representative. A record of their tracking
and monitoring is also kept centrally by the G&T Coordinator.

Provision for AMA & G&T Students

We aim for AMA students to have a termly meeting with a Learning
Mentor where they complete an Individual Challenge Plan (ICP). The
ICP will help students to identify areas of strength and areas for
improvement. We will aim to encourage students to focus on
transferrable skills to improve in some subject areas and suggest
enrichment activities for areas of strength. Students will also set
targets in this meeting; one for lessons and one for out of school.
These targets are aimed at raising their attainment but also at
improving enjoyment in a wider range of subject areas and broadening
their horizons outside of the classroom.

6
G&T students are identified within a subject area and both extension
and enrichment tasks are set by subject teachers. These may include
work from a Key Stage above, lunch time clubs, mentoring of younger
students in that subject, differentiated work for lessons and for home
learning. Where possible, students may also be able to enter
competitions within the school and with other schools in the Dacorum.

How can you help?

We are always looking to improve the provision of Stretch & Challenge
for our students would gladly welcome your feedback. Please send an
email to lmonger@tring.herts.sch.uk

7
How does the curriculum differ

at Key Stage 3?
An emphasis was placed at Key Stage 2 on literacy and numeracy.
However the following subjects were compulsory:
Science
Design and technology
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
History
Geography
Art and design
Music
Physical education
At Key Stage 3, the following subjects are compulsory:
English
Mathematics
Science
Design and technology
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
History
Geography
Modern foreign languages
Art and design
Music
Citizenship
Physical education
Schools also have to provide:
Careers Education and Guidance
Sexual Health and Relationship Education (SHRE)
Religious Education
8

Key Stage 3 at Tring School

At Tring School we provide a curriculum that meets the requirements of
the National Curriculum, but we also try to match the individual needs of
our students.

As well as providing the entitlements of the National Curriculum, we also
have a programme of Personal, Social and Health Education that we call
Life Skills. Life Skills deals with topics such as healthy eating, peer
pressure and support, and gives advice through our sexual health and
drugs education programmes.

As we are a faith school, we also include
Religious Studies as part of our curriculum,
however parents can choose to withdraw their
child from all or part of the Religious Education
curriculum and the non-statutory elements of sex
and relationships education that is part of our
Life Skills programme. They must however, put
this in writing to the Head Teacher.



All students will do the subjects that are compulsory during their time in
Key Stage 3.














9

English

What equipment will my child need to
make the most of English lessons
during KS3?

Dictionary/thesaurus
Fully stocked pencil case
Highlighters
Glue
Reading books at home


What will my child study?






Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Novel: Private
Peaceful or The
Hobbit

Dickens: A Christmas
Carol

Shakespeare: A
Midsummer Nights
Dream

Multi-skills project:
Fairtrade

Genre study:
Heroes

Genre study: Sci-fi
Novel: Animal Farm
or Hunger Games or
Tins

Shakespeare: Macbeth

Genre study: Suspense

Speech making and
Anal ysis:
Making Your Point

Modern Play: Blood
Brothers

Poetry: Poetry from Other
Cultures

Shakespeare:
Richard III

Novel: To Kill a
Mockingbird or Prince
Of Mist.

Play: An Inspector
Calls

Fact and Fiction:
Globalisation

Exam skills: Information
and Ideas
10
How can I support my child through KS3 English?
Complete the parent comment section of your childs
assessment records. These will be in a booklet at the back of
the exercise books with the assessments. Two assessments
are completed each half term.
Encourage your child to read a wide range of texts and genres:
novels, short stories, news articles, film reviews. More
importantly, ask them to discuss, summarise or evaluate what
they have read.
Help your child to re-read and edit their work to encourage
proof reading.
Help your child use new words to develop a wide vocabulary.
Encourage the use of a dictionary and thesaurus.
Practise spelling; use errors teachers have flagged up in their
work - each assessment record has a space to record three
spelling errors to focus on.
Introduce them to classic texts such as novels/plays by
Dickens, Carroll, Conon Doyle, Shakespeare or Tolkien.
See Moodle for reading lists recommending books that are
suitable for KS3 students.
Take your child to the theatre - many local theatres put on
great productions which are cheaper than in London.
Encourage your child to back their points and engage in
debates.

How will they be assessed in English during KS3?
There are two formal assessments per half term, both of which are
marked with a KS3 level and target for improvement.
Students are provided with an assessment record booklet to
complete post-assessment and there is also a box for parental
comment.
Peer and self assessment takes place through questioning and
class work.
Assessments of speaking and listening skills are ongoing informally
through lessons but student also complete formal speaking and
listening assessments for during the year.
There is also an end of year test for each year group.

Head of English Mrs J Shelley
Key Stage 3 Coordinator Miss K Guy
11

Mathematics
What equipment will my child need in
Mathematics during KS3?

Pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, compass, angle
measurer, scientific calculator

What will my child be studying?



Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Mathematical processes and applications:
Representing
Analysing- using appropriate mathematical procedures
Interpreting and evaluating
Communicating and reflecting
Number:
Place value, ordering and rounding
Integers, powers and roots
Fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and proportion
Number operations
Mental calculation methods
Written calculation methods
Calculator methods
Checking results
Algebra:
Equations, formulae, expressions and identities
Sequences, functions and graphs
Geometry and measures:
Geometrical reasoning- lines and angles
Transformations and coordinates
Construction and loci
Measures and mensuration
Statistics:
Specifying a problem, planning and collecting data
Processing and representing data
Interpreting and discussing results
Probability
12
How can I support my child through KS3 Maths?

Ensure they have the right equipment for lessons
Ensure they do their homework
Visit websites such as www.mymaths.co.uk which is useful for
students of all levels


How will they be assessed in Maths?

Students are assessed regularly throughout their time
at Tring School. There is a formal assessment
approximately once every half term. Other
assessments might be in the form of a series of
questions, an activity or homework.

In general assessments are designed so that
students know which topics they need to improve on
whilst also allowing teachers to monitor the progress
of groups and individual students.



















KS3 Coordinator Mrs J Mitchell

13
ICT

In Year 7, ICT will be delivered as a discrete subject for 2 hours per fortnight.

In Years 8 & 9 ICT will be delivered across the curriculum.

What equipment will my child need in ICT?
A pair of earphones
A personal email address

What will Year 7 ICT syllabus cover?
Project-based approach.
Investigative learning.
Designing and developing simple games.
Variables.
Algorithms.
Debugging.
Bitmaps and graphics.
Programming the Raspberry Pi.
Consideration of app toys.
Presentation of information.

How can I support my child at home?
Provide access to a computer for homework.
Provide secure access to the internet at home, to enable pupils
to access Moodle.
www.software4students.com Register your child on this
website to purchase genuine software applications at hugely
discounted prices.
www.teach-ict.com Large variety of video tutorials available
illustrating the use of popular applications to complete
everyday tasks, and to support the work covered in lessons.



Subject Leader Mr C Lickfold

14


What equipment will my child
need in Science during KS3?
Pens, pencils, ruler, scissors,
glue, eraser, protractor,
calculator and colouring
pencils.

What will my child be studying?

Year 7 Year 8
Tissues and transplants Going for gold
Acids & alkalis In the drink
Electrical circuits Sound & hearing
Sex and science Doctor and disease
Materials from the Earth Light
Forces and their effects Explaining the Earth
Classified All that glitters
What a waste Heat transfers
The solar system & beyond Food, glorious food

Year 9 blue/purple
pathway
The Exploring Science books for
each KS3 year are:

Year 7: ISBN 978-1-4058-9246-9
Year 8: ISBN 978-1-4058-9543-9
Year 9: ISBN 978-1-4058-9551-4

(Should you wish to purchase
them it is not obligatory.)


Crime scene investigations
Flying materials
Record breakers
Science & fiction
Cleaning up
Satellites in space
On the farm
Building for the future
Dam it!

Year 9 green pathway students will be studying the Core
Science (Science A) GCSE syllabus (ISBN 978-1-4085-0822-
0).




15


How can I support my child through KS3 Science?

Tring School Moodle site & Doddle (via the school
website).
Reading newspapers, magazines and watching
relevant TV programmes.

How will they be assessed in Science?

Tests at the end of each module
Through Unit Assessment projects
End of year examination

























Subject Leader Miss J Curtis
16


Philosophy and Religious Studies
What equipment will my child need in
Religious Education?
Pen, pencil, coloured pencils, glue stick, scissors, rubber and
ruler, whiteboard pen

What will my child be studying?



How can I support my child through KS3 PRS?

Discuss the topics that they are studying or topical news stories to
enable them to see issues from different points of view.

How will they be assessed in PRS?

There are 3 formal assessments in each year. Homework will generally
be research on specific topics or assessments.






Subject Leader (KS3) Mrs F Champness
Year 7
Art
Year 8 Year 9
Faith and Spiritual
Experience:
Who am I?
Who is God?
What is Worship
How do we show
commitment?
Faith and the
meaning of life:
Why do I exist?
Is God calling?
Moving on up or
around in circles?
Where is God when
there is suffering?

Faith and conflict:
Special J ourneys
What are moral and
ethical dilemmas?
Do we all deserve to be
forgiven?
Whats Easter all about?
Is there power in peace?
17


What equipment will my child need in
Art?

Water colour paints, detail brush, 2B
pencils, rubber, pencil sharpener,
(sketch books are currently supplied by
school)

What will my child be studying?


How can I support my child through KS3 Art?

KS3 Art is a skills based course. Children should be encouraged to
draw objects, scenes and landscape from life, as well as collecting
images which relate to projects done in class. Visits to galleries both
locally and nationally is always encouraged.

How will my child be assessed in Art?
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Students will follow a
skills based course.
Introduction to the
formal elements
through various
projects.
Using a sketch book
to formulate ideas
and gather information
Looking at art and
artists.
Students will
experiment with a
variety of materials
through projects based
on drawing from life
and other resources.
Projects will be
informed by the work
of other artists.
Students will consider
theme, context and
composition.
Students will
consolidate and
develop the skills and
techniques learnt in
Year 7 & 8.
The format for the
projects will borrow
from the GCSE model.
Students will be
assessed on their
knowledge and
understanding of the
work of other artists
and art movements as
well as their practical
ability.
All of the above projects cover the formal elements of line, tone, colour,
composition, design or pattern, and form
18
Students will be formally assessed on the skills learnt, their knowledge
and understanding of the formal elements and the final outcomes at the
end of each project.

Interim assessments will be based on how well students are responding
to the lesson objectives, which in turn relate to the formal elements,
skills learnt and creative input.

Targets will be set throughout the projects and will be the result of
teacher, peer and self assessment.


























Subject Leader
Miss S Gomersall


Drama
19
What equipment will my child need in Drama?

Pen, pencil, planner and Drama book

What will my child be studying?

How can I support my child through KS3 Drama?
Ensuring homework is complete
Taking them to the theatre
Watching drama on television
Talking to them about what they are studying in Drama and
their Drama targets

How will my child be assessed in Drama?
There will be practical assessments with every topic this will either be
through final performances or group work and how they use drama to
explore themes and plays.
Homework will consist of development tasks on work completed in
lessons, such as a set design for a script or mask design for a
character, writing up evaluations and rehearsing for assessment at
breaks or lunchtimes.

Subject Leader Miss L Cushnie

Life Skills
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
*Darkwood Manor

*Role Play/Atmosphere

*Night Shimmy- Empathy

*Physical theatre

*Movement & Monologue

*Greek theatre- mask,
chorus
*Romeo and Juliet-
motivation and stage
fighting

*Our Day Out-
characterisation and
comedy

*Theatre design-
costume, lighting and
sound

*Fame & Celebrity - Drama
Exploration
*The Truth is out There-
Comedy

*Joyriders- movement
and character

*Othello- movement
20
What equipment will my child need in
Life Skills?

Pens, pencil, colouring pencils, ruler, rubber
Exercise books are provided and should be brought to every
lessoon


What will my child be studying?






How will I support my child through KS3 Life Skills?

Useful website include:
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Drugs
Anti-Smoking
Road Safety
CVs
Disability Awareness
Loss and Grief
Bullying
How to Debate
Racism
Prejudice
Tring School Support
Staff
Police Community
Support Officers
Healthy Eating
Puberty
Keep Fit
First Aid
Democracy and Voting
Active Citizenship
Youth in the News
CVs
Why have Laws
Crime & Consequence
Volatile Substances
Alcohol and Drugs
Environmental Issues
Self Esteem
Britishness & Identity
Extended Leadership
Team
Relationships
Thinking About Work
Choosing options
CVs
Careers
Alcohol
Assertiveness
Personal Safety
Internet Safety
Human Rights
Getting A J ob
Poverty
Connexions
Homophobia
Gender Discrimination
Self Esteem
Role Models
Stereotyping
Smoking
21
www.teenagehealthfreek.org
www.brook.org.uk
www.talktofrank.com
www.quit.org.uk
www.childline.org.uk/extra/bullyingindex.asp



How will my child be assessed in Life Skills?

Students are informally assessed through independent and group work
in lessons.

Assessment criteria from the broader curriculum will be incorporated
into lessons in order to provide formative assessment. This will be
approached through opportunities for self and peer assessment and
verbal teacher feedback.


















Subject Leader Miss S Lynes

History
What equipment will my child need
in History?
22

Pen, pencil, rubber, eraser, colouring pencils
History exercise book and assessment record form (provided
by the department)

What will my child study?


How can I help my child through KS3 History?

By looking through their exercise books at class targets, and looking at
their assessment record form which records their assessment levels.

How will my child be assessed in History?

They will be assessed 5 times a year through various activities such as
posters, research, leaflets, essays and formal classroom assessments.




Subject Leader Miss J Mackay
Key Stage 3 Coordinator Miss E Duggan


Physical Education
What equipment will my child need in
PE?

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Medieval Realms
Norman Conquest
Castles
Religion (Thomas
Becket)
King J ohn
Black Death
Peasants Revolt
Tudors
Henry VIII
Elizabeth I
Mary, Queen of Scots
Civil War
Industrial Revolution
British Empire
Native Americans
WWI
WWI
- Holocaust
- Blitz
- Atomic bomb
Slavery and the Black
Peoples of the Americas
US Civil War
Civil Rights
23
PE kit which is listed in their planners

What will my child study?


How can I help my child through KS3 Physical Education?

Encourage participation in lessons and extra curricular activities. Ensure
their kit is clean and ready for the lesson and is fully named/labelled.
Encourage minimal valuables are brought into school on PE days. If
they do have valuables it remains their responsibility. Lockers are
provided in the changing rooms for 1 (returnable).

How will my child be assessed?

Students are assessed throughout each activity and more formally
given an attainment level at the end of each activity block which they
record in their planner.
An average level out of these activities is given on the Achievement
Tracker.








Subject Leader Miss L Bullock


Music
What equipment will my child need in Music?

Whiteboard pen, pencil, pen, eraser, ruler,
exercise book and manuscript book
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Students follow a wide range of activities throughout KS3. Activities are
normally split into termly blocks. Students have 4 lessons a fortnight,
2 indoor and 2 outdoor
24
Your instrument (if you learn one) for all composing and
performing lessons

What will my child be studying?



How can I help my child through KS3 Music?

Ensure they have the right equipment
Ensure they do their homework
Ensure they learn all the musical notation taught
Visit websites such as www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/guide/
Green pathway Blue / Purple Pathway
Performance skills
Performing rhythms
Keyboard skills
Performing as an
ensemble
Vocal skills
Solo performance

Performing rhythms
Keyboard skills
Performing as an
ensemble
Vocal skills


Composing skills
Composing rhythms
Composing to a given
structure
Composing melodies
Developing an
understanding of chords
Composing in a popular
style

Composing rhythms
Composing melodies
Improvising

Listening skills /
research skills
World music
Classical music
20
th
century music
Popular music
12 set pieces of music
Music theory

Project work based on
the music industry
Venues
Jobs in performance
Non performing roles in
the industry
Organisations
25
Encourage them to join the school band or choir
Attend a music concert at some point in KS3 to help identify instruments
and families.

How will my child be assessed in Music?

Students will be assessed in performance, composition and listening
and evaluating. Much of the assessment is ongoing and students have
the opportunity to demonstrate that they have developed a specific skill
several times during the course of the year. Assessments may involve
students performing as a soloist or as part of a small group, a written
composition, or a live performance of a composition as well as a more
formal listening and theory based test.




















Subject Leader Mrs E Wood

Geography
What equipment will my child need in
Geography?
Pen, pencil, rubber, ruler, glue stick,
scissors, coloured pencils calculator.
26
It will be beneficial to have a memory stick

What will my child be studying?



How do I help my child through KS3 Geography?

Homework will be set once a week. Regularly checking your childs
homework and offering advice on improvements will be of valuable
assistance, discussion and extra research of topical geographical
issues through watching the news reading newspapers and looking at
news websites.
Holidays taken abroad and in the UK offer ample opportunities for
Geography through looking at landscapes and geographical features as
well as studying different cultures.

How will my child be assessed in Geography?

Students will be continually assessed through Key Stage 3 in
Geography in order to help them understand how they can improve.
In addition to these assessment for learning activities your child will also
complete five formally assessed pieces of work each year, which will be
marked according to the National Curriculum criteria.


Subject Leader (Acting) Miss L Monger
Design and Technology


What equipment will my child need?

Pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, sharpener
Ingredients

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Fair Trade
Restless Earth
Weather and Climate
The World

Planet Earth
Global issues
Brazil
Coasts
Tourism

Sport
Amazing places
Development
Extreme Environments
Population
Globalisation
27
What will my child study?


How can I support my child in KS3 Design and
Technology?

Ensuring they bring the necessary ingredients, materials and
equipment. Helping them with any homework, giving them the
opportunities to make products at home.
Encouraging them to use websites such as
www.technologystudent.com

How will my child be assessed in Design and Technology?

They will have continuous assessment throughout the year on practical
work and design folders.
Homework will include the following during the Key Stage:
Researching a range of products, compiling mood boards, mind maps,
flowcharts etc, undertaking surveys and questionnaires, generating
ideas, writing a plan of work, using the internet for research, acquiring
specific ingredients, materials and resources, doing additional practical
work (at lunchtimes or after school), writing up what they did in
lessons, planning class presentations, and evaluating projects.



Subject Leader Mr R J King



German
What equipment will my child need?

Pocket dictionary
Dry wipe board pen
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Design and manufacture using wood, metals, textiles and plastics.
Computer aided designs and graphics as well as food processing and
cookery.
28
Headphones
Coloured pens
Glue stick
Cover for exercise book

What will my child study?

How can I help my child through KS3 German?

By using websites such as BBC Bitesize, www.linguascope.com,
www.languagesonline.org.uk, www.gut.org.uk, www.doddlelearn.co.uk

How will my child be assessed in German?

They will be assessed usually at the end of every module on 2 of the
following skills: listening, reading, writing, speaking.
The homework will contain a mixture of writing, reading and learning
exercises.

Subject Leader Miss L Fabre
KS3 Co-coordinator Mrs J Baker

Spanish
What equipment will my child need?

pocket dictionary
dry wipe board pen
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Self
Items in your school
bag
Numbers
Family
Physical descriptions
Pets
School
Time
Sports
House
Personal details
Weather
Holiday last year
Buying train tickets
Daily routine
Parts of the body
Illness
Food and drink
Shops
Inviting a friend out
TV programmes
Personal Details
Nationalities
School rules
Directions
Environment
Films
Part-time jobs
Describing clothes
Family life
Rules at home
Resolutions for the
future
29
headphones
coloured pens
glue stick
cover for exercise book

What will my child be studying?

How can I help my child through KS3 Spanish?

By using websites such as BBC Bitesize, www.linguascope.com,
www.languagesonline.org.uk, www.gut.org.uk, www.doddlelearn.co.uk

How will my child be assessed in Spanish?

They will be assessed usually at the end of every module on 2 of the
following skills: listening, reading, writing, speaking.
The homework will contain a mixture of writing, reading and learning
exercises.

Subject Leader Miss L Fabre
KS3 Co-coordinator Mrs J Baker

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Self
Family
Physical descriptions
Pets
School
Time
Sports
House
What you do on holidays
Years eight and nine Spanish curriculum
will be communicated next year.
30

French
What equipment will my child need?

pocket dictionary
dry wipe board pen
headphones
coloured pens
glue stick
cover for exercise book

What will my child be studying?

How can I help my child through KS3 French?

By using websites such as BBC Bitesize, www.linguascope.com,
www.languagesonline.org.uk, www.gut.org.uk, www.doddlelearn.co.uk

How will my child be assessed in French?

They will be assessed usually at the end of every module on 2 of the
following skills: listening, reading, writing, speaking.
The homework will contain a mixture of writing, reading and learning
exercises.

Subject Leader Miss L Fabre
KS3 Co-coordinator Mrs J Baker

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Self
Family
Physical descriptions
Pets
School
Time
Sports
House
What you do on
holidays
Self
Family
Daily routines
Parts of the body
Illness
Food and drink
Shops
Travelling to/around
Paris
Booking a holiday in
France
Your town
Housework
Exchange visits
Keeping fit
Healthy eating
Clothes
Pocket money
Characteristics
Weather
News
31
The Student Support Team at

Key Stage 3 in Tring School
The role of the Form Tutor and Head of House

The Student Support Team at Tring School
are there to ensure that your child is happy,
safe and achieving their potential at school.

Your child will have a Form Tutor
throughout their time at Tring School who
will not only register them and ensure that their attendance is good, but
will also be the first person that they should see if they are experiencing
problems in or out of lessons. Form Tutors check on the academic
progress of every student within their tutor group, and will mentor a child
who may need extra support.

The Form Tutor should also be the first person that parents contact if
they wish to pass on information about a changing situation at home, or
have concerns that they would like to discuss.

Most of our Form Tutors all have full teaching timetables, and
sometimes may not be available to speak to you, so we also have
Heads of Houses who work closely with the Form Tutors on the welfare
of the students in their House.

Our Heads of Houses are trained to deal with all manner of pastoral
issues that can arise during a childs time at secondary school and they
regularly make referrals to agencies within Hertfordshire when it is
necessary to seek outside support.



There is a Connexions Centre at Tring School that
is located next to the Dining Hall and is used by students to access help
about a variety of issues.

We have a number of trained counsellors who are available to the
students from 8.30am- 4pm most school days. The service is
32
confidential, and students can self refer or may be referred by their
Head of House, Learning Support Team or Form Tutor.

Our counsellors also lead a team of Peer Mentors: Sixth Form students
who have been trained to help younger students. Their role is to mentor
younger students when they may feel uncomfortable speaking to adults.

Our Connexions Centre also provides literature to students about drug
and alcohol misuse, health and sexual relations, and can advise
students on careers choices.

The Learning Support Department

Carol Oxley, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator, leads a team
of Teaching Assistants who are trained to support students in the
classroom, in small groups, and on a one to one basis.

The Learning Support Department helps students remove barriers to
learning, both pastoral or academic. They also support students who
find it difficult, for whatever reason, to come into school, and help
students who have learning difficulties.

Tring School has an excellent reputation for working with students with
special educational needs.

School Chaplain

We also have a School Chaplain who is based in Connexions. She will
be working closely with the Student Support Team to support students
who may need someone to talk to or advice about home or school
situations.

Homework Support Club

Homework Support Club runs three nights a week Monday, Tuesday
& Wednesday from 3.30 4.30pm on the Library. Students can
complete homework, revision or do extra studying at Homework
Support Club. It is supervised by a member of staff and refreshments
are provided.


33




Useful Names and Contacts

If you would like to talk to someone or you have
any questions, the following people should be
able to help you:



Head of Ascott House Ms Dawn Audley
Head of Claydon House Mrs Charmaine Sangari
Head of Halton House Mrs Kim Baiden
Head of Waddesdon House Mr Devon Woolley
Student Support Manager (Waddesdon) Ms J ulie Stefan
Assistant Head Teacher - Student Support Mr Nigel Barlow
Assistant Head Teacher - SENCO Mrs Gayle Raybould
Assistant Head Teacher/Connexions Coordinator Mr Andrew Dobberson
School Counsellor Mrs Linda Bowers
Connexions Admi nistrator Mrs Denise Griffiths
Careers Coordinator Mr Andrew Dobberson
Life Skills Coordinator Miss J ennah Alder




You may also find the following websites useful:

www.tring.herts.sch.uk
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning
www.connexions-direct.com
www.doddle.co.uk








34


How to use the Tring School Planner
At the beginning of the academic year all students receive a Planner,
also referred to as a Homework Diary.

The purpose of the Planner is not only for students to record their
homework, but it is also a way for you to communicate with your childs
Form Tutor or Teacher, and vice versa.

The Planner also contains your childs timetable, the uniform policy and
information about the School Council and Connexions.




























35

Homework
A good, well-managed home learning
programme helps students to develop
the skills and attitudes they will need
for successful lifelong learning.
Tring School believes that home
learning can also support the
development of independent learning
skills, and provides parents with an
opportunity to take part in their
children's education.

The reason Tring School applies home
learning is because it:
Allows students to increase their knowledge, understanding
and application of skills.
Is linked to prior knowledge.
Contains an element of independent research thus
empowering students and giving them some responsibility for
their own learning.
Is reflective and enables learners to monitor and review their
thinking and learning.
Allows students, parents and teachers to assess progress.
Leads to a dialogue with regard to how students can improve.
Promotes self evaluation
Is perceived to be of value by students, parents and teachers


We use an online homework resource centre called Doddle. Your child will
be given their Doddle logins and passwords during the first few weeks.

If you have any questions regarding homework, please speak directly to
your childs subject teacher, or Mr Steve McEvoy, who is in charge of our
Home Learning Policy (which you can find on the Tring School website).


36
How can I keep in contact

with the school?
KeepKidsSafe

Keep Kids Safe is a way of making sure that you are kept up to date
with everything that is happening at school electronically. The school
will be able to email and text you with information, and will be able to
contact you about your child should we need to. If you have not already
requested to be signed up to KKS, please contact Mrs Sheena Cogger
at scogger@tring.herts.sch.uk

Newsletters

Our newsletters are distributed every half term with
information about our recent achievements and
forthcoming events.
You can find electronic copies of newsletters on the
School website.


Parents Evening

On Wednesday 18 December you will be invited to
your childs first Parents Evening at Tring School.
All of our Parents Evenings take place in the
Desborough Hall and you can make 5 minute
appointments with your childs subject teachers
from 4pm to 7pm. You child will be asked to make appointments in the
weeks leading up to the Parents Evening. There is a page in their
planners in order for them to be able to do this.
The Parents Evening is a fantastic way to meet your childs class
teachers, review their progress and talk through any concerns you may
have.

Initial Concerns

Towards the end of October, your childs Head of House will contact
you if they feel your child may be experiencing some issues settling in.
This is a good way to iron out any small glitches that may have
happened, or reassure yourself about any worries you might have.
37

Progress Reports
Progress Reports show the attainment of your child. They show what
level your child is working at, and what level they should be targeting by
the end of the year.

The Progress Report also gives an effort level which indicates how hard
their subject teacher feels they are working and takes into account the
quality of their written work, their homework and organisation.
The attainment levels are based on formal and informal class
assessments, as well as the work they produce in class and homework.
If you have any concerns about their effort or attainment levels, please
contact the subject teacher who will be happy to speak to you.
The first Year 7 Progress Report will be issued on 13 December before
the Parents Evening.



















38


Rewards and Sanctions

At Tring School we try to achieve a healthy balance of teaching our
students the standards we expect, upholding those standards and
celebrating successes.

Every term there is a House assembly in which the
four Houses celebrate student successes and
highlight any extra-curricular or in school
achievements. These assemblies are thoroughly
enjoyed by all the students. They include students
who have shown active citizenship, students who have excelled
academically, those who have worked hard and whose names have
been put forward by teaching staff, and those who have taken part in
House activities.

All students have the opportunity to collect Achievement Points, which
can earn them individual rewards and can help their House win the
house cup. Achievement Points can be earned in a variety of ways, but
mainly through hard work in lessons.

Sanctions are applied where necessary and only after careful thought.
Detentions take place during and after school, and can last up to 2
hours. As well as this we have an Internal Exclusion Room where we
place students who have demonstrated seriously challenging or
dangerous behaviour. For more information about our sanctions,
please visit the school website
http://www.tring.herts.sch.uk/parents/rewards_sanctions.html

You can keep track of how many Achievement Points your child has
collected via Moodle.

Moodle can also tell you your childs attendance and has a wealth of
resources for all subjects, as well as links to useful websites.



39


Acronyms you may encounter
NCTs, SATs, sometimes acronyms can be confusing, even for the
people who have to use them everyday! This page will get you started:


SAT Standard Assessment Test (Year 6)

Connexions Service that provides advice to young people about
issues such as drugs, careers, sex education

Key Stage Education is organised into blocks of years

Core Subjects English, Maths and Science. Subjects that are
compulsory throughout a childs statutory education

Foundation Subjects Subjects other than Maths, English or
Science.

ICT Information and Communication Technology

D&T Design and Technology

SHRE Sexual Health and Relationships Education

NC National Curriculum

SENCO Special Educational Needs Coordinator

LT Leadership Team

AMA Academically Most Able

G&T Gifted and Talented

PRS Philosophy and Religious Studies

MFL Modern Foreign Languages