Year 7 Curriculum - Uckfield College

Year 7 Curriculum

In addition to considerable strengths in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, we have flourishing Arts and Technology departments, strong Physical Education and excellent Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences provision. 

The College has a particular identity as being at the forefront of Computing education and digital literacy with our one-to-one Chromebook device scheme as a key part of our curriculum. We promote the E-Bacc route at GCSE, meaning that the majority of students will include either History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language in their GCSE option choices. 

When a student joins Uckfield College in Year 7, their timetable will comprise the following subjects:

English, Maths, Science, French or Spanish, Technology (Textiles, Food Technology and Design Technology), History, Geography, PE, Dance, Drama, Art, Music, Religious Education, Computing and Personal, Social and Health Education. Each of the subjects is precisely-planned to be as inspiring, ambitious and knowledge-rich as possible.

Find out more about what students in each year group study here Our subject-based curriculum is  further enriched by visiting speakers and  Deep Learning Days; in Year 7, these are great opportunities to learn more about digital literacy, identity and diversity, and exciting STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Maths) days where students experience how these subjects link up in real-life practical application. Every fortnight, students study a topical issue from ‘The Economist’ to develop their political and cultural understanding.

Public speaking and oracy skills are taught through a range of lessons and opportunities across the curriculum.   For students who need additional support with their numeracy and literacy, we run a Direct Instruction programme, which helps students master the skills they need to access the curriculum and gain confidence.  We place a significant focus on reading and vocabulary acquisition for all students and expect our students to be reading a minimum of twenty minutes a day at home in addition to their work on reading in College.  Our homework curriculum is carefully planned in all subjects for all age groups and is a key element of the curriculum. 

In our assembly and form mentor programmes, we support and challenge students to develop their character through the teaching of our College values, which we call our Uckfield Qualities: 

LOVE

LEARNING

LIFE
INTEGRITY

We care about and respect everyone. We stand up for what is morally right and we do the right thing, even when no-one is looking. We believe every individual belongs and we are anti-prejudice.
CURIOSITY

We are curious, intellectual, active, deep thinking and questioning learners. We participate fully and value opportunities to work with and learn from others.
RESILIENCE

We are courageous and embrace new challenges.  We are optimistic, solution-focused and persevere, even when it is difficult. We know that we improve through practice.
KINDNESS

We are considerate, empathetic and giving. We are supportive of each other’s personal development and wellbeing. We appreciate and recognise what others do for us.
ASPIRATION

We set ourselves ambitious goals and we achieve personal excellence. We are ready, willing and able to make a wholly positive contribution to improving society.
SELF-REGULATION

We manage our emotions, have a growth mindset and develop good habits.  We communicate confidently and respectfully and are good listeners. We reflect on and learn from our experiences.

Each student is supported with their academic and personal development through regular mentoring. This is either individually or in a small group, by their form mentor or sometimes a different member of staff.  Our wide ranging and ambitious assembly programme plays a key part in the teaching of our personal development curriculum and also in building a culture of aspiration and community within each year group.  We are constantly seeking to develop and extend our curriculum so that it is as inspiring and effective as possible.