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Cirencester Deer Park School

Cirencester Deer Park School

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Year 7 into Year 8

Changes as Year 7 move into Year 8

At Deer Park we roll our timetable forward at the start of June and promote each year group. This means that from Tuesday 8 June 2021 pupils in our current Years 7-10 will follow new timetables and meet new teachers.

In Year 7 most subjects are taught in tutor groups or paired tutor groups, but from Year 8 there are a number of changes. Year 7 pupils have seen a presentation from Deputy Head Mrs Lang, which  explains the differences. The year group will be split in half, either A or B side.

Please note: New timetables will be available on Show My Homework during half term. Currently (28 May 2021) some of the timetables are not displaying correctly. This should, however, sort itself out and be resolved towards the end of half term.


Changes explained

Year 7 Maths – two paired tutor groups with a ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ group

 

Year 8 Maths – the year group will be split in half (4 tutor groups in each) and you will be set in groups 1 to 4.  These are not linked to other subjects.

Year 7 Science – two paired tutor groups with a ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ group (and the same groups as Maths and IT)

Year 8 Science – the year group will be split in half and you will be set in groups 1 to 4 (these will not be linked to Maths or IT groups in Year 8)

Art, English, Drama, Geography, History, IT, Music, RP – tutor groups

Art, English, Drama, Geography, History, IT, Music, RP – the year group will be split in half (4 tutor groups in each) and you will be in mixed ability groups.  If you look at your timetable on SMHW during half term do not worry if it says you are in 8A3, for example – all 4 groups are mixed ability but we have to number them somehow!

Year 7 Design – mixed ability smaller groups due to practical nature of the lessons

Year 8 Design – mixed ability smaller groups, similar to Year 7, due to practical nature of the lessons

Year 7 Languages – taught in tutor groups

Year 8 Languages – the groups are now ability set across half year groups (4 tutor groups in each).  Some pupils will learn Spanish and German and some will learn just Spanish.

Year 8 PE – taught in half year groups (4 tutor groups in each half) with 2 boys groups and 2 girls groups

Year 8 PE – taught in half year groups (4 tutor groups in each half) with 2 boys groups and 2 girls groups – just like in Year 7


FAQs

Will I be with my friends?
You might find that some of your friends are in the same class as you, however don’t worry if there are classes where they are not – you will make new friends in the new classes you are in.

Can I change my groups?
Some of the classes will change during the year – for example, pupils do sometimes move up or down a set in Science or Maths.  Our aim is to ensure that you are in the class that is going to be the best fit for you.

If I don’t understand my timetable (when I look at it in half term) what should I do?
Don’t worry about it! You will have tutor time (which is exactly the same group as this year) first thing on Tuesday 8 June.  You will be given a paper copy of your timetable then and we can explain anything you don’t understand.

Do I need to pack my bag ready for my new lessons on Tuesday 8 June?
If you can be prepared for your lessons that day then that is great but we don’t expect anyone to look at their new timetable before coming into school on Tuesday 8 June, and so don’t worry if you don’t have everything you normally need for the day.