Key stage 3

Opening Minds: A competency-based curriculum for the twenty first century

Aim: Improve transition for students from Key Stage 2 into Key Stage 3. Help to develop transferable skills and competencies such as literacy, numeracy and ICT in the Key Stage 3 curriculum. Embed Learning to Learn and Emotional Intelligence into the curriculum. Create engagement in independent learning through an innovative & engaging curriculum for students in the 21st century. Extend and challenge the most able and engage those with the potential to become disaffected in KS3, creating a resilience in learning that will become habitual and transferable. Embed ICT throughout the curriculu

Teaching punctuation

Aim: To identify reasons why some pupils in Year 8 have difficulty with basic punctuation, to explore teachers' perceptions of pupils' difficulty with punctuation and their pedagogic strategies for supporting pupils with punctuation problems and to suggest strategies which are likely to help pupils use punctuation successfully

Maths is good for you: teaching mathematics in a historical context

Aim: The prevailing modern view of mathematical ability is one which includes creativity and transcends the more limited concept of technical ability. There is, however, little widely available material which, in a simple and accessible way, introduces secondary school age children to the world of creative mathematics. This projects main aim was to bridge this gap.

Children's perspectives on formative assessment: an action research approach

Aim: The overall aim of the project was to investigate childrens perspectives on formative assessment and how formative assessment can be developed to improve learning. I was particularly interested to know how childrens perspectives on learning and formative assessment changed between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3. I wanted to explore whether an action research approach could assist in the development of classroom practice in formative assessment.

Enhancing student engagement

Aim: To investigate the impact of physical theatre skills on a group of Year 8 students identified as needing to develop their non-verbal reasoning skills further and to document the processes and problem solving strategies Year 8 pupils use when attempting to learn a new, creative physical skill.

Boys will be boys? Raising boys motivation and achievement in Key Stage Three Design Technology

Aim: Decrease the gap between boys and girls achievement at Key Stage Three. Increase the number of level 5 and level 6 achieved by boys in DT in their Key Stage Three Standard Aptitude Tests (SATs). Improve the behaviour and effort of boys during DT lessons. Increase the number of boys opting for DT - possibly within food and textiles.