Welcome to Team Red Kite

At the assert level, pupils should build on previous learning in a range of contexts, explicitly learning about a range of local and global issues and be supported to be able to assert and justify their own opinions across the curriculum.  This stage is about flexibility and refinement of concepts and ideas, with pupils being able to debate and reflect, ready to change their minds or hold their ground. It is about being confident and self-aware.  It is about encouraging pupils to have conviction in their own views and the voice to communicate clearly.  We encourage pupils to respect and accept others’ opinions and individuality but understand how to respectfully disagree.  Drama, debate, communities of inquiry and real experiences are the vehicles for learning. We take every opportunity to extend learning in real life situations through visits and visitors and the media. Staff are facilitators of pupil-led learning at this stage, providing opportunities for pupils to become experts in concepts, refine their ideas and demonstrate clear understanding of the knowledge and skills they have learned.

Our pupils are now empowered to take on the world.

In Osprey and Red Kites, our Year 9/10 pupils will learn through a combination of whole class, group work and individual work. Learning will be pupil led and link to topic areas and our whole school themes. Staff talk will be minimal and about facilitating learning; instead we will support pupils to learn to and through talk.

Autumn 1 - Community - Topic Theme 'Urban Explorers'

This topic is all about art and our communities!  Through an active exploration of urban art, we will learn about our local areas and all the different people and places around us!  We will create pieces of art that represent our communities and who they are as people.  We will use buildings as inspiration and use media to create digital art.  Different artists will be studied to create art that is inspired by famous local artists and urban artists: Banksy, Phlegm (Sheffield), Kid Acne (Sheffield), Pete McKee, Lowry.  These artists will be studied in a way that enables us to learn about communities and life in Britain today, such as by looking at the political messages portrayed in Banksy’s art work, with particular reference to social class, careers and the changing nature of UK politics.  We will be encouraged to use their voice to say what we believe in and to be active citizens.

The oracy focus is Inform and Explain. Pupils will develop their presentational skills over the half term, with progressively more demanding expectations (eg formality, tone, gestures, audience), part of the Physical Strand. The topic will lead up to the Celebrate Activity – an Art Gallery – year 9 and 10 pupils will present their art work to an audience. Each pupil will be ‘an artist’ and will present their work, explaining how it was made and what it represents. Pupils will need to learn to ‘talk like an artist’, part of the Cognitive Strand. Pupils will watch documentaries in order to learn how to do their own.