Preparatory School
for boys aged 6-13
Day, Weekly & Full Boarding
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English
This is the year in which the Common Entrance syllabus is started. Reading: non-fiction, news reports, speeches as well as studying fiction texts to prepare to write about character, plot and setting of particular novels. More poetry, too. Themes: childhood, memory, conflict, heroes and heroines, relationships as well as less formal topics. Language: to understand that there are different (and deeper) layers of meaning to surface language-ambiguity, tone and style all have an effect on meaning.. Boys start to write complex sentences, using words like 'although', 'provided that', 'unless', 'while', 'so that'. Writing: identify the audience and write for it. Learn to summarise. Practise doing exam papers.
7S additional work on the Winchester College Entrance, as well as the CE syllabus from the Michaelmas Term. This entails some nineteenth century poetry and prose [eg extracts from Dickens novels or Emily Dickinson poems]. They progress to scholarship work from the Lent Term, so that by the Summer, they are on track for full scholarship practice, which carries on into Year 8.
Maths
Be able to use of all four operations with decimals to 2 decimal places; add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers; solve more difficult linear equations; areas and perimeters of irregular shapes; properties of quadrilaterals; symmetry of shapes; round off decimals to 1 and 2 decimal places and 1 significant figure; equivalent fractions, decimal fractions and percentage; frequency tables; dividing a three digit number with two digit number; construct pie charts; know angles between parallel line rules; simplify algebraic expressions including indices; estimation; know comparable metric and imperial measurements; construct and interpret simple line graphs; rotation of shapes; number sequences; probability; scale and scale drawing; plot simple linear graphs; draw and recognize simple nets.
7S additional work: completing these topics and most of the CE Year 8 syllabus in addition.
Science
Magnets and electromagnets (investigation), forces and their effects, electrical circuits: resistance and current, gravity and space; cells, food and digestion, solutions, atoms and elements, compounds and mixtures, light, energy resources, speeding up, environment, feeding relationships, particle model, microbes and diseases, Revision, investigative skills, scientific enquiry.
7S additional work: Electricity & electromagnets (resistance/current/voltage), periodic table, reactions of metals, patterns of reactivity, specialized cells, density, heating and cooling, fit and healthy, energy alternatives, pressure and moments, plants and photosynthesis, plants for food.
French
Topics – classroom objects and instructions, events and months of the year, telling the time and days of the week, simple greetings, house and home, family and pets, places in town and directions, clothing, school subjects and routine, leisure activities and sports, likes and dislikes, French alphabet, colours, basic geography of France, weather and seasons, food and drink.
Grammar – definite and indefinite articles, singular and plural of nouns, possessive adjectives, regular verbs in the present tense (-er, -ir, -re) , important irregular verbs (avoir, etre, aller faire), negatives, simple prepositions, numbers 0-100, simple adjectives, accents, formal/informal 'you'
Exam – speaking = 25%, listening = 25%, reading = 25%, writing = 25%
7S additional work: comparing British/French culture, description of character, letter writing, irregular verbs (pouvoir, vouloir), passé compose, reflexive verbs, time sequences, questions.
Latin
The basis of the Level II CE syllabus.
Nouns - 3rd declension (all genders), Adjectives – 3rd declension, regular and irregular comparison
Pronouns – declensions of ego, tu, nos, nos, se, is, hic, ille, more prepositions, Verbs – future and pluperfect active tenses, sum/possum, eo (+compunds), simple concessive clauses and direct questions, prohibitions, reflexive pronouns, cardinal numbers (11-20), more English to Latin sentences to include adjectival agreement and imperfect active tense, 200-330 words of vocabulary.
7S additional work: the Level III and CAS syllabi (including 4th and 5th noun declensions, relative pronouns, idem, ipse, all passive tenses, present and perfect participles, the imperfect subjunctive, time, place, deponent verbs, all infinitives). Constructions: indirect speech (statement and command), purpose clauses, result clauses, ablative absolutes, cum + subjunctive.
History
In year 7 all boys study the history of England in the Middle Ages. Among the topics we cover are the
events preceding the Battle of Hastings, the Battle itself and the development of Castles. There is a visit to Chepstow castle, a debate on travel in the Middle Ages, an essay writing programme and studies of key historical figures and events such as King John and Magna Carta, Henry II and Becket, the Black Death and the Peasants Revolt.
Geography
Divinity
Old Testament Texts and Contemporary Issues: Creation, Science and creation, The Nature/Fall of Man, Stewardship and the environment, Human nature and moral behaviour, Cain and Abel, Dealing with anger and jealousy, The Near Sacrifice of Isaac, Making sacrifices for others, The Ten Commandments, Law, rules and human rights, David and Jonathan, Friendship, David and Bathsheba, Nathan's Parable, People, power and responsibility, Solomon's Wisdom, Leadership and wisdom, Elijah, Fame, celebrity and false worship, The Message of the prophet Amos, Social justice and fair trade syllabus.
New Testament Texts and Contemporary Issues
The Temptations of Jesus (Luke 41-13) – Temptation, Jesus and Outcasts: Zacchaeus, Levi, the woman and Simon the Pharisee (Luke 191-10; Mark 213-17; Luke 736-50) – Prejudice and Discrimination, On being a follower of Jesus: The Call of the disciples, The Rich Young Man, The request of James and John (Luke 51-11; Mark 1017-31; Mark 1035-45) – Priorities, commitments and values, Miracles of healing: The Paralysed Man, The Crippled Woman healed on the Sabbath (Mark 21-12; Luke 1310-17) – Miracles today, Who was Jesus?: Peter's declaration, The Transfiguration (Mark 827-33; Mark 92-13) – Jesus' identity, Parables: The Good Samaritan, The Lost Son, The Sower (Luke 1025-37; Luke 1511-32; Luke 84-15), The Teaching of Jesus (Luke 617-49), The Sentence, Crucifixion, and Burial (Mark 156-47) – Pacifism and protest, forgiveness
The Resurrection (John 201-29) – Attitudes to death, The Early Christians: Events of Pentecost, How the early Christians lived, The Apostles are persecuted (Acts 222-24,40-41; 42-27; 517-42) – The Church today. Origins of Christianity – Jesus, the early Church, denominations, Beliefs, teaching and doctrines – The Creeds, the Trinity, Holy books – The Bible: Contents, Authority, translations, Main festivals – The Church's year, Ceremonies – Baptism, Confirmation, Wedding, Funeral, Worship and Prayer – Prayer, Holy Communion, Matins/Evensong, Family Service, Places of worship – Churches, Chapels and Cathedrals, Leaders of worship – Ordained and lay ministers, Service to the community – Christian Aid, Salvation Army, Pilgrimage – Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Lourdes, Canterbury, Walsingham, Contemporary Christian leaders, Martin Luther-King, Mother Theresa, Corrie ten Boom
Greek (7S only)
3rd Declension nouns and adjectives (m/f/n), imperative, present infinitive, sentence contrast, future/imperfect tense (verb – to be), all four passive tenses, more work on word order, time, verbs with different stems, temporal and syllabic augments, comparison of adjectives, middle voice, personal pronouns, 100 words of Greek vocabulary (min).