Year 8 Science Video

Year 8 have been learning about different power sources as part of our current science topic. The pupils have been identifying how everyday electrical items all require a power source. We have also found that different power sources are used depending on the needs of the device. We have seen how mains electricity and battery power are the two main sources.

We presented the pupils with a selection of household electrical items. We asked them to consider where the power comes from. We then thought about why some devices might need an electrical cable whilst others benefit from being battery powered. We also found that some of the items can be powered by both mains electricity and a battery.

Year 8 then suggested where some of the devices could be used. We concluded that an iPhone requires battery power because you need to be able to use it whilst you are outside. A hoover however can operate off the mains electricity as it is only used indoors. You can watch a short video above explaining a little more about our science work in Year 8.

Year 7 Science Video

Year 7 have been learning about the power of various forces during recent science sessions. The pupils have taken a very practical approach in finding out how forces continually act around us in all of the everyday tasks that we experience.

We started off this work with a very practical approach – our class teacher very kindly agreed to be weighed down with a rucksack containing many heavy books. One by one we added in more books. We took it in turns to see how heavy the rucksack was becoming. The force of gravity was pulling down on the rucksack, making it hard to carry.

We then opened up our work to consider many other everyday forces – pushing, pulling, stretching, resistance, squashing and friction. The pupils carried out different table activities to help explore these forces further. Some pupils concentrated on identifying a force and then sorting it into a relevant group; other pupils were keen to explain how a force can change from one to another. We also looked at what force might be needed to help achieve a certain task.

You can find out more about our science work in the video above.

Year 8 French Singing

Year 8

Year 8 have added some fun to recent French lessons with some singing to help us with our vocabulary work. We are helping all pupils to become confident French counters from one to twenty. We have found that by adding in a little song and some simple rhythm and actions, the number line sequence becomes easier to remember. Claps and clicks of our fingers were also added in for certain numbers. The outcome was extremely positive, as you can hear in the podcast below!

Year 9 D & T Video

Year 9 have been continuing with their D & T work to design and create a spice rack holder. This has been a project that we have been keen for the pupils to work on as independently as possible. The staff have been giving guidelines and offering instructions to follow, but we have been encouraging Year 9 to use their own initiative to help create the spice rack.

It is also a highly technical piece of work. The pupils have replicated the exact design and dimensions that are on paper over to the wood that we have been working with. We have used a combination of both tenon and coping saws to help complete the cutting. Finger joints have been used to hold the spice rack together. Year 9 have been learning how this is a strong system for keeping two pieces of wood locked together.

Most of the pupils have now completed the cutting of the wood required for the spice racks. Our next task will be to sand down all the edges, and then assemble the rack. We will complete this project with some varnishing, before being able to proudly take our spice racks home. You can find out a little more about this project in the video above.

Year 10 GCSE Artwork

Year 10

As part of our preparations for GCSE Art, Year 10 are looking in great detail at graphic design for the remainder of the summer term. In particular we are learning how artwork, typography and fonts can be used to put across a particular message. This may be a political, personal or even a commercial point of view.

We have started our work by looking at the art of music album covers. Year 10 have been seeing how the creation of a suitable album cover is almost as important as the music itself. A powerful piece of art can help to put across any musical ideas that the artist is keen to make.

A number of questions were posed for our Year 10 members: Who might the album and artwork appeal to? What is the possible message that the artist wants to put across? How would you improve the album artwork to make this message clearer?

Each pupil then selected an album cover in which to analyse. We encouraged the pupils to volunteer ideas and that the artwork stimulates in them. Working in small groups we soon found that many album covers can be interpreted differently. We also noted that musical genres can contain similar styles in the album covers that are used.

This is a major project that Year 10 will continue to work on throughout the summer term. We will conclude this piece of work by asking each class member to create their own piece of album artwork inspired by their favourite music.

Year 10

School News – Ofsted Inspection: Good!

Year 11

Lansdowne School was visited by an Ofsted Inspection Team from 5 – 6 June, 2013. We are incredibly proud that the work of all within our school community is officially recognised as being good.

The Ofsted Inspector stated:

“Teaching is good and there is some outstanding teaching.”

This marks a significant improvement from the previous Ofsted Inspection of February 2012. It enables Lansdowne School to continue with the current teaching practices as we strive towards our aim of being an outstanding school.

We would like to thank all within the Lansdowne community – students, parents and all staff – who were able to assist the Ofsted Inspector during the detailed two-day inspection. It is wonderful news as we approach the end of the current academic year, and a timely boost for to the work we need to continue with in September.

We are happy to share an overview of the report findings below. You can download a full copy of the Ofsted Inspection over here [PDF file.]

“There has been rapid and significant improvement since the school was judged to require special measures. The appointment of many new teachers, together with a comprehensive coaching programme for staff, has successfully raised the quality of teaching.”

“Teaching is now good overall. Teachers’ assessments of students’ progress are accurate and checked regularly. This allows teachers to plan and deliver lessons that are well matched to students’ abilities.”

“Staff use the school’s chosen sign and symbol systems well, both when teaching and when making resources for lessons. This helps students more easily understand what they are being taught.”

“Students’ make good progress. For example, their reading skills develop quickly because daily reading lessons are well structured and give them regular practice. This also helps students to be more confident learners in other lessons. Students’ literacy skills develop well because they have regular opportunities to read, write, speak and listen in most subjects.”

“Students feel safe at school and enjoy their lessons. Their behaviour in class is good because they understand the school’s five main rules, which teachers reinforce during most lessons. Students’ attendance has improved significantly.”

“The executive headteacher and the assistant headteachers know the school well. They use this information to make good decisions about how to improve the school. The interim executive board and advisors from the local authority provide good support and help to ensure that the judgements and actions of the school’s leaders are accurate and appropriate.”

After School Clubs

We are thrilled to be able to offer a number of different after school clubs for all pupils at Lansdowne School. We have given considerable thought as to the skills that our staff are able to kindly offer, as well as the balance between the after school clubs and the school curriculum.

Drama, chess, art and craft, cookery, football and Maths GCSE revision are all offered. The clubs will take place after school on Thursdays between 3:30pm – 4:15pm. All pupils are invited to attend whichever club they please, although places are limited.

We would ask any parent or carer of Lansdowne pupils to please give permission first for your children to make the most of this fantastic opportunity. A permission slip should hopefully have found its way home. We also need confirmation about collection arrangements, once the clubs have finished.

Many thanks to the staff who are able to offer their time for the Lansdowne after school clubs. This is a feature that we are hopeful of expanding.

Regular weekly school events:

Breakfast Club is from 8:45am each morning.

Mondays, Class 7DL, swimming at Brixton Rec.

Tuesdays, Class 9JP, 10ML, 11RG – Ilderton Motor Project.

Wednesdays, Class 11RG, Southwark College.

Fridays, Year 9, 10 and 11, Southwark Muslim Women’s Association.

Y11 Athletics Video

Year 11 are focussing strongly on athletics as we continue to improve our P.E. work during the summer term. We have been looking at the skills that are required to be part of a successful relay team. The pupils identified that good teamwork is essential – you can’t have a relay team with one star performer who doesn’t help out the other team members.

We have also been concentrating hard on following instructions to help complete various relay exercises. We set up a number of relay challenges during a recent P.E. session. Some of these involved following a complex list of movements and directions.

With the confidence amongst the class members building, we then introduced a relay baton. The pupils were shown the most effective way in which to hand this over. A series of relay races were then carried out with speed and power also being encouraged.

Our athletics work will continue throughout the summer term in Year 11. We will introduce the pupils to other activities, and help them improve the skills that are needed to succeed. You can watch a short video of our Year 11 relay session above.

Year 11

Year 10 Food Tech Video

Year 10 are continuing to explore different foods from around the world. This is part of our topic looking at how food plays an important role in helping to form cultures. We have been looking at the ways in which different countries use food to help create a social setting, as well as the obvious taste differences from region to region.

A recent Food Technology session involved the students designing, preparing and then cooking a chicken tikka masala meal. We wanted to add a slight twist to this theme and so came up with the idea of the Lansdowne School veggie sausage tikka masala!

The pupils were asked to follow a set of instructions to make sure that we prepared our meal in the correct sequence. These included cooking the rice and sausages, preparing the onions and garlic and then making a masala sauce to bind our meal together.

We set different target levels for each pupil during these sessions depending on their ability. Adult help is always at hand, but we encourage our class members to work independently and try and overcome any challenges on their own.

After the Lansdowne veggie sausage tikka masala had been eaten, we invited the pupils to assess their work. Each class member was asked to rate the enjoyment of the meal, and to provide a description of the food in relation to the other cultural meals that we have created. We also looked for improvement – how would each Year 10 pupils change the meal to make it satisfy their own taste preferences? You can watch a video of the Lansdowne veggie tikka masala being cooked above.