Home Key Information/Policies Our School Year Groups Curriculum Parents Remote Learning & Covid Contact 📝 YEAR 7 Year 8 YEAR 9 Miss L Bellamy Head of Year 8 Teacher of Science Mr M Macdonlad Assistant Head of Year 8 Teacher of Mathematics Mr C Morris Teacher of PE / Mathematics Mr J Carter Teacher of English Mrs S Johnson Teacher of English Mr P Merrell Teacher of Mathematics Mrs J Pearce Teacher of Technology Miss M Styles Teacher of Science Please click the image or link to view the document or letter: Y8 Letter Welcome to Year 8 Dear Parent/Carer I am delighted to be Head of Year 8 at Lincoln Castle Academy. It is my aim to support and encourage every student to aim high, dream big and reach their full potential. It has been my privilege to get to know the students throughout year 7 and I have been greatly impressed with the attitude to learning, something which we must work together to maintain as we enter year 8. Year 8 is a crucial time for any student at Lincoln Castle Academy as it marks the year that students make important decisions about their GCSE option choices, which commence in year 9. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that specialist advice, guidance, and time for careful consideration will be provided throughout the year, supporting your child in making the correct option choices to suit them. More information regarding 'Year 8 Options Evening' and 'GCSE taster sessions' will be provided later in the year. I am very proud of the year 8 Curriculum, which has been designed to enthuse, inspire and challenge our students. Skills such as reflection, evaluation and critical analysis will be developed, enabling students the gain the necessary skills to make a positive contribution to society and prepare them for the future. I invite you to take a look at our school website, where you will discover a wealth of useful information about the next chapter in your child's academic journey at the Academy. Each form group is assigned a dedicated 'Form tutor' to work closely alongside students as they move through the Academy. They have daily contact with students and ensure their social, emotional and academic needs are met. When necessary, they may make contact with you as parents/carers, and I would therefore ask that you make them your first port of call should you have any concerns or queries, so your child is supported appropriately. I am honoured to have the chance to represent year 8 students as we move into the new academic year and I am confident that we can all work together to achieve great things. Mrs J Lill Head of Year 8 Message from the Headteacher This is a crucial time in your school life; an important crossroads which requires specialist advice and careful consideration to ensure that the right choices are made. It is also an exciting time. Key Stage 4 offers greater choices, bigger challenges and is a time of remarkable change. As you mature into a young adult, we will support you to achieve your potential and become your best possible self. Our curriculum is designed to inspire and challenge you, whilst also ensuring you develop skills such as team work, reflection, evaluation and study skills. Whether your end goal is university, apprenticeship or employment, we have a long established record of equipping students with the qualities necessary to fulfil their ambitions and make a worthwhile contribution to society. We are proud of our academy and the reputation it has in preparing students for the future but we are also proud of you. Your attitude to learning, humour and your wonderful spirited outlook on life result in a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Visitors to LCA regularly comment on the friendly community feel we have. Working alongside your parents/ carers, we now look forward to developing your talents further as you embark on this thrilling time in your education. Mrs L Laming Headteacher Information for Parents Lincoln Castle Academy is different to many other schools. We feel that students are ready to begin GCSE studies earlier than Year 10, providing them with longer to achieve excellent qualifications. As a result of this, we ask students in Year 8 to make their GCSE choices which actually begin in Year 9. We know that our current year 8 students are ready for the challenge! The curriculum offer for your son/daughter for their KS4 education is both broad and balanced. Our three year Key Stage 4 curriculum is divided into 6 modules of learning. All students must study the following learning modules in Year 9: Core 1, Core 2 - Enterprise and Core 3 - Character. Students then have an element of choice alongside professional judgement across three further options. It is really important that your child makes the choices that are right for them and does not simply do what their friend does. Your child will be asked to make one reserve option choice in case we cannot accommodate them in a particular subject. Please think carefully about this reserve choice as it must be one they are happy to study. In order to maintain a strong academic core which inevitably improves further study and career opportunities, it is mandatory that at least one choice made must consist of either: French, Spanish, History or Geography. Therefore, whilst students do get three ‘free’ choices, in reality one is a choice between four subjects. The Process Dear Parents and Students This booklet has been produced to help your son/daughter make some very important choices at this crucial stage of their educational career. This will be the first of many choices that they will have to make during the course of their educational development. Making decisions as to which subjects they take next year provides a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of the learning pathway that they will follow. Students will need some help and guidance when deciding the most suitable curriculum that will help them achieve their greatest potential. The role which you, play as parents is vital in supporting your child; we ask that you take some time to discuss choices and aspirations with your child. Advice will also come from the academy as well. This will be both formal and informal discussions with your child’s form tutor, subject leaders and also the school’s careers advisor. The learning modules that we offer include some element of choice and ensures that all students follow a broad and balanced curriculum with a strong academic core; we are very proud of our curriculum. Should you require further advice or information, please do not hesitate to contact me at Lincoln Castle Academy via telephone or e-mail via our Contact Form. Yours sincerely Mrs T Wiles Deputy Headteacher Curriculum and Options Guides Year 8 Curriculum Guide KS4 Options Booklet KS4 Options Careers Guide Sheet 2020-2021 Yr 8 Executive Principal Ms J Saw Main Office Ms D Andrews Telephone (01522) 529203 Riseholme Road Lincoln LN1 3SP E-mail Contact Us Privacy Notice © LCA 2021 Harbour Learning Trust, Low Road, Healing, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN41 7QD Tel: 01472 502400 Fax: 01472 502401 www.harbourlearningtrust.com A SiteOrigin Theme English