Year Group Learning Information
This section has been developed in partnership with the Mearns Academy Parent Council (MAPC). While our young people experience and understand their learning in class, it was felt that parents and carers would benefit from having clearer information to help support learning at home.
Each Faculty has produced a very short overview outlining:
What pupils are covering each term
How support can be given at home
Key deadlines to be aware of
These are intended as brief snapshots rather than detailed guides. More comprehensive information is always available through course notes and Google Classroom.
We hope you find these overviews useful in supporting conversations at home with your child. Often, when a young person is asked “What did you do at school today?” the answer might simply be “nothing.” Our aim is that these updates will provide prompts to encourage richer discussions about their learning.
Topic Aug-Oct
Section taken from the Novel “Boy” By Roald Dahl.
Personal Reflective Writing
Close Reading skills
Reading School Personal Reading / Accelerated Reader tasks
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Support Reading School by asking young person to read for an additional 10 minutes every day.
Check google classroom for unfinished tasks of classwork.
Useful external resources
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/great-books-for-children-starting-secondary-school
Key Deadlines
Close Reading – August
Personal creative writing – September
Topic
Performing
· Voice and Tuned Percussion
Learners will have the opportunity to perform music individually and as part of a group demonstrating accuracy within each performance. Learners will also be introduced to ways in which to read music including treble clef notation. Through performance directions, include dynamic markings, learners will explore mood and character within a piece of music.
Understanding Music
· Pitch
Learners will consider the importance of the musical elements and how they impact upon our understanding of music and the ability to perform. Learners will also be encouraged to use music vocabulary to regularly reflect upon their strengths and areas for improvement.
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Learners are encouraged at all stages, levels and abilities to enjoy performing at home should they have access to any instruments. This will always be supported by class teachers.
Useful external resources
Voice
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkbnb7h#z8gsg2p
Pitch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bv-JiFnoJ
How melody and pitch work in music? - BBC Bitesize
Key Deadlines
Voice Assessment: Tuesday 19th August 2025 – Friday 29th August 2025
Tuned Percussion Assessment: Monday 8th September 2025 – Friday 26th September 2025
We Got Rhythm Assessment: Week Beginning Monday 29th September 2025
Topic
Leonardo Da Vinci
Learners will develop their drawing skills by exploring the life and work of renowned artist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci.
Skills
Observational drawing, tonal and coloured pencil studies.
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Learners are encouraged at all stages, levels and abilities to pursue drawing/painting/designing at home should they have access to any materials or resources. This will always be supported by class teachers.
Useful external resources
Leonardo Da Vinci:
The Last Supper Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKyYPSpiC9g
The Mona Lisa Explained:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElWG0_kjy_Y
Key Deadlines
Stippling Bug (Observational Drawing) Assessment:
End of Term 1
Subject
Physical Education
Topic
Touch Rugby
SAL: Kinaesthetic Awareness
I can……….
1. Key Skills: execute the key skills in rugby with precision and control during drills and games.
2. Positions: use my skills to effectively attack and defend.
3. Movement Skills: use my movement skills effectively when in/ out of possession during drills and games.
4. Kinaesthetic Awareness: scan the area around me and move accordingly to remain onside.
5. Rules & Etiquette: follow the correct rules of rugby, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.
Netball
SAL: Communication
I can……….
1. Key Skills: execute the key skills in netball with precision and control during drills and games.
2. Positions: use my skills to effectively play a range of different positions in netball.
3. Movement Skills: use my movement skills effectively when in/ out of possession during drills and games.
4. Communication: communicate clearly with my teammates using verbal and non verbal actions.
5. Rules & Etiquette: follow the correct rules of netball, displaying good etiquette and sportsmanship throughout whilst keeping the score.
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Encourage pupils to attend extra-curricular activities.
Speak to pupils about the activities they’re working on in class and how they’re performing in relation to the 5 ‘I can’ assessment areas outlined above.
Useful external resources
Watch live sport on TV or YouTube to develop understanding of game.
Key Deadlines
Pupil Self Evaluation Form to be completed in class last 2 weeks of term.
Year/Class/Level - S1
Subject - Home Economics
Topic - Exploring Home Economics
I can………
Use the claw and the bridge to prepare foods safely and with precision
Use a peeler and grater confidently and safely
Prepare foods hygienically and clean up following the washing-up routine
Work effectively with my partner
Identify hazards and risks and apply these when working in the H.E. class.
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Encourage pupils to wash-up at home following the washing-up routine (see Google Classroom).
Involve pupils in food preparation at home, when possible – e.g. peeling, slicing, grating.
Useful external resources
Watch cookery programmes on TV to see kitchen organisation in practice.
Key Deadlines
Pupils first ‘practical’ lesson is during w/b 15th September. All pupils should bring their own apron and a container to take food home in when cooking.
Topic
S1 Transition Project
Algebra 1
Multiples & Factors
Powers & Primes
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Reviewing work completed in jotters, and lessons shared on google classroom.
Support with BGE Pupil Learning Log pre/post assessment checklists on google classroom.
Useful external resources
The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6vg9j6
https://corbettmaths.com/contents/
Key Deadlines
End of topic Assessments for Algebra 1, Multiples & Factors, and Powers & Primes.
Class teachers will give at least 7 days notice for any assessment, and encourage pupils to complete pre assessment checklist on google classroom.
Topic: The Band Project
Aim: to invent a member of a band, describe them in French, learn the description and present the band member, along with 2 or 3 others in a band, to the rest of the class… all in French.
Vocab covered:
Skills:
Basic introductions
Hair and eye descriptions
Likes and dislikes
Music
Instruments
Piercings and tattoos
Personality
Grammar:
Introduction to complete verbs
Using subject pronouns other than je e.g., il / elle
Negatives
Adjective agreements
Speaking assessment at the end of the unit
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Ask your child read their description to you.
Encourage your child to listen to their recording (made by teacher).
Help them memorise their Speaking assessment.
Useful external resources
www.linguascope.com (username and password provided to pupils)
Google classroom
Key Deadlines
October holidays
Topic
1. Introducing Religion, Morals and Philosophy
2. Judaism - Synagogues
How Can Help Be Given At Home
We will need:
1. a box to be our synagogue. Shoebox size
2. clean junk and recycling to put inside (egg boxes, card, yogurt pots, lids, paper, sticks)
Useful external resources
Level 3 https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zb3f2sg
Level 1 and 2
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zsdhtrd
Key Deadlines
Assessment will be the synagogue model. deadline set as class reach appropriate completion point.
Note – all S1 and S2 RME assessments are open book, to encourage strong note taking.
Topic
This term we will be covering our Biology Unit dealing with concepts around Cells and Life.
Classes will also engage in wider skills-based science eg measuring, researching and investigating.
How Can Help Be Given At Home
Speak to the young person about their learning.
Ask them to show you Google Classroom and ensure they are using these resources to consolidate learning.
Useful external resources
The pupil can find extra help with this topic using the following external links:
Google Classroom
BBC Bitesize
ClickView
Key Deadlines
Open Book Creative Piece – Mid unit
Investigation write up – Mid unit
Topic
In S1 Social Subjects pupils complete a rota system where learners study History, Geography and Modern Studies.
This term sees all S1 pupils study History until 21/11/25. In History pupils study key events in Scottish History and learn about the impact of the Celts and Romans on Scotland/Britain. Learners also study the Wars of Independence between Scotland and England.
How Can Help Be Given at Home
Check homework deadlines and assessment dates on the relevant google classroom page. Your child will have been added to their Social Subject page.
Use the websites below to support your child in their learning of S1 History.
Useful external resources
https://www.digitscotland.com/who-were-the-celts/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z2dr4wx#zj89kty
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrbs2sg
Key Deadlines
Your child will complete a final assessment on S1 History between 10/11/25 – 21/11/25.
Learners will also complete two assessment pieces in History over the next 10 weeks.
Topic
Technical – Broad General Education (BGE)
Over the course of the academic year pupils in S1 will rotate between a period of BGE Technical led by a Technical teacher and a period led by a teacher of Art & Design.
Depending on class rotation, some pupils will begin with the Ice Scraper Design & Make project and others will begin with the Chalk Board make project.
Ice Scraper Design & Make Project [Art Led]
Pupils will design and make a functional ice scraper. They will be introduced to key aspects of the design process, developing their own ideas through sketching and idea exploration to arrive at a final solution. Once their design is complete, they will move on to manufacture their product using acrylic.
This project gives pupils the opportunity to learn practical skills such as:
Developing and exploring design ideas to solve a problem
Cutting, shaping and finishing acrylic
Safe use of hand tools and machine tools
Chalkboard Make Project [Technical Led]
Pupils will manufacture a chalkboard using pine. This hands-on, practical task introduces pupils to essential woodworking skills and safe working practices in the workshop.
Throughout the project, pupils will learn to:
Measure and mark out wood accurately
Cut and shape pine using hand tools and selected machines
Understand and apply health and safety procedures in a workshop setting
Assemble wooden components
Apply finishing techniques to enhance and protect their final product
This project not only builds practical skills, but also encourages care, precision, and responsibility when working with tools and materials.
How Can Help Be Given At Home
A Google Classroom has been set up for S1 Technical classes [code: dyrkgd6x].
On the Classroom, you’ll find a copy of the pupil booklet used in class. This can be a great resource to help you talk with your child about their design ideas [Ice Scraper], the materials they are working with, and the steps involved in the project.
You will also find the Technical BGE Assessment Grids used to assign marks and provide pupils with specific feedback on their strengths and areas for development. By reviewing these assessment grids, pupils can see why they received their marks and what steps they can take to improve their grade in future work. This supports ongoing learning and encourages pupils to take ownership of their progress.
In addition, revision materials for the class test—taking place in early October—will also be available on Google Classroom. Going over these materials together at home can help reinforce key concepts and support your child’s confidence and preparation for the test.
Useful external resources
BBC Bitesize further study:
Design & Manufacture: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zyfb87h
Key Deadlines
Ice Scraper/Chalkboard Assessment: w/b 6th October 2025