English

English at Key Stage 3

The Key Stage 3 curriculum aims to encourage reading and improve writing skills in line with the National Curriculum requirements. It has been structured to provide a wide variety of texts, writing skills and Speaking and Listening opportunities. Each unit includes a grammar and skills focus and also provides the opportunities to explore spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues: this may address subjects such as racism, sexism, disability, significance of historical context and topical issues.

Pupils will complete an assessment each term and at least two Author Studies throughout the year. The English Key Stage 3 curriculum promotes enjoyment, creates challenge and adequately prepares pupils for the demands of the new GCSE requirements.

YEAR 7

1/2 Term1: Short story unit

1/2 Term 2: Study a novel and complete an Author Study

1/2 Term 3: Shocking Shakespeare unit

1/2 Term 4: Gothic literature unit

1/2 Term 5: Poetry unit

1/2 Term 6: How texts are structured to interest the reader/ exam preparation

YEAR 8

1/2 Term 1: Study a novel and complete an Author study

1/2 Term 2: Poetry through the ages

1/2 Term 3: Noughts and Crosses - play

1/2 Term 4: Survival unit

1/2 Term 5: Grammar play scheme- Argument

1/2 Term 6: Unseen extracts/revision/exam preparation

YEAR 9

Term 1: An Inspector Calls

Term 2: Macbeth

Term 3: Power and Conflict poetry

Term 4: A Christmas Carol and Macbeth revision

Term 5: Language paper 2 Writing/Reading and An Inspector Calls revision

Term 6: Language paper 1 Writing/Reading and A Christmas Carol revision

English at Key Stage 4

From September 2015 year 10 pupils will study for two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature, following the AQA course. This course is designed to build on the skills pupils have developed throughout Key Stage 3 and to prepare them for progression to Key Stage 5.

The course is assessed entirely by terminal exams at the end of year 11. (Note: there is no longer any Controlled Assessment or Coursework element to the course)

Pupils will study the following:

A Shakespeare play
A modern play or novel
A 19^th Century novel
A selection of poetry
A range of 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Century fiction and non-fiction extracts
Descriptive and Narrative writing
Writing to present a point of view

Please contact Mrs E Millard for further information.

The English department promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This is addressed throughout key stage 4 in the following ways:

Exploring texts from different cultural heritages
Discussion and debate on topical issues
Analysing current affairs using print based media and the internet
Discussion of moral and social ethics
Analysis of characters and their motives

Promoting Reading and Writing

The English Department are committed to encouraging imaginative writing, reading and the enjoyment of literary texts. To this end we:

Organise theatre trips for pleasure and to support study of set texts
Run a reading club and have set up a blog for students to share their reading experiences
Encourage wider reading through the 'Rooted in Reading' programme
Promote writing competitions
Hold a poetry festival each year in year 7