English
Our principle aim is to inspire our students and create a love for English. We aim to develop our students holistically, preparing them for the modern world.
We have an exciting and challenging curriculum that is designed to enable our students to appreciate the varied richness of language and literature, to stimulate their curiosity and their enjoyment of the subject while making individual progress.
Key Stage 3
Through the study of a range of challenging novels, plays and poetry, we endeavour to raise the expectations of all our students so that they each fulfil their potential and achieve their very best. Pupils learn to closely analyse a variety of texts, write creatively and make contextual links. We choose texts that cover a breadth of authors from the literary canon and more modern writers who we believe reflect the broad diversity of the students that we teach.
What will students learn?
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
|
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
|
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
|
How will students be assessed?
Students’ learning is varied with a focus each year on project based assessment as well as extended writing outcomes.
At the end of each unit of work, students will sit a summative assessment. They will receive individual feedback with clear targets based on their age-related level.
In each unit of work, lessons include opportunities for students to develop their reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. All of which are formally assessed at GCSE.
Key Stage 4
English in Year 10 and 11 is taught in mixed ability groups, apart from a top set group. Support is provided for all, with clear differentiated lessons, regular stretch and challenge tasks and targeted intervention offered as appropriate. At GCSE, we use the AQA examining board which offers two GCSEs: English Language and Literature. All students complete both GCSEs along with a Spoken Language Endorsement.
What will students learn?
|
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
|
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
|
How is the course assessed?
The syllabus is exam-based, so there is an emphasis on close-reading and committing key themes, ideas and quotations to memory.
Students sit four exams at the end of Year 11 which results in two separate GCSE grades: English Language and English Literature.
Students sit an end of unit assessment for each element of the course for which they are given both formative and summative feedback. In Year 11, students have fortnightly assessment rehearsals which aim to build confidence and resilience in exam conditions.