To deliver an engaging and diverse curriculum which enables students of all abilities to enjoy and achieve. Our students will be given opportunities to explore a wide variety of literary and non-literary texts and to develop an appreciation of a writer’s craft. Through a varied programme of enrichment activities, we aim to provide a full experience of English Literature and Language and to celebrate all that the subjects have to offer.

Key Stage 3

 

How are students assessed at Key Stage 3?

Assessments: Throughout KS3 pupils have assessment criteria that they need to work through. These are split into seven assessment objectives that develop skills and prepare pupils for KS4. Each scheme of work provides the opportunity for pupils to develop and refine these skills. Each scheme of work is also based around topics that pupils will study at GCSE level, giving them valuable experience in each area and an insight of what is expected of them at KS4. Pupils are given a GCSE target grade based on their KS2 SAT scores. A flightpath has been created which means pupils have to aim for this target grade each academic year to eventually achieve this grade or above in their GCSE results.

Levelled work will be marked regularly to assess the development of skills and identify areas that need development. Each term there will be a standardised levelled assessment to measure pupil progress and indicate if pupils are achieving their targets.

Library Lessons and Homework: Pupils have a library lesson once a fortnight to explicitly teach reading skills and promote independent reading. Pupils are given differentiated homework tasks every fortnight based on their reading. As pupils are reading age appropriate texts they are expected to read at least a novel per half term as part of their homework. This will be regulated through library lessons and evidenced through homework tasks.

Setting: Pupils are set in mixed ability classes throughout KS3 apart from a separate higher ability class in each year that are given more challenging and complex material for more advanced skills. These sets are regularly reviewed. Pupils who need additional support will receive it in their mixed ability class.

 Key Stage 4

How are students assessed at Key Stage 4?

Pupils will complete an English Language and an English Literature GCSE, both assessed by 100% examination at the end of Y11. Throughout Y10 pupils will study the English Literature course whilst practising English Language skills which have been integrated into schemes of work along the way. In Y11 pupils will study the English Language course whilst regularly revising the Literature course. This delivery allows quality revision time to refine skills and ensure pupils are thoroughly prepared for their examinations.

In Y10 pupils will be formally assessed and levelled every term on the relevant Literature texts studied. They will also sit a Literature Paper 1 trial exam at the end of the academic year. Throughout the year levelled work will be marked regularly to assess the development of skills and identify areas that need development.

In Y11 pupils will be formally assessed and levelled through trial exams for both Language and Literature every term. Throughout the year levelled work will be marked regularly to assess the development of skills and identify areas that need development.

Key Stage 4 homework is set weekly for at least an hour. The homework depends entirely on what pupils are studying at the time but will mostly consist of exam preparation and revision tasks.

At Key Stage 4 pupils are grouped based on ability, progress at KS3 and their minimum expected grade. Groupings are regularly reviewed.

4) Enrichment/Extension Activities

- List clubs/activities/visits that happen in the faculty

Clubs and Activities:

Film Club
Creative Writing Club
Debating Society
BBC News Report
Carnegie Shadowing Group
Study Support
Homework Club
Library Sessions

Trips:

Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Harry Potter Studios
BBC Weather Report
Theatre Trips
Cinema Trips
Film Festivals
Reward Trips
Debating Competitions
Guest Speakers
Off Site Revision Days
University Days

Careers information/next step information?

Leaping into Language - Moving from GCSE to A Level

Preparing to study English Literature at A Level

Making the Leap - Moving from GCSE to A Level study

 

Skills in English are vital in any chosen career. The ability to read, write and communicate effectively is essential for any employer and colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeships require pupils to achieve a higher grade pass in English to be accepted onto the courses that they offer. Examples of careers which are particularly centred around English skills are…

Journalism

Lawyer/Solicitor

Writer

Editor/Proof reader

Teacher

Counsellor

Interpreter

Linguist

Politician

Actor

Copywriter

Film Industry

Scholar

Marketing/Advertising

Curator

Public Speaking

Business Management

Public Relations

Minister

Estate Agent

Next Step Post-16 Courses:

AS/A2 English Language

AS/A2 English Literature

AS/A2 English Combined

AS/A2 Media Studies

AS/A2 Film Studies

AS/A2 Creative Writing

TEFL

Next Step Post-18 Courses:

A range of courses are available at degree and diploma level, for example…

BA (HONS) English Studies

BA (HONS) English Language/Literature

BA (HONS) English and Film Studies

BA (HONS) English and Creative Writing

 

Contact Information

Chris Gates
Learning Director for English and Media
Reading Across the Curriculum
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Emily Atkinson
Deputy Learning Director for English
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