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