EnglishMiss Hayley Batten | Head of English
The English department seeks to enrich our students’ ability to think creatively and critically, to communicate their ideas with confidence and coherence, and to cultivate a deeper understanding of language and literature, through personal engagement and enjoyment.
Our curriculum from Year 7 through to Year 13 is designed to promote excellence within all three skills areas of reading, writing and spoken communication. We place value on encouraging students to ‘read for pleasure’ and to explore different types of literature in weekly library lessons and regularly at home. Students study a variety of stimulating texts in order to learn how to analyse and evaluate writers’ ideas and techniques; this also serves to enhance their own skills in creative and transactional writing. Our students develop a critical understanding of how meaning is shaped both in works from our broad literary heritage and in non-fiction texts; this allows students to form a better understanding of the world around them and makes them more aware of contextual factors in human history. Throughout KS3 and KS4 we place importance on the development of skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar and encourage students to keep developing their vocabulary. Through a variety of teaching and learning styles, the English Department engenders a creative approach to developing ideas, making connections and finding solutions, and promotes both independent enquiry and collaborative work. Lessons are designed to engage and challenge, allowing students of all aptitudes the opportunity to employ a range of communication strategies, which support their cross-curricular achievement and provide an excellent skills base for lifelong learning, success and personal satisfaction. Click here for suggested reading for students in yrs 9 to 11 Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 Outline Plan English What will my child learn in English at KS3? In general terms, your child will learn how to read a wide range of modern and classic texts, and use the knowledge from these texts to improve their own writing. In addition, your child will develop their ability to pick effective and convincing evidence from a text to support their ideas and arguments. What is my child studying in Year 7? Your child follows a broad curriculum in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses as soon as possible. Following a successful trial last year, Year 7 begins with a collaborative unit with pupils in the role of forensic linguistic detectives. After the first break, we study a unit on the Gothic. Poetry and persuasive writing follow the December break and we finish the year with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a class novel or play. It may be that your child’s class follows a slightly different order. Class teachers will both integrate and teach explicit grammar lessons. We also use software to assist pupils who have been identified as needing additional support with their literacy. What is my child studying in Year 8? We begin the year with a class novel (Trash by Andy Mulligan) and nature poetry. We then take two short terms studying a selection of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry on the topic of Survival. The final two short terms are spent studying Shakespeare’s The Tempest and a selection of extracts from Victorian writers, such as Bram Stoker and Jules Verne. Class teachers will both integrate and teach explicit grammar lessons. We also use software to assist pupils who have been identified as needing additional support with their literacy. What is my child studying in Year 9? We begin to prepare students more explicitly for their public exams, beginning with a study of Conflict Poetry and extracts from Dickens’ novels. After the winter break, pupils study a selection of fiction, non-fiction and poetry on the topic of Journeys. This selection covers a range of centuries and locations, in line with GCSE texts. We finish the year with an American novel (usually Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck) and the GCSE poetry anthology, honing their literary analysis and comparison skills. How is English at KS3 taught? English at KS3 is taught through a variety of individual, pair, and group work. As well as developing your child’s written work, teachers enhance pupils’ oracy by setting presentations and role-plays. Class teachers will both integrate and teach explicit grammar lessons. We also use software to assist pupils who have been identified as needing additional support with their literacy. Activities outside the classroom are delivered on a year by year basis. In the past, we have run: poetry workshops, a storytelling masterclass with Oxford University, trips to West End theatres, and collaborative sessions with Radley College. Our pupils are regularly successful in creative writing competitions, such as those run by Rotary International. How is English at KS3 assessed?
Year 7 topics 1: Forensic Linguistics 2: Introduction to the Gothic 3: Introduction to Poetry 4: Persuasive Writing 5: Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 6: Class Novel or Play Year 8 Topics 1: Trash by Andy Mulligan 2: Nature Poetry 3: Survival 4: Survival 5: Shakespeare: The Tempest 6: Introduction to Victorian Fiction Year 9 topics 1: Conflict poetry 2: Focus on Dickens 3: Journeys 4: Journeys 5: North American Fiction 6: Introduction to GCSE Poetry What resources will support my child’s learning? www.quizlet.com Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for KS3 – Workbook (with answers) (CGP KS3 English) ISBN: 978-1782941170 New KS3 English Complete Study & Practice (with Online Edition) (CGP KS3 English) ISBN: 978-1847621566 KS3 English All-in-One Revision and Practice (Collins KS3 Revision) ISBN: 978-0007562817 How can I support my child at home?
Why does my child have to read at home? Reading fiction is vital for your child’s development. We strongly recommend that your child reads for a minimum of 20 minutes every day. It is even more beneficial if an adult reads with them to check understanding and to answer any questions. Regular reading has been shown to increase children’s ability and progress across all subjects. Are there any reading lists?
How can my child prepare for assessments and school exams? Teachers will give instructions on Show My Homework on how to prepare for assessments but as a general guide your child should be reading widely, responding to teacher feedback, and using Quizlet to improve their vocabulary, terminology, and cultural literacy. Key Stage 4
What will my child learn in English? Your child will study courses in English Language and English Literature, leading to two GCSE qualifications. The English Language specification refines the reading and writing skills they will have developed during their KS3 studies. What examination board does English follow? AQA GCSE English Language http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700 AQA GCSE English Literature http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702 How is GCSE assessed? English Language Component 1 – 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing SECTION A Reading (20%): Students will be required to demonstrate understanding of one prose extract (about 60-100 lines) of literature from the 20th century assessed through a range of structured questions. SECTION B: Writing (20%): Students will complete one creative writing task selected from a choice of four titles. The duration of the exam is 1 hour 45 mins Component 2 – 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional/Persuasive Writing SECTION A Reading (30%): Students will be required to demonstrate understanding of two extracts (about 900-1200 words in total) of high-quality non-fiction writing, one from the 19th century, the other from the 21st century, assessed through a range of structured questions, including the ability to compare different texts. SECTION B Writing (30%): Students will complete two compulsory transactional/persuasive writing tasks. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. What resources will support my child’s learning? Oxford (Michelle Doran) WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language textbooks – workbooks and revision guides available English Literature Component 1: Shakespeare and Poetry SECTION A Shakespeare (A (20%): Students will complete one extract question and one essay question based on the reading of a Shakespeare text Candidates are not permitted to take copies of the set texts into the examination. SECTION B Poetry from 1789 to the present day (20%): Students will complete two questions based on poems from the WJEC Eduqas Poetry Anthology, one of which involves comparison. Students will be provided with a copy of the anthology for use during the course. Candidates are not permitted to take copies of the set texts into the examination. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. Component 2: Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry: SECTION A Post-1914 Prose/Drama (20%): Students will complete one source-based question on a post 1914 prose/drama text SECTION B 19th Century Prose (20%): Students will complete one source-based question on a 19th century prose text SECTION C Unseen Poetry from the 20th/21st Century (20%): Students will complete two questions on unseen poems, one of which involves comparison. Candidates are not permitted to take copies of the set texts into the examination. The duration of the exam is 2 hours 30 mins. What resources will support my child’s learning? In September, students will be advised to purchase copies of all set texts (apart from the anthology) – set texts often change, so parents will be informed on an annual basis as to which particular texts will be studied. Two of the confirmed texts for 2020/21 are The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley. If your son would like to do some prior reading, then we recommend the versions below. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jekyll-Hyde-Annotation-Friendly-Schools-GCSE/dp/1979366535/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DWXKWRVKESPM&dchild=1&keywords=jekyll+and+hyde+annotation+friendly&qid=1594979155&sprefix=jekyll+and+hyde+annotation+%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inspector-Calls-Annotation-Friendly-J-Priestley/dp/1909608408/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24HBX1XBTRGPE&dchild=1&keywords=an+inspector+calls+annotation+friendly&qid=1594979298&sprefix=an+inspector+calls+%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1 We would also advise students to purchase a revision guide for each set text – CGP and York Notes versions are of good quality Key Stage 5
A Level English Language and Literature The Eduqas A level in English language and literature encourages learners to develop their interest and enjoyment of English as they:
This specification is designed to promote the integrated study of English language and English literature. It enables learners to develop intellectual maturity through exploring a range of literary and non-literary texts, including the Eduqas English Language and Literature Poetry Pre-1914 Anthology. Through their reading, learners are able to develop the skills required to interrogate texts, be critically reflective, consider other viewpoints, be independent, make connections across a range of texts and to understand and evaluate the effects of a variety of contexts. This specification also gives learners opportunities to deepen their enjoyment of English language and literature both through reading and through creating their own texts. Fundamental to the course as a whole, learners will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to apply linguistic and literary methodologies and concepts to inform their responses to and interpretations of texts. What examination board does English follow? Eduqas A Level English Language and Literature http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/english-language-and-literature/ How is A level assessed? Component 1: Poetry and Prose (Written examination – 2 hours – 30%) SECTION A: Poetry (open-book, clean copy) One question from a choice of two based on the Eduqas English Language and Literature Pre -1914 Poetry Anthology plus an unseen text published post-1914 SECTION B: Prose (open-book, clean copy) One question from a choice of two, presented in two parts, based on the reading of a prose fiction text from a prescribed list Component 2: Drama (Written examination – 2 hours – 30%) SECTION A: Shakespeare (closed-book) One compulsory extract-based task and one essay question from a choice of two based on the reading of a Shakespeare play from a prescribed list SECTIONB: Post-1900 Drama (closed-book) One question from a choice of two based on the reading of one play from a prescribed list. Component 3: Non-Literary Texts (Written examination – 2 hours – 20%) SECTION A: Comparative analysis of spoken non-literary texts: Comparative analysis of three unseen spoken language non-literary texts SECTION B: Non-literary text study (closed-book): One two-part question based on the reading of a non-literary text selected from a prescribed list Component 4: Critical and Creative Genre Study (Non-exam assessment – 3200-3500 words – 20%) SECTION A: Genre Study – A critical and sustained study of a prose genre SECTION B: Related Creative Writing – Two writing assignments (one literary/one non-literary) Curriculum Maps
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