In this section
English
Head of Department: Mrs R Holder
Overview
English develops students’ skills in a variety of other subject areas. In lessons we aim to develop students’ understanding of the necessary skills needed for effective communication through reading, writing and speaking and listening. In the development of these skills, we endeavour to introduce a wide range of texts, from the literature of Chaucer and Shakespeare to recent tv advertisements, websites and podcasts.
The teaching of English should:
- Be positive, enjoyable and accessible to all
- Provide opportunities to develop pupils’ capacity to think for themselves
- Encourage an enquiring mind, encourage students to take a pride in their studies and to listen to and evaluate other people’s views.
Our classrooms are housed near to the Learning Resources Centre, which has close links with the department. We are well resoucrced, each classroom having a SmartBoard; in addition we have a wide range of resources including video and still cameras, scanners, voting pads, visualisers and two well resourced media editing suites with Apple Macs and Microsoft software.
The department provides a wide range of activities related to English, which have included workshops and tutorials for able and talented students, trips to Poetry Live! for pupils in Key Stage four, ‘Of Mice and Men’ for GCSE students and examiner workshops. Being close to London, we are able to visit the theatre easily; a particularly popular option for our older students.
In the sixth form, English Literature is one of the most popular courses available; approximately 65 students are currently following the course in Years 12 and 13.
KS3 Schemes of Work
The English Key Stage 3 National Curriculum has recently undergone some changes allowing schools a greater flexibility to tailor learning to the needs of their students.
At Key Stage 3, students study English for six hours per fortnight. All schemes of work covered are designed to be flexible and include opportunities for all abilities to achieve their best.
Across the Key Stage, students are introduced to a diverse range of texts, including multi-modal information, which enables them to explore how meaning is generated through a variety of forms and to begin to consider the way in which writers intentionally shape our thoughts through their use of language, content and structure. Students will learn how to improve their reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills, develop observational skills and the ability to analyse work in a variety of media. In Year 9, there is a greater focus on independent thinking and the application of knowledge.
Some of the Units of Work studied include:
Year 7
• Christmas Unit - a collection of poetry and prose.
• Travel writing.
• Theatre unit.
Year 8
• Short stories and creative writing.
• Advertising in the media.
• Information texts: Designing a webpage.
• Speech writing.
Year 9
• Different voices-fiction
• Different voices non-fiction
• Poetry from other cultures (GCSE Preparation)
• In-house examination to gain their final National Curriculum level to mark the end of the Key Stage.
There are regular assessments throughout the year (approximately 3 - 4 per half term) to monitor pupils’ progress and allow for teacher intervention where necessary. The texts selected at Key Stage 3 ensure that there is an emphasis on the enjoyment factor which is, in turn, designed to keep pupils motivated and wanting to learn more when studying this core subject.
GCSE Course(s) Overview
At Key Stage 4 students begin their study of GCSE English. All students undertake study for both the GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature qualifications*. The department follow the programme of study with WJEC.
In Year 10 students follow the programme of study for English Language. Throughout this course, students develop close reading skills of fiction and non-fiction, as well as their writing skills of fiction and non-fiction. Students take the English Examination in the November of Year 11. The examination makes up 60% of the overall English Language grade and is structured in the following way:
Paper 1 (2 hours): Section A - Reading response to a piece of fiction.
Section B: - Two writing tasks:
· One to inform/explain/describe
· One t o explore/imagine/entertain
Paper 2 (2 hours): Section A – Reading response to non-fiction and media texts
Section B: - Two writing tasks:
· One to argue/persuade/advise
· One to analyse/review/comment
The coursework component of the English Language qualification, worth 40% of the overall grade is structured in the following way:
Written Coursework: 20%
- Reading: Play by Shakespeare (this can also be submitted as English Literature coursework)
- Reading: Poetry from different cultures and traditions (this can also be submitted as English Literature coursework)
- Writing: Either to inform/explain/describe OR explore/imagine/entertain
- Writing: Either to argue/persuade/advise OR analyse/review/comment
Speaking and Listening: 20%
- Extended individual contribution
- Group discussion and interaction
- Drama focused activities
In Year 11 students continue their study of English Literature. Throughout this course, students develop analytical reading skills of works of literature. Students take the English Literature Examination in the Summer of Year 11. The examination makes up 70% of the overall English Literature grade and is structured in the following way:
Written Paper (2.5 hours):
- Section A – Responses to Prose text studied in class (30%).
- Section B – Responses to Drama text studied in class (30%).
- Section C - Responses to Poetry text studied in class (10%).
The coursework component of the English Literature qualification, worth 30% of the overall grade is structured in the following way:
Written Coursework: 30%
- Poetry: Pre-1914 work
- Poetry: Post-1914 work (this can also be submitted as English Language coursework)
- Prose: Post-/Pre-1914 text.
- Drama: Post-/Pre-1914 text (this can also be submitted as English Language coursework)
Past Papers are given to students and students have regular assessments to monitor their progress throughout the two years.
* Some groups may study Media Studies rather than English Literature, depending on ability.
AS/A Level Course(s) Overview
The English department offers AS/A2 English Literature. English Literature is a popular subject within the Sixth Form, which helps to develop students’ understanding of other subjects and the wider world and offers students a variety of options after completing A Levels. Students are expected to work independently outside the classroom and use textbooks, film and websites to improve their understanding.
AS/A Level Exam Boards Used
Students studying A Level English Literature complete the following modules all with AQA examination board (Specification B):
AS
Unit 1: LITB1 Aspects of Narrative
Unit 2: LITB2 Dramatic Genres (Tragedy) Coursework
A2
Unit 3: LITB3 Texts and Genres (Elements of the Gothic or Elements of the Pastoral)
Unit 4: LITB4 Further and Independent Reading Coursework
There are two pieces of written coursework for AS and two pieces for A2 English Literature. Students take modules in January and May/June.
All students are encouraged to buy their own texts to assist them with the course.
