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Stewards Academy

Stewards Academy

Science Specialist

English Language

Subject Intent

The study of English underpins all subjects and has a pre-eminent place in society. All the skills are integral to participating fully as a member of society and help them progress in the wider world of employment. A high quality and enriching education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently, so that they can communicate their ideas in a developed and articulate way. Through reading, pupils have the opportunity to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and socially and reading for pleasure is encouraged across all year groups. The study of English is a study of what it is to be a human being in the wider world, where emotions, thoughts and views are expressed in the classroom environment as well as through the literature texts we use.

Aims

The overarching aim for English is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word. We aim to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for pleasure. The curriculum for both English Language and Literature aims to ensure that all pupils:
  • Read easily, fluently and with good understanding of a range of fiction and non-fiction texts
  • Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language and write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language choices and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
  • Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain their understanding and ideas clearly
  • Use their lessons to become more independent, creative and foster a desire for learning, so that they may contribute to an ever-evolving society and be prepared for the world of work

Key Stage 3

Our curriculum at Key Stage 3 is designed to prepare students for their GCSEs whilst also developing a life-long love for learning. We want students to develop the mutually enhancing skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in equal measure, as well as experiencing an inspiring range of texts in different forms, including a contemporary novel, 19th Century fiction, Shakespearean plays and poetry. 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. Everyone in the English Department has a genuine enthusiasm for the subject, which we hope to convey to our students.

 

Year 7 Unit Titles

Year 8 Unit Titles
  • Telling Tales
  • Wild Boy
  • Nature Poetry
  • Frankenstein (play text)
  • Food, Glorious Food
  • Shakespearience – an introduction to Shakespeare
  • Dystopian Fiction
  • Conflict Poetry
  • Contemporary Novel (TBC)
  • The Museum of My Life
  • The Tempest

 

 Brief description of the departments homework policy for pupils in year 7+8

All students are expected to learn weekly spellings and to read independently for 30 minutes every day to improve their understanding of writers’ craft, to gain a wider range of vocabulary and to develop their imagination. Students are also expected to learn from a Knowledge Organiser that is progressed in line with their lessons.

Year 7 Homework Tasks

Year 8  Homework Tasks
  • Knowledge Organiser
  • Weekly spellings linked to the topic being studied
  • Read Theory
  • Knowledge Organiser
  • Weekly spellings linked to the topic being studied
  • Read Theory

 

 

Key Stage 4

Within their English Language GCSE lessons, students will be taught how to analyse, evaluate and compare a range of texts including: 19th century fiction and 20th-21st century non-fiction. Pupils are assessed on the quality of their speaking ability in an in-class examination known as the SLE (Spoken Language Endorsement). Some pupils also have the opportunity to be selected to undertake the Entry Level English Programme.

The following information has been taken from the Pearson website. For more information about this GCSE please click the link below:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/english-language-2015.html

Component 1:  19th Century Fiction and Imaginative Writing Paper = 40% of the total GCSE

Overview of content:

  • Study selections from a range of prose fiction.
  • Develop skills to analyse and evaluate 19th-century fiction extracts.
  • Develop imaginative writing skills to engage the reader.
  • Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

Overview of assessment:

  • Section A – Reading: questions on an unseen 19th-century fiction extract.
  • Section B – Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to the reading extract.

 

Component 2: 20th and 21st Century Non-fiction and Transactional Writing Paper = 60% of the total GCSE

Overview of content:

  • Study a range of 20th- and 21st-century non-fiction texts (including literary non-fiction).
  • Develop skills to analyse, evaluate and compare non-fiction extracts.
  • Develop transactional writing skills for a variety of forms, purposes and audiences.
  • Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

Overview of assessment:

  • Section A – Reading: questions on two thematically linked, unseen non-fiction extracts.
  • Section B – Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to the reading extracts.

 

Examinations                

Pupils will sit two external examinations:

Component 1: 19th Century Fiction and Imaginative Writing – 1 hour and 45 minutes = 64 marks

Component 2: 20th and 21st Century Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing – 2 hours and 5 minutes = 96 marks

Pupils will also have a speaking and listening examination which will be completed and marked internally by class teachers.

 

GCSE English Language Homework

GCSE English Language homework could include:

  • PPE revision using mark schemes and model answers
  • Imaginative or transactional writing exercises
  • Reading non-fiction texts
  • Creating questions based on texts
  • Practising reading questions for both exams
  • Preparing for the SLE examination
  • Private reading of a fiction text of their choice

Homework is set by the class teacher onto our online homework platform Class Charts. Additional hand-outs may be attached as a soft copy or students may given hard copies of resources.

Interventions and revision sessions will run throughout the year. Your son/daughter will be notified if they are expected to attend.

 

 

  1. English Five Year Subject Map Language and Literature Extended Information

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