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:
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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.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, Stewards Academy aims to inspire, challenge and support all students in their journey between primary school (KS2) and their GCSEs (KS4). They will develop crucial skills in reading and exploring both fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as producing their own original writing.
English encompasses English Literature, with speaking and listening, reading, and writing activities incorporated into a fully integrated programme. Emphasis is placed upon a broad and varied programme of study, including: creative writing, prose, modern novels, transactional writing, non-fiction and 19th Century fiction.
In Year 7, students will explore the following units with a Language focus:
- Telling Tales – Part 1: This unit explores the power of language through exploring different versions of fairy tales. This gives students the opportunity to engage with a variety of texts and create their own vivid descriptions and characters.
- Wild Boy (modern novel): Whilst studying this Rob Lloyd Jones novel, students will develop their inference and deduction skills and have the opportunity to explore characters, themes and writers’ messages
- Pets’ Corner (Non-fiction & Transactional writing): This is an exciting and engaging chance for students to further their understanding of non-fiction texts and how to write for different purposes, audiences and forms.
In Year 8, students will explore the following units with a Language focus:
- Telling Tales – Part 2: Students will study a collection of fictional texts which allow students to develop their creative writing skills.
- The Gothic & Jane Eyre: Students will study a collection of 19th Century fictional texts, including extracts from Jane Eyre, which will allow them to develop their evaluation and analysis skills and are used to inspire creative writing.
- Transactional Writing: This unit explores creating non-fiction writing and adapting students’ writing for different purposes, audiences and forms.
Key Stage 4
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
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Component 1: Fiction and Imaginative Writing Paper = 40% of the total GCSE |
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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.
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The total number of marks available is 64.
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Assessment duration 1 hour and 45 minutes. |
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Component 2: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing Paper = 60% of the total GCSE |
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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.
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The total number of marks available is 96.
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Assessment duration: 2 hours and 5 minutes
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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