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
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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 |
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Brief description of the departments homework policy for pupils in year 7+8 |
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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. |
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Year 7 Homework Tasks |
Year 8 Homework Tasks |
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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 |
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Component 2: 20th and 21st Century Non-fiction and Transactional Writing Paper = 60% of the total GCSE |
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Overview of content:
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Overview of assessment:
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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:
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. |