English

English is an innovative and highly valuable subject. The department is fully resourced with the latest equipment and texts and staffed with imaginative and enthusiastic teachers. The department offers an exciting and modern approach to the subject, with an increasing use of ICT and multimedia.

The department believes that variety is the key to full and valuable learning. Pupils are also encouraged to learn independently. We offer several activities, including educational visits and participating in ‘Readathon’ and ‘Creative Writing’ competitions. Students are offered a broad and diverse curriculum, developing and expanding skills through both Key Stages.

Key Stage 3

Pupils are formally assessed at the end of each year.  Pupils are assessed every half term at KS3 and progress in tracked and monitored in each teaching group.  

Learning includes:

  • Pre and Post 20th Century Prose and Poetry
  • Media – newspapers, internet, magazines, television, film and advertising
  • Shakespeare
  • In depth studies of both fiction and non-fiction texts
  • Writing techniques, styles and purposes, including creative writing
  • Speaking and Listening
  • Drama
     

Key Stage 4

Pupils are assessed in both English Language and English Literature specifications, culminating in the award of two separate GCSE qualifications.
Current Year 11 learning includes:

  • Response to Media and Non-fiction texts
  • Shakespeare 
  • Pre and Post 20th Century Prose 
  • Pre and Post 20th Century Poetry and Poetry from other cultures and tradition Writing techniques, style and purposes, including original writing 
  • Analysis of Media texts
  • Speaking and Listening 

Current Year 9 and Year 10 students are following a new English Language and English Literature specification. This will also culminate in two separate GCSE qualifications.
AQA 2010 includes:

  • Response to Media and Non-fiction texts
  • Spoken Language Study
  • Shakespeare and Literary Heritage
  • Drama/Prose Study
  • Prose from other cultures – extended text study
  • Pre and Post 20th Century Poetry
  • Writing techniques, style and purposes, including creative writing 
  • Analysis of Media texts 
  • Speaking and Listening

The main difference in the new specification is that pupils will no longer complete coursework at home. Essays are written in controlled assessment conditions in school time. 

English New Term Update - September 2011

This term children will be learning:

YEAR 7

A selection of Non Fiction texts:  

Autobiographies/Diaries

  • Year 7 will sit a series of tests this half term in order for the Department to ensure your child is placed in the correct set. Re –setting will take place after the half term holiday.
  • Year 7 will also be expected to bring reading material to lessons – a book they are currently reading, a newspaper or a magazine. The first ten minutes of their lessons are devoted to reading for pleasure; this also helps to improve their literacy skills.

Some students may be working with Mr Goodwill for extra support.

YEAR 8

Prose Study  

  1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Mrs Hewitt
  2. Tales of the the Unexpected - Miss Hall
  3. Holes - Miss Holian & Miss Sweeting
  4. Millions - Mr Goodwill
  5. Holes - Miss Carr
  6. Boy - Mr Robinson
  7. Skellig - Miss Faloona

Some students may be working with Miss Carter for extra support.

YEAR 9

Prose Study  

  1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time  - Mr Robinson
  2. The Outsiders - Miss Carr
  3. Animal Farm - Miss Carter
  4. Gangsta Rap - Mrs Hewitt
  5. Heroes - Miss Faloona
  6. The Outsiders - Miss Hall & Mr Goodwill
  7. A Christmas Carol - Miss Sweeting & Mr Smith

Some students may be working with Miss Holian for extra support.

YEAR 10

  • An introduction to the GCSE exam course
  • Analysing media/notification texts and Speaking and Listening Assessmen 1

YEAR 11

  • Speaking and Listening Controlled Assessment
  • Creative Writing Controlled Assessment
  • literature Exam Text - Of Mice and Men, The Crucible, An Inspector Calls

Also this term...

  • Year 7 will be starting their BRONZE reading challenge
  • Year 9 will be introduced to GCSE exam skills and targets

Coming up...

  • KS3 will be involved in READATHON to raise money for charity
  • Trips are being organised to see Blood Brothers at Billingham (including back stage tour!) and An Inspector Calls at Darlington.