‘the pen is mightier than the sword’
How can you help?
In the build up to the exams we will offer suggestions for how Year 11 students should revise.
This week :
View Our Exam FAQ for 2010
Homework schedule for students studying Cluster One Poems Homework schedule for students studying Cluster Two Poems We are a department who believe that the study of English and literature is essential, not only to helping individuals make sense of who they are, but also to learn how to communicate successfully with the world. Culturally we believe that the study of literature fosters tolerance and understanding and is a vital part of a balanced education.
We aim to
- encourage and heighten the students’ awareness of the structure and uses of English, using a variety of media, to enable students to improve their ability in manipulating language.
- maximise students command of the spoken and written word, producing work which is effective in terms of audience and purpose
- encourage students to develop their self confidence and achieve their potential
- develop an enquiring and lively interest in the subject and related areas
Long Term Plans
Year 7 follow a foundation course upon arrival. Long Term Plan – Year 8. Long Term Plan – Year 9.
Assessment Focus
AFs get referred to quite a lot in the English Department but what are they? Very simply they stand for Assessment Focus, that means the area we are focusing on for assessment (easy huh!) The more focussed we make assessment the easier it is to do well because you know exactly what the teacher is looking for and how to be successful! For more information on AFs read the following PDF document on levels. A3 Levels PDF.
Questions parents and care givers may like to ask our students.
Do you know what level you are working at? At reading? At writing? At speaking and listening? Overall? Do you know what areas you could improve in? Do you know what you need to do to improve/progress a level?
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, the English Department offers an exciting, challenging and varied curriculum. Students will have the chance to study a range of texts and text types; this includes poetry, novels and non-fiction. Students will develop an understanding of how to read texts and how to respond in a variety of ways. Students will develop and expand their speech and speech patterns as well as developing listening skills.
Students in Key Stage 3 have the opportunity to prepare for future exams by completing work that complements not only the English GCSE course but also elements of Media Studies and Film Studies.
Students are encouraged to develop the skills in lessons that will allow them to attempt different GCSE courses at different stages in their educational development.
The department is fully equipped with a range of resources that will complement all our students development including; digital cameras, visualisers, HD video cameras and computer hardware and software.
All our students are encouraged to take the skills they develop in English and use them in the wider school and community. Our newly established Film Club and the many competitions we enter throughout the year mean the students have a chance to test themselves outside of the class room against other year groups and schools.
Across the curriculum:
We aim to develop inter-personal and communication skills through pair work, group work and in whole class activities. We reinforce social skills and life skills through role plays and simulations. We encourage students to use reference sources, books and IT to enhance and extend their linguistic capabilities. OFSTED said: “In Years 7 to 9,achievement is good in English” “Students are very well motivated by very good teaching and so they achieve well.”