English

All classes are taught in mixed ability form groups in years 7 and 8.

Students have three fifty minute lessons a week, studying departmental schemes of work listed below.

In year 9, students are taught in three sets 9EN1, 9EN2 and 9EN3.

Each group in year 9 follow similar units of work but there are differences in the texts studied.

In addition, all KS3 students have one fifty minute lesson of private reading/SPaG. This lesson usually comprises of a spelling test, grammar focus and private reading time.

Students, who are enrolled on the accelerated reader scheme, will also complete reading quizzes in this lesson.

See the document in the link below to see the outline of the English curriculum at Key Stage 3.

KS3 English

Most pupils follow the Key Stage 4 courses for both AQA English language and English literature and are entered for the GCSE examinations in both subjects at the end of the 2 year course.

English is a core curriculum subject and as such there is a natural progression from KS3 to KS4 in terms of assessment focuses.

At GCSE level, pupils will continue to be assessed for their ability in speaking and listening, reading and writing. However, the speaking and listening mark is awarded separately and no longer contributes towards the overall GCSE grade.

The GCSE English and English literature courses are now linear rather than modular, with exams at the end of the course in Y11. There will be no coursework or controlled assessment components to the new GCSE, which will be graded on the new 9-1 scale.

Pupils’ assessment for English language will be based on:

• Paper 1 (8700/1) – Explorations in creative reading and writing. 1 hour 45 minutes. 50% of grade. Section A: One 20th _ 21st Century literature text extract. 4 questions (one short, two longer, one extended). Section B: One extended descriptive or narrative writing task.
• Paper 2 (8700/2) – Writer’s viewpoints and perspectives. 1 hour 45 minutes. 50% of grade. Section A: Two unseen texts (one non- fiction 19th Century text, one literary non-fiction text-linked by theme) 4 questions (one short, two longer, one extended). Section B: One extended writing task to present a viewpoint
• Spoken Language – Individual presentation including responses to questions. Marked by teachers for a separate endorsement . 0% of GCSE grade.

Pupils’ assessment for English Literature will be based on:

• Paper 1 (8702/1)– Shakespeare & 19th Century novel.
  1 hour 45 minutes. 40% of grade.
  Section A: Closed book (i.e. no book taken in to the exam)
  One question on a Shakespeare play. Students will write in detail about an
  extract from the play and then continue to write about the play as a whole.
  Section B: Closed book
  One question on a 19th century novel (from a specified list). Students will be required to write in detail about an extract and then continue to write about the novel as a whole.
• Paper 2 (8702/2) – Modern prose/drama. The poetry selection and unseen poetry.
  2 hours 15 minutes. 60% of grade.
  Section A: Answer one essay question from a choice of two on a chosen modern text (from a specified list).
  Section B: Answer one comparative question on one named poem and one other poem from the anthology cluster studied in class.
  Section C: Answer one question on each of two unseen poems and one comparative question.

English