KS3
Higher ability pupils will have access to:
Reading:
Pupils are given the opportunity to read a variety of literature and to respond to the content and style of texts. The literature read is drawn from a variety of genres including novels, plays, short stories and poetry.
Pupils are encouraged to develop their ideas, and compare a number of texts. They will begin to produce essay style responses.
Writing:
Pupils complete a variety of tasks focusing on writing skills. These tasks are created from various stimuli: fiction and non-fiction texts; media projects; horror, adventure and fantasy genre. All tasks are designed to include different purposes and audiences for the writing to develop an ability to manipulate tone and register.
Pupils are encouraged to extend their confidence in writing for a variety of purposes and to develop their own distinctive and original style. They are
taught to improve and sustain their writing, developing their competence in planning, drafting, redrafting and proofreading their work. Presentation of work should be neat and legible.
Speaking and Listening:
These tasks are usually an extension of reading and writing lesson content and include: a range of acting and drama activities; individual or group presentations; large or small group debates; speeches. All tasks focus on fluency and manipulation of spoken language to suit effect communication, purpose and audience. They are taught to be fluent, accurate users of Standard English.
They are also encouraged to listen with empathy to others and have the opportunity to respond to what has been said.
Progress Groups/Greater Special Educational Needs pupils will have access to:
Reading:
Pupils are given the opportunity to read a variety of literature according to their ability and to respond to the content and style of texts using support
systems such as AR Reader.
Pupils are encouraged to develop their ideas, and compare a number of texts. They will begin to produce basic structured responses.
Writing:
Pupils complete a variety of tasks focusing on improving writing skills including handwriting, presentation skills, basic and complex sentence structures and the use of punctuation.
Speaking and Listening:
These tasks are usually an extension of reading and writing lesson content and include: a range of acting and drama activities; individual or group presentations; large or small group debates; speeches. All tasks focus on building confidence and to be fluent. They are also encouraged to listen with empathy to others and have the opportunity to respond to what has been said.
KS4
Higher ability pupils will have access to:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE – GCSE
What is Studied?
A range of texts and tasks enabling pupils to develop creative writing skills, structure writing effectively and improve grammatical accuracy.
A range of different texts to read and analyse, covering different time periods, including :-
non-fiction texts from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
literary fiction texts from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
What Skills are Developed?
- Ability to read and understand a range of texts, particularly unseen fiction and non-fiction.
- Ability to analyse the use of language, use technical vocabulary accurately and recognise different writers’ viewpoints.
- Ability to analyse language, structure and writers’ intentions critically.
- Ability to produce creative texts for a range of genres, purposes and audiences. Your written communication skills and grammatical accuracy.
How will the Course be Structured?
Examination preparation and development of skills throughout Years 10 and 11
How will Pupils be Assessed?
- External examination – English Language
- 100% of the total GCSE grade
- Paper 1: 50% – 1hr 45 minutes.
- Paper 2: 50% – 1hr 45 minutes.
- Equally weighted for reading and writing skills.
Spoked Language
Pupils will also get an additional accreditation for speaking and listening activities completed in class. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to present using Standard English.
Progress Groups/Greater Special Educational Needs pupils will have access to:
FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH
What will be Studied?
- A range of different texts which are chosen according to the class.
- This course is specifically designed to encourage and enthuse pupils and support them with gaining the skills needed to be able to start the English
Language GCSE course in the future. - Pupils will also have the opportunity to take the Functional Skills qualification.
How will the Course be Structured?
- The course is split into projects each lasting 5-6 weeks.
- As and when pupils are ready, they will be entered for the Functional Skills exams.
What Skills are Developed?
- The course aims to develop the reading and writing skills required to gain a C grade in GCSE English.
- Pupils will have access to a greater range of technology and thus will be able to develop ICT skills too.
- Functional Skills will help to develop important skills like communication, team working, presentation and problem solving.
- Additional English has been introduced to ensure pupils have the practical skills to apply what they have learnt to everyday situations, such as writing an effective job application, and take the most from life, learning and work.
- For each level, realistic contexts have been designed using clear layouts and plain English.
The Aims of Functional English are to:
- To achieve a recognised qualification in English but also have a better chance in preparing for a GCSE
- Support pupils’ learning and motivation in relation to literacy
- Help pupils meet the high demands of other GCSE courses that need high levels of literacy
- Strengthen the key are of literacy sought by employers
- Functional Skills at Levels 1 & 2, aims to ensure that each individual is able to solve problems in real-life, functional contexts, and develop skills in.
- Reading and understanding a range of texts
- Writing for different audiences and purposes
- Participating in discussions and giving presentations