ENGLISH
LANGUAGE
English Language
The study of English language is not only important in order to understand how to use the rules of spelling, punctuation & grammar, but also to access a wide range of texts and perspectives. Our students not only learn how to construct a sentence on a page but also develop a sense of how they can engage with the texts that surround them in all spheres of life. Our curriculum seeks to give our students the abilities to understand, analyse, evaluate and compare texts, as well as construct both creative and transactional writing.
Additionally, our students have access to Accelerated Reader in order to not only support our students in their reading and literacy, but also to use a range of engaging technologies to encourage our students love of language and literature.
Furthermore, as part of our vision to nurture today’s young people and inspire tomorrow’s leaders, we put oracy, literacy and vocabulary at the heart of our Key Stage 3 curriculum to ensure that our students can succeed at Key Stage 4 and beyond.
At Key Stage 4, GCSE English Language is a core qualification requirement for various career paths and is also crucial to further and higher education. This course will enable students to study various authors, genres, cultural viewpoints, perspectives, and give them the opportunity to develop their skills in writing for different audiences. They will also develop their speaking and listening skills for a wide range of situations.
Students will develop the following skills:
- Reading Analytically
- Reading Critically and Evaluatively
- Understanding How Texts Are Structured
- Creative and Descriptive and Writing
- Transactional Writing
- Speaking, Presentations, Debating and Active Listening
Students will study the following key areas:
- Explorations in creative reading and writing
- Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
- Spoken language
Curriculum Overview: English Language
| Year 7 | Year 8 |
|---|---|
| •Creative Writing – Crafting Characters and Plot; speeches; diary writing •Non-Fiction (writing)- Perspectives on contemporary issues •Transactional writing; letters, articles and news reports •Debating |
|
| Year 9 | Year 10 & 11 |
|---|---|
|
|
Key Stage 3
Our pupils are assessed through a range of written portfolios, creative texts which they produce (from fiction to transactional writing), written assessments and their use of spoken language. We take this approach as part of our focus on the formative component of assessment in preparing students for the rigors of Key Stage 4, but also to create opportunities for students to develop a broad and balanced range of skills and knowledge.
Key Stage 4
Internal assessments take place every half term to ensure that students are aware of their own progress and to support them in their journey towards success. These half-termly assessment reflect what a student can expect in their exams to ensure that students develop resilience and key skills.
The final assessments are comprised of examinations where students will take two written exam papers. The Paper 1 exam will last 1 hour 45 minutes and will be scored out of 80 marks and the Paper 2 exam will last 1 hour 45 minutes and will be scored out of 80 marks. Performance will be recorded by a new grading scale that uses the numbers 1–9, with grade 9 being the highest achievement.
Exam Board Specification: AQA
Enrichment Offer
Intervention is offered to all students to maximise performance and consolidate prior learning. Above all, academic excellence is at the heart of our curriculum and our students always appreciate our intervention to support them in their future success. We also offer our students the opportunity to take part in writing club; debate club, spelling bees and various national writing competitions throughout the year.
Useful Resources and Revision Support
AQA
English Language
Teach It English
Seneca learning
Bitesize
Mr Bruff