English

Curriculum :: English

The course throughout the school reflects the aims of the National Curriculum for English leading to the GSCE examinations in English and English Literature, using the AQA syllabus, specification B.

Some examples of topics covered are:

Year 7

Use of grammar, spelling and vocabulary, building up basic skills and consolidating junior school work.

Year 8

Comprehensions, vocabulary and spelling, sentences, paragraphs and punctuation. Writing to analyse, review and comment, also to imagine, explore and entertain. All forms of language variation. Autobiographies and biographies. Learning speaking and listening skills.

Year 9

Creative writing using stimulus material from a range of sources, from 'Star Wars' to Shackleton's Expedition to the South Pole.

Writing in different styles and using different formats to suit different purposes.

Speaking and listening exercises to develop skill of expression and response, working with others and developing confidence. These range from presenting a chat show to interview role plays, from planning an expedition to persuading a travel company to provide a sponsorship.

Reading and responding to prose and poetry texts.

Year 10 KS4

Develop their skills in writing to inform, explain and describe, and to explore, imagine and entertain. One piece of coursework in each of these areas is undertaken this year. Texts chosen from the syllabus are studied, and coursework assignments undertaken on: a novel or group of short stories, a selection of poetry, and a Shakespeare drama.

In speaking and listening skills and understanding are developed, and followed up with coursework assignments, in an individual presentation, group interactions and drama. This year also builds on work done in previous years on persuasive writing.

Year 11

Concentrate on texts for the examinations, a prose novel, a drama, and a selection of poetry. They study media texts and poems from other cultures, and the analysis of non-fiction texts. Further work is done on writing to argue, persuade and discuss, and to comment, review and analyse.