‘In English we will nourish students’ passion for our subject; equip them with the confidence, skills and knowledge they need to succeed in all walks of life.’
Miss Lynne Conroy, Head of English
Miss Vikkii Shallow, Second in Department, Associate Assistant Principal
Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, English Teacher
Mrs Laura Dismore, English Teacher
Mrs Ruth McConnell, English Teacher
Mrs Laura Byrne, English Teacher
Mrs Helen Townsend, English Teacher
Director of English (OGAT): Mrs Juliette Cooper
You can contact any teacher using the format email@example.com
During KS3 students have the ability to widen and explore their understanding of English as a subject beyond KS2. We work with partner primaries to ensure this is as seamless as possible. Students get the opportunity to study an eclectic mix of different text types from fictional novels to extracts and examples from a wide range of non-fiction pieces, always taking into account the individual needs of our students. They will develop their analytical and evaluative skills, as well as their writing skills across the English curriculum. Across the key stage, we give the opportunity for students to study a wide range of texts, which span the centuries. The main aim of the KS3 English curriculum is to ensure that all students not only develop skills and enjoy learning these, but to get students as ready as possible for the demands of the KS4 curriculum.
Across KS3 we run a reading programme called Accelerated Reader. Students are expected to read a book targeted at their reading level during one of their four English lessons. Students take quizzes on these books, which allows teachers to monitor student progress even more closely. We have found this programme to be very successful not only in improving student’s ability in English, but it has created a culture and love of reading across the key stage.
If you would like further information about the topics and themes being taught please contact: Miss L Conroy Head of Department.
Students study both English Language and English Literature across the three years. This means all students have the opportunity to achieve two GCSEs in English. The exam board for both qualifications is WJEC.
In Language, the assessment objectives which will be tested are:
Read and understand a range of texts to:
Explain, comment and analyse how writer’s use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views
Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as show how these are conveyed, across two or more texts
Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual reference
Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. This requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole).
This is a 1 hour and 45 minute exam, worth 40% of the students’ overall English Language GCSE.
Section A Reading: 1 hour (20% – 40 marks)
Students will be given one unseen 20th Century Literary Prose text. They will be given a series of structured questions, which will test AO1, AO2 and AO4 (see above for Assessment Objective descriptors).
Section B Writing: 45 minutes (20% – 40 marks)
Students will be given a choice of 4 titles, testing AO5 (24 marks) and AO6 (16 marks). Prose writing involves students writing a Narrative (or story) using some description.
This is a 2 hour exam, worth 60% of the students’ overall grade.
Section A Reading: 1 hour (30% – 40 marks)
Students will be given two unseen non-fiction texts. One will be a 19th Century text and one will be a 21st Century text. They will be given a series of structured questions, which will test AO1 (and 2), AO2, AO3 and AO4 (see above for Assessment Objective descriptors).
Section B Writing: 1 hour (30% – 40 marks)
Students will be given two compulsory tasks. They are expected to spend 30 minutes on each (15% per task). Students will be asked to create transactional, persuasive and/or discursive writing relating to real-life contexts in, for example, letters, articles, reviews, speeches etc.
Students will be assessed on AO5 (12 marks) and AO6 (8 marks) in each task. Please see above for Assessment Objective descriptors.
Written Examination: 2 hours, 40% of qualification
Section A Shakespeare (20%)
Students will study the play Macbeth. They will be given one extract and one essay based question on the reading of Macbeth.
Section B Poetry from 1789 to the present day (20%)
The students will be given two questions based on poems from the WJEC Poetry Anthology, one of which involves comparison. There is a requirement to address context in question (a) and (b) and this will be made explicit on the paper.
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes, 60% of qualification.
Section A Post-1914 Prose
Students will study Lord of the Flies. They will then answer one source based question on this post-1914 text.
Section B 19th Century Prose (20%)
Students will study A Christmas Carol. They will answer one source based question on this 19th Century prose text.
Section C Unseen Poetry (20%)
Students will be given two questions on unseen poems, one which involves a comparison.
NOTE: From 2017 both qualifications will be 100% exam which will be sat at the end of Year 11.
If you would like further information about the topics and themes being taught please contact: Miss L Conroy Head of Department
GCSE English – Eduqas
4+ = 90%
5+ = 83%
Average Progress in English +0.59
You can find more details by following the link WJEC Qualifications In England Web Site
Wednesdays 2.30-3.30pm: Y11 English Revision