English The English Department comprises a team of specialist teachers working closely with the Support for Learning Department, who are backed up by a number of teaching assistants and sixth form volunteers. Students are taught in sets according to ability and level of attainment in English. At Key Stage 3, their work is assessed using GCSE Assessment Objectives and they are provided with either written or verbal feedback as appropriate. At Key Stage 4, work is assessed according to GCSE assessment criteria. ENGLISH AT KEY STAGE 3 Years 7 and 8 Idsall has an excellent Library and Resource Centre, and Key Stage 3 students are encouraged to make extensive use of it. Reading is a highly valued activity and students are given a recommended reading list for each of the first three years. The books listed are not essential for study but have been chosen because they are well written and enjoyable to read. Our aim is to extend the range of choice available for private reading and to encourage students to develop the habit of reading widely for pleasure. There is a school policy for home study and accordingly the English Department aims to set one written or learning homework each week. Half an hour should be spent on English home study in Year 7, and this amount of time is gradually increased so that it becomes at least an hour by Year 9. In addition, we expect our students to read regularly at home and keep records of the titles of books, their content and any further impressions in their best English book. Pupils are encouraged to read at least one book independently each half term and to complete at least two tasks from the Reading Task Bank that is on the VLE. It is very helpful for students to carry with them, at all times, a small, lightweight dictionary and thesaurus. The Collins Gem Dictionary and the Oxford Mini Dictionary are both excellent and have durable, plastic covers. Similarly, we recommend the Collins Gem Thesaurus. We encourage students to word process some of the work which they submit for assessment. They are also expected to have a supply of pens and pencils, and would benefit from having crayons and highlighters for use within lessons. Usually, fountain or cartridge pens aid good presentation, but some students find fibre tips or roller ball pens more convenient. Biros tend to be more suitable for rough work, but are, of course, always useful. Year 7 School Days: - How schools are depicted in literature through the years. - Persuasive/Descriptive writing. Poetry Through the Ages: - Beowulf - The Canterbury Tales PRACTICE PAPER 1
Shakespeare whole text study Texts TBC Whole novel study: The Hobbit or The Jungle Book PRACTICE PAPER 2 Other Cultures Project - Study of a variety of short stories - Poetry from Other Cultures - Independent study Practice Paper Reading Skills Poetry Through the Ages: -The Romantics Adventure story writing - Comparative study of two poems. PRACTICE PAPER 1 Year 8 Study of non-fiction - Covers the newspaper reports of Jack the Ripper Shakespeare whole text study Texts TBC PRACTICE PAPER 2 Writing to Argue/Persuade In-depth study of a whole novel. END OF YEAR EXAMINATION Throughout both years, students will also complete a number of other tasks (including letter/leaflet writing, creative writing and reading of another novel) but this is left to the discretion of the class teacher. Each term, Practice Papers to test writing and comprehension skills are also set and assessed.
ENGLISH AT KEY STAGE 4 Year 9 The Year 9 curriculum has been designed to provide a firm basis for study at GCSE as a number of tasks mirror those that will be encountered in Years 10 and 11. This also includes using GCSE style mark schemes and assessments. As with Years 7 and 8, Practice Papers will be used termly to test writing and comprehension skills. Writing to Persuade and Argue (also includes a Speaking and Listening assessment) Poetry Through the Ages: World War One - Comparative essay on selection of poems. Year 9 Creative Writing Horror In-depth novel and study of Gothic Literature The Hound of the Baskervilles Study of a Shakespeare play. In-depth study of another novel. Of Mice and Men or To Kill a Mockingbird. Years 10 and 11 The most important point to bear in mind is that a qualification in English is crucial for higher education and for many jobs. Students will study English Language and English Literature (2 GCSEs). The basic elements of these courses are: English Language Spoken Language (NEA) 100% Examination; two papers Reading - 50% Writing - 50% English Literature 100% examination; 2 papers
Texts studied: An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare AQA Poetry Anthology: Love and Relationships LANGUAGE: Paper 1, Fiction. Questions 1, 2 and 3. LITERATURE: A Christmas Carol; Introduction to Poetry. ASSESSMENTS: Practice Paper response to Paper 1, Q1, 2 and 3 Essay on A Christmas Carol ; poetry response. LANGUAGE: Paper 1, Section B. Writing to Describe and Narrate. LITERATURE: Ctd A Christmas Carol and Poetry study. ASSESSMENTS: Story/Description Comparative Poetry Response; Extractbased timed essay for A Christmas Carol. Year 10 LANGUAGE: Paper 1, Q4 response evaluation. Consolidation of Q1,2 and 3 skills. Spoken Language. LITERATURE: An Inspector Calls. ASSESSMENTS: Paper 1, Q4 timed response; essay on the presentation of characters in An Inspector Calls ; Spoken Language assessment. LANGUAGE: Paper 2, Section B writing from a viewpoint. LITERATURE: An Inspector Calls; study of Anthology Poetry. ASSESSMENTS: Writing to Argue; timed response to An Inspector Calls ; Unseen Poetry response. Summer 1 Summer 2 LANGUAGE: Paper 1 whole paper revision for End of Year examination. LITERATURE: Romeo and Juliet ASSESSMENTS: Extract based essay on Romeo and Juliet. LANGUAGE: Introduction to Paper 2 reading skills. LITERATURE: Romeo and Juliet; Poetry revision. ASSESSMENTS: END OF YEAR EXAMINATION: Whole Paper 1 (LANG); whole Paper 2 (Literature)
LANGUAGE: Paper 1 reading and writing skills revision. LITERATURE: Ctd. Romeo and Juliet; poetry. ASSESSMENTS: Whole Paper 1; Romeo and Juliet extract-based timed assessment. LANGUAGE: Paper 2 reading skills revision. LITERATURE: revision of A Christmas Carol ; poetry study. ASSESSMENTS: Whole Paper 2, Section A; extract-based essay on A Christmas Carol. MOCK EXAMINATION Year 11 LANGUAGE: Whole Paper 2 revision. LITERATURE: Revision of all texts. Poetry Anthology to be completed. Ongoing examination practice. ASSESSMENTS: Whole Paper 2 (LANG); Whole Paper 1 (LIT.) Ongoing examination practice. KEY STAGE 5 English Language This course builds on what students know already from GCSE in order to teach the skills every linguist needs to explore the language system, including modality, and the differences between spoken and written language. There are opportunities for students to demonstrate their engagement with language in the real world including people s attitudes to current language issues, as well as exploring language in particular contexts. English Language gives students the practical tools, whether for the workplace or for higher education, to become independent, critical readers and analysers of language use in the 21st century. A2: Autumn: Language and Speech information/attitudes and prejudices surrounding spoken accents and dialects Language, Identity and Power Preparation of coursework
Spring: Language and Speech Language and Cultural Production/ Language of Popular Written Texts/Preparation of coursework Summer: Exam preparation Grammar revision Introduction to Child Acquisition of Language, Language Varieties and Social Groups. Begin preparation of coursework. Year 12 Continued work on Child Acquisition of Language, Language Varieties and Social Groups in preparation for examination. Ongoing coursework. Exam preparation Begin aspects of A2 course. A2: Language and Speech information/attitudes and prejudices surrounding spoken accents and dialects. Year 13 Language and Speech - Language and Cultural Production/ Language of Popular Written Texts/ Preparation of coursework Examination practice
English Literature AS Level The course is based around the Love Through the Ages. It includes texts written over the last 500 years. The examination (100%) is divided into two papers. These are: Paper 1: Othello extract-based assessment; Pre-C20th Poetry Anthology Paper 2: Unseen Prose response; comparison of two novels The Great Gatsby and A Room with a View. Study of A Room with a View Study of Othello Introduction to the Pre-C20th Anthology Ongoing study of Unseen Prose Study of A Room with a View Study of Othello Pre-C20th Anthology Ongoing study of Unseen Prose Year 12 Study of The Great Gatsby Study of The Great Gatsby Study of Othello Introduction to the Pre-C20th Anthology Ongoing study of Unseen Prose Study of Othello Introduction to the Pre-C20th Anthology Ongoing study of Unseen Prose Examination practice Begin study of the A2 course: reading of Journey s End and A Doll s House (coursework) Year 13: Students will study World War One and its Aftermath and Love Through the Ages. 20% of whole A-level is a 2,500 word essay based on a comparison of two texts and must include a pre- C20th text we will probably use A Doll s House for this. The examination (80% of the A-Level).
Two papers Paper 1: Love Through the Ages Othello, comparison of novel and pre-c20th poetry; unseen poetry response. Paper 2: World War One and its Aftermath - Up the Line to Death poetry anthology response; unseen Prose extract; comparison of Journey s End and First Casualty. Up the Line to Death Journey s End Unseen Poetry Practice Independent Study for Coursework Up the Line to Death First Casualty Unseen Poetry Practice / Unseen Prose Independent Study for Coursework Year 13 Up the Line to Death ; revision of poetry/novel First Casualty and Journey s End Unseen Poetry Practice / Unseen Prose Up the Line to Death ; revision of Othello First Casualty and Journey s End Unseen Poetry Practice / Unseen Prose Independent Study for Coursework complete. Examination practice and preparation For further advice or to find out more about the English curriculum at Idsall School, please contact Miss Smith