Curriculum Year 7 This year group has seven 55 minute lessons per fortnight. In the first term, we study Roald Dahl s Boy and other autobiographical writing, with a narrative writing focus. This is followed by Poetry, where students read and write a selection of poems, exploring literary techniques, and practise answering comprehension questions on poetry. The Group Reading Project in Lent term flows into study of David Almond s wonderful novel, Skellig with a comprehension focus. Summer brings Shakespeare, with drama workshops and creative writing, during which time we consolidate the learning from the whole year in revising for the final exams. In this year, we begin essay writing skills, and continue to develop vocabulary, spelling and grammar. Year 8 This year group has seven 55 minute lessons per fortnight. In term one, we explore some of the greatest speeches of the twentieth century, and the death of rhetoric with Trump in the twenty first, assessed by writing to argue or persuade. This leads nicely into Orwell s gripping fable, Animal Farm, and a comprehension assessment. In Lent, we begin poetry and descriptive writing: Fear and Fascination, including Plath s The Bee Box and Tennyson s The Kraken. Students revisit their essay writing skills for the end of unit test, which is a comprehension, as it is for John Boyne s moving novel, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Once again, Summer brings Shakespeare and Creative writing, and end of year tests, consolidating the learning both from Year 8 and Year 7. Vocabulary, spelling and grammar are pursued throughout. Year 9 Here, we begin preparing students for the GCSE curriculum, in six 55 minute lessons per fortnight, building on the skills learned for the Common Entrance exam and in our own years 7-8. First, we study narrative and descriptive writing, both core to the GCSE, then a literary novel, shadowing the GCSE Literature exam, both internally assessed using GCSE criteria. Texts are chosen to be most appealing and accessible to the working level and interests of the group. In Lent term, we develop essay writing skills, using a range of poetry and prose. An extended creative writing project and study of Shakespeare conclude the year, together with the final exams which are used for setting and to inform Year 10 class teachers of students strengths and areas of development, especially technical accuracy in writing. Year 10 This year, we begin teaching the AQA 1-9 English Language (0870) and AQA Literature (0872) courses, with experienced teachers of this exam on board, as well as examiners. The course has been chosen for its rich variety, accessibility and the excellent resources widely available. Both courses are taught parallel to each other, in eight 55 minute lessons per fortnight. Students will be internally assessed using AQA questions and mark schemes half-termly in order to keep them on track, and increase their confidence with the exam. This will be graded using 1-9. For information, relative to the old A*-C grading system: 9 is above A*, 8 is A*, 7 is an A, 6 is a B, and 5 is equivalent to a C grade. English Language includes a Speaking and Listening component, assessed in Year 10, which is certified (pass-merit-distinction) but which does not impact the final grade. Other elements are: factual retrieval, identifying and explaining the effects of writers language choices, how texts are structured, and comparing texts as well as writing longer evaluative essays on a range of unseen literary fiction and nonfiction. 50% of the marks are awarded for the Comprehension section and 50% for the Writing section, which has one question on describe/narrate and one on
argue/persuade, each with 40% of marks (20% of the ultimate total) for accuracy and sophistication in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Google AQA English Language 0870 for more detail, including practice and past papers. This particular exam has a huge range of published resources available and the exam style, and mark scheme is very predictable. English Literature covers: a Nineteenth Century novel, either Frankenstein or Jekyll and Hyde; a Shakespeare play, either Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet; the Conflict cluster of the AQA Poetry Anthology; and the modern play, J.B. Priestley s An Inspector Calls. Texts are chosen to be most appealing and accessible to the working level and interests of the group. We may, for instance, use an abridged version of Shakespeare to improve students experience. Google AQA English Literature 0872 for more detail, including practice and past papers. Excellent study guides and online resources are widely available for all of these texts. There are two exams: Paper 1 - Shakespeare and the Nineteenth Century Novel (1 hr 45) and Paper 2 - Modern Texts and Poetry (2 hr 15), 3 x 45 minute essays, including an unseen poetry component. All exams are closed book, so students cannot take their texts into the exams. However, the poem will be printed on the exam paper, and 50% of the marks for each question are based on an extract from the text which is printed on the paper. The other half is awarded for students knowledge of the whole text, for which they will need to learn quotations. Year 11 Our current Year 11, study CIE (Cambridge) English Language and CIE English Literature. CIE (Cambridge) English Language (0500) This course is long established at Worth, and is examined by two papers, Paper 2 and Paper 3, each two hours long. You can find many past papers on the CIE website, making sure to find those with the 21,22,23 or 31,32,33 code attached. The comprehension questions are based on a range of literary fiction and nonfiction unseen texts, and also test writing skills, with one additional pure writing question, which is narrative or descriptive writing. We supply a detailed revision guide to students explaining the demands of the different question types and past papers to practise over the revision period. There are mock examinations in November of Year 11 and again in March to prepare them fully for the final examination. CIE English Literature (0486) English Literature covers: a literary novel, Hard Times or My Antonia; a Shakespeare play, either Henry V or Macbeth; the Songs of Ourselves 2 Poetry Anthology; and either a modern play, J.B. Priestley s An Inspector Calls or an additional Shakespeare play. Texts are chosen to be most appealing and accessible to the working level and interests of the group. We may, for instance, use an abridged version of Shakespeare to improve students experience. The Papers we sit are: Paper 1 Poetry and Prose (1 hr 30) and Paper 2 Drama (1 hr 30). You can google CIE English Literature 0486 for more detail. Please ensure that you are looking at the syllabus for exam in 2018 however as the texts for CIE change every 2-3 years. Likewise, published past papers from 2-3 years ago may not include texts currently examined. We supply students with current questions and papers to use during the revision period.
All exams are closed book, so students cannot take their texts into the exams. However, the choice of poems will be printed on the exam paper (worth 25% of the final grade), and a further 50% of the marks can be gained by answering an extract question, where a section of the studied text is printed on the paper. However, it should be noted that students often answer better on the whole text question for which they need to learn quotations, so this strategy is not unreservedly recommended. Sixth Form: IB and A-Level In Sixth Form, we offer a large range of options: A-Level Literature (linear) with OCR; IB Literature at Standard and Higher Level, and IB Language and Literature at Standard Level. OCR A Level Literature (H472) This is a linear course, with 80% of the grade coming from the final exams at the end of Year 13. There are three main topics: Shakespeare and Poetry Pre-1900; Detailed Study on a topic such as American Literature or the Gothic; Drama and Prose Post-1900. Paper 1: Shakespeare and Poetry Pre-1900 (exam - 40% of final grade) One Shakespeare Play (e.g. The Tempest) - part (a) detailed extract commentary part (b) whole-text question, e.g. how is a theme or character presented; One essay comparing two texts, e.g. A Doll s House and Paradise Lost) Paper 2: Detailed Genre Study (exam - 40% of final grade) One essay on an unseen extract, you write a critical commentary on an extract from a Dystopian novel, applying what you have learned about the genre as a whole to a text you have never seen; One essay comparing two Dystopian texts, e.g. 1984 and The Road. Coursework: Drama and Prose Post-1900 (Coursework - 20% of final grade) 2000 word essay Disillusion in America: EE Cummings Poetry, Death of a Salesman, Netherland OR Cannery Row, A Streetcar Named Desire, Bright Travellers. IB Literature Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) Literature is a rightly popular, classic course, developing analytical skills, fluency and precision in expression, exploring some of the greatest literature written about the human experience - from across the world. Whatever your skill level in essay writing, we will show you how to perfect your style. Do you Like Reading? As the name of this course suggests, reading literature is involved - in large quantities - so it is recommended that before beginning - or choosing - this course, students read at least two books from our Sixth Form Reading list. If this is tough for you, but you do still want to study English, there is less literature in the IB Language and Literature course. How is it examined? A great advantage of this course - at both levels - is that 55% of the marks come from coursework: 30% from two oral assessments and 25% from one 1,500 word essay on one text. The remaining 45% is assessed in the final exam, which includes: Paper 1 (unseen poetry) and Paper 2 (studied poetry), worth 20% and 25% respectively. The mark scheme for a level 6 and 7 at HL is more demanding than that for achieving a level 6 or 7 at SL, as one might expect. For students who enjoy English - but not poetry - try the IB Language and Literature course, where it comprises a much smaller part.
Standard or Higher Level? The standard level (SL) course is particularly suitable for students with English as an additional language, or for STEM-inclined students who wish to keep up their interest in literature. Depending on fluency, and interest in literature, higher level (HL) may be the better choice. Please note: SL and HL grades are equally weighted in the final diploma score. At Higher Level (HL) students study 13 texts in 9 lessons per fortnight, while at SL, students study 10 texts in 5 lessons per fortnight, so holiday reading will be set, and texts are covered at a pace - in SL particularly. What will I study? We begin by studying three (SL) or four (HL) texts for the Oral Presentation, where you talk to the class for around ten minutes on a title of your choice. Past topics include: American Literature (A Call to Arms, Steinbeck and Hemingway), or The Gothic (Dracula, Coleridge and Frankenstein). Poetry for Paper 2 includes detailed study of three (SL) or four (HL) poets works, which in the past has included Tennyson, Keats, Larkin and T.S. Eliot. During this time we also practise the unseen poetry skills needed for Paper 1. The Written Coursework (IA) is on texts in translation which has included in the past two (SL) or three (HL) of the following: Miss Julie, A Doll s House, Anna Karenina, Waiting for Godot (originally published in French), Madame Bovary, Tartuffe, and The Misanthrope. The final Oral Commentary (SL and HL) and Presentation (HL only) takes place in Year 13 and involves a detailed critical analysis of a 40 line extract from one of two (SL) or three (HL) texts studied - usually a play or poem. HL students also engage in a ten minute talk then discussion of the second text. IB Language and Literature SL In this fascinating course, we explore how meaning is created and how it is affected by the time, place and why a text was written. We study: adverts, pamphlets, newspaper articles, rhetoric, and the death of rhetoric brought about by Donald Trump. We investigate the use and problems of global English, slang, and the language of power and persuasion. You may find yourself analysing a Book Review, a psychology textbook, a UN infographic or an article from Glamour Magazine. As in the Literature course, you will develop your analytical skills, fluency and precision in expression, exploring how culture affects both Language and Literature. Whatever your skill level in essay writing, we will show you how to perfect your style. How is it examined? 55% of the marks come from coursework: 30% from two oral assessments - including one critical commentary on a literary text and 25% from one 800-100 word essay plus 200-300 word rationale. The remaining 45% is assessed in the final exam, which includes: Paper 1 (unseen texts) and Paper 2 (comparing an additional two literary texts), worth 20% and 25% respectively. Class Sizes In years 7-11, students are taught in small classes of between fourteen to twenty, with smaller sizes still in Sixth Form. This lets us get to know each student s particular strengths and areas of development, for a more tailored, personal experience. Progress Tracking Students are assessed every half term, in every year group, as well as at the end of the academic year. This lets us check where they are relative to where they should be, ensuring that they are
reaching their full potential, and that we can support them in a timely way if they are not. Students also track their own progress, and take responsibility for their own learning, understanding what worked well (www), and are given SMART targets for how to improve (HTI) Unlocking Talent in SEND and EAL Students We are experienced in working with dyslexic, dyspraxic, autistic, aspergers, ADHD and students with poor working memory, collaborating closely with the SEND department to unlock talent. The Department includes two EAL specialists and as far as possible, students with English as an Additional Language are taught within mainstream classes, rapidly increasing in fluency. Resources Each Department has a SMART electronic whiteboard, audio recording equipment and several thousand books. We make extensive use of laptops in lessons, with a vast virtual library of resources for students to use. While we do practise handwriting and writing in timed conditions for exam, we recognize the real-world value of touch typing, IT skills, and the wonder - not just the distractions - of the internet. There is a Department blog with excellent reading lists to challenge non-readers as well as avid readers of all ages, and we have close links to the wonderful school Library, as well as digital subscriptions to online journals like JSTOR.