English
Staffing of the department
Ms Dias – Head of Department
Ms Adams – Teacher of English / Deputy Head
Ms Devine – Teacher of English
Ms Cahalane – Teacher of English
Ms Wright – Teacher of English
Useful Revision Guides
| Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for GCSE | (Highly recommended as SPaG is worth 5% in Geography, History and Religious Education) |
GCSE AQA English | Understanding Non-Fiction texts |
AQA Anthology of Poetry | Love and Relationships, The Poetry Guide, for the Grade 9-1 course. |
Unseen Poetry | Exam Board: AQA: The Poetry Guide, for the Grade 9-1 course. |
All books are from CGP (Coordination Group Publications).
Educational philosophy / Aims of the curriculum
The English department consists of a highly skilled, supportive and enthusiastic group of five specialist English teacher (3 of which are former Heads of English). We are in a constant state of evaluation and reflection about the impact of the work that we do, and constantly seeking ways to improve and grow on the Department’s expertise. We work closely together to sustain the high standards that are expected by colleagues, parents and pupils.
KS4 Curriculum
The aim of the English curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word while developing a love of literature through the widespread reading for enjoyment. We aim to support students to:
- read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
- write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
- be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
AQA English Language Course Specification
Assessment Objectives
AO1: Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas select and synthesise evidence from different texts
AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views
AO3: Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts
AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references
AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts
AO6: 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.)
AO7: Demonstrate presentation skills in a formal setting
AO8: Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including to questions and feedback on presentations
AO9: Use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches and presentations.
AQA English Literature Course Specification
Assessment Objectives
AO1: Read, understand and respond to texts
Students should be able to:
- maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
- use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations
AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate
AO3: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
AO4: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation
Assessments
| Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel | Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry |
| Assessed Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 40% examination | Assessed Written exam: 2 hours 15 minutes 60% examination |