English
Head of Department - Miss K Piddington
Lower School
Outline of Subject
Students will read a variety of literature including prose, poetry, drama and short stories and non-fiction texts. These texts include works written before 1914 as well as contemporary material. Students will develop their writing skills using a variety of forms and audiences. Students are expected to plan, draft, and proof-read their work. They are encouraged to focus on writing accurately and grammatically using Standard English. Students also develop speaking skills in a variety of contexts that include individual presentations and group discussions.
Learning Content
Topic Title
|
Year |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
The Power of Language |
Exploring poetry |
Structuring a Narrative |
Introducing Shakespeare: The Tempest (reading) |
Whole Novel: Bone Talk (reading)
|
Myths and Legends (reading & writing) |
|
8 |
Structuring a Narrative |
Whole Novel: Wolf Hollow |
Expressing a viewpoint: instruct/advise |
Place and Identity: Other Cultures Poetry (reading) Simply Reading |
Developing Shakespeare: Henry V / Leadership |
Perspectives and Attitudes: Themed non-fiction |
|
9 |
Exploring American Cultures: Of Mice and Men (reading & writing) |
Expressing a viewpoint: persuade (writing) |
Conflict Poetry (reading)
|
Writing Bootcamp: Describe (writing) |
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (reading) |
Whole Play Read: An Inspector Calls (reading) |
Skill Development
Students will develop their reading, writing and speaking skills throughout Years 7-9. Reading skills will include comprehension, retrieval, close analysis, and exploring a writer’s intentions and context. Students will be equipped with subject terminology to allow them to identify the methods employed by writers to elicit responses. Writing skills will focus on writing for different purposes and audiences, such as persuade and argue, and how a range of techniques can be used to achieve desired effects. There will be regular focus on accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Students will develop essential speaking skills such as asking questions, shaping discussion and presenting key ideas and information.
Assessment Styles
Students’ work is assessed for effort as well as attainment. A range of written ‘mastery’ tasks is produced each year for formal assessment as evidence of attainment and progress through the academic year. Some assessment tasks will be planned and redrafted over more than one lesson, whilst others will be unseen tasks in test conditions. Teachers will also use discussion-led activities, peer and self-assessment activities and formative marking in students’ ‘apprentice’ books to assess student progress.
Additional Information
All students are encouraged to read independently and to include a range of fiction and non-fiction in their choices. All our classes are mixed ability with a focus on encouraging a love of reading and writing whilst developing key English skills.
Upper School
Exam Board: AQA
Outline of Subject
Students will read a variety of literature including prose, poetry, drama and non-fiction texts. These texts include a 19th Century novel and a Shakespeare play as well as contemporary material. Students will develop their writing skills using a variety of forms and audiences. Students are expected to plan, draft, and proof-read their work. Students are encouraged to focus on writing accurately and grammatically using Standard English. Students also develop speaking skills in a variety of contexts that include individual presentations and group discussions.
Course Content
| Year | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 |
Divided Society/Transactional Writing - Non-Fiction Identity and Duality: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde |
Whole Play - Shakespeare First read and analyse: Macbeth |
Power and Conflict Poetry English Language Paper 1 An Inspector Calls and Spoken Language Assessment |
| 11 |
Macbeth English Language Paper 2 - non-fiction and compare Unseen Poetry - Unseen poetry compare Trial Exams: Lang Pt2/Lit P2 |
English Language Paper 1 English Language Paper 2 English Literature Paper1 English Literature Paper 2 Final exam preparation |
|
Skill Development
Students will develop and refine their reading and writing skills throughout Years 10-11. Reading skills will include comprehension, retrieval, close analysis, and exploring a writer’s intentions and context. Students will be equipped with subject terminology to allow them to identify the methods employed by writers to elicit responses. Writing skills will focus on writing for different purposes and audiences, such as persuade and argue, and how a range of techniques can be used to achieve desired effects. There will be regular focus on accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Students will develop essential speaking skills such as asking questions, shaping discussion and presenting key ideas and information.
Assessment
A range of ‘mastery’ tasks are produced throughout the GCSE course for formal assessment; these will be marked using the GCSE assessment criteria. Students will be given clear targets that will show them how to achieve higher marks in future exams. Some assessment tasks will be planned and redrafted over more than one lesson, whilst others will be unseen tasks in test conditions. Teachers will also use discussion-led activities, peer and self-assessment activities and formative marking to assess student progress. The English Language and English Literature GCSEs are assessed through 100% examination; there are four exam papers in total.
Additional Information
All students are encouraged to read independently and to include a range of fiction and non-fiction in their choices; reading regularly and widely is essential for students as the texts they are going to be exploring are challenging and varying in their vocabulary and context. We will provide all Year 10 and 11 students with a suggested reading list and invite students to make regular use of the expertise of our excellent school librarians.
English Department News
Click here to see the Years 7 - 9 Thornden Live Blog...written for Thornden students, by Thornden students, covering everything from Thornden to Trump.