English

To nurture well-rounded, well-read and well-spoken students who are able to read reflectively, think independently, communicate coherently and express themselves eloquently. 

OVERVIEW OF COURSE


 In Years 7 to 9, we focus on cementing a strong foundation in preparation for the GCSE curriculum in Years 10 and 11. Our aim is to embed key skills, including: 

critical analysis of texts; 

exploring the methods and techniques the writer employs to create meaning; 

how to structure writing in response to a question; 

how to develop creative writing, including narrative, description, speeches, letters, etc. 

understanding how to express personal viewpoints effectively and with clarity in writing, as well as speaking. 

PROGRAMME OF STUDY 

Long Term Plan

To view the Long Term Plan for the English Key Stage 3 curriculum, please click the button below.
This provides an overview of the knowledge and concepts being taught throughout Key Stage 3.

Medium Term Plans

To view the Medium Term Plans please click the button below. The medium term plans provide you with a detailed plan of what knowledge and concepts are being taught on a week by week basis for each unit. These are the documents that the teachers use to plan their lessons.

See below the pupil friendly unit overviews for this academic year:

Vocabulary

Writer's methods

Key texts used

Recommended reading

Opportunities for developing cultural capital

A personal learning checklist for the key questions being covered in the unit

Year 7 - Ancient Worlds

Year 7 Ancient Worlds Unit Overview.pdf

Year 8 - Diverse Short Stories

Year 8 Diverse Short Stories - Unit Overview.pdf

Year 9 - Belonging Poetry Anthology

Year 9 Belonging Poetry Anthology Unit Overview.pdf

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT


We will use a range of assessments: 

Formative and Summative Assessment 

Tracking of quality of class and homework through books/folders 

Speaking and oral presentations 

Projects 

DIRT time for self and peer marking 


We will also use a range of different styles of feedback to students: 

Extensive (deep) marking of targeted extended writing in which the teacher provides formative comments for future improvement which the student is expect to act on. 

Acknowledgment marking, where the teach concisely marks the piece of work, using specific success criteria, highlighting positive work and addressing major misconceptions. 

Non-written feedback which can take the form of verbal, peer and self-assessment. 

HOW PARENTS / CARERS CAN HELP


CGP Books for KS3 English 

YouTube videos on every topic included in the Curriculum Map, how to write an essay, punctuation and grammar, etc. 

Encourage reading newspapers 

Watch the news on television 

Use the suggested reading lists and activities on each unit of work 

The library 

BBC Radio – Download programmes including reading of novels, plays, documentaries, interviews, comedy and satire using the iPlayer Radio App. 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Book Fair

Trips to see plays (TBD)

Film viewings at school

Shakespeare Festival

Step up to English GCSEs (Year 9 into 10)

Guided Reading groups (Library)