Welcome to English

In English, our key focus is to improve literacy levels as well as promoting and encouraging a love of reading. We strive to prepare students to succeed both in their GCSE assessments and life outside of school. Our team of teachers are all very passionate about our subject area and we are keen to share our love of reading and creativity with our students. We look forward to welcoming you to our school and encouraging you on your reading journey.

Key Stage 3

The English course at Key Stage 3 provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to access the English Language and English Literature courses in Key Stage 4.

At Key Stage 3 we encourage our students to build on their skills acquired at Key Stage 2, while preparing them for the range of skills that they need to succeed at Key Stage 4.

We have a strong focus on embedding and reinforcing literacy skills in all of our lessons. We strongly believe in the importance of written accuracy and the impact that this can have, not only on their GCSE assessments, but also in life outside school.

Reading

Key Stage 3 focuses on your first three years as a member of our school. These are: year 7, year 8 and year 9. At Outwood Academy Shafton we focus on a wide range of different novels to make sure you have a well-rounded experience. We focus on language skills and written skills and use the novels we study as a stimulus to inspire our own writing. During your time at OA Shafton you will read plays, poems and novels. Alongside, you will complete writing non-fiction texts and imaginative narratives. By the end of Year 9 you will have studied an incredible 13 books and nearly as many poems!

We can’t wait for you to join us!

Writing

In Year 7 and Year 8 our students develop their creative and transactional writing skills and learn the key features and conventions of a range of text types including narrative stories, descriptions, letters, articles, speeches, leaflets, reports and reviews.

Literacy

We have a strong focus on developing Literacy skills at Outwood Academy Shafton. There are four main strategies we employ to encourage students to improve their written accuracy, including:

• Explicit literacy teaching

• The First Five and Next Five (most common grammatical errors)

• The Dirty Thirty (most common spelling errors)

• Personal spelling lists

KS4

GCSE English Literature - EDUQAS

Component 1: Shakespeare and Poetry

2 hour written examination

40% of overall Literature qualification

Section A: Shakespeare (20%)

Macbeth

One extract question and one essay question based on the reading of a Shakespeare text.

Section B: Poetry from 1798 to the present day (20%)

Two questions based on poems from the Poetry Anthology, one of which involves comparison.

Component 2: Post-1914 Prose / Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry

2 hour 30 minute written examination

60% of overall Literature qualification

Section A: Post-1914 Prose/Drama (20%)

An Inspector Calls - J.B. Priestley

One source-based question on a post 1914 prose/drama text from the above prescribed list.

Section B: 19th Century Prose (20%)

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

One source-based question on a 19th century prose text.

Section C: Unseen Poetry from the 20th/21st Century (20%)

Two questions on unseen poems, one of which involves comparison.

GCSE English Language - EDUQAS

Component 1: 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing

1 hour 45 minute written exam

40% of overall Language qualification

Section A: Reading (20%)

Understanding of one prose extract (about 60-100 lines) of literature from the 20th century assessed through a range of structured questions.

Section B: Prose Writing (20%)

One creative writing task selected from a choice of four titles.

Component 2: 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transaction. Persuasive Writing

2 hour written exam

60% of overall Language qualification

Section A: Reading (30%)

Understanding of two extracts (about 900-1200 words in total) of high-quality non-fiction writing, one from the 19th century, the other from the 21st century, assessed through a range of structured questions.

Section B: Writing (30%)

Two compulsory transactional / persuasive writing tasks.

Section C: Spoken Language (non-exam assessment - unweighted)

One presentation / speech, including responses to questions and feedback.

Achievement in Spoken Language will be reported as part of the qualification, but it will not form part of the final mark and grade.

If you would like further information about the topics and themes being taught please contact:

Mrs Peasegood – Subject Leader

Link to Harry Potter reading clip with Miss Taylor:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/163HCGTV5EdQkHBbYkooi4tTXPuW3DH0Q/view?usp=sharing