Pupil Equipment:

The classroom is fitted with an interactive whiteboard and students have further access to up-to-date software and relative literature to assist them to develop skills in speaking and listening, reading and writing. A computer suite is available for pupils to use for research, coursework and e-learning.

Aims:

The curriculum aims to provide opportunities for pupils at KS3 to:

• experiment with a range of approaches, produce different outcomes and play with language
• engage in specific activities that develop speaking and listening skills
• use speaking and listening to develop their reading and writing
• develop independence in writing
• produce extended writing to develop their ideas in depth and detail
• draw on their reading and knowledge of linguistic and literary forms when composing their writing
•  develop skills through work that makes cross curricular links with other subjects
• write for contexts and purposes beyond the classroom
• develop independence in reading
• engage with whole texts for sustained periods
• One to one Literacy intervention is used to give pupils confidence in reading and aims to further develop pupils basic skills and so, aid progression

Outline of curriculum:

In years 7, 8 and 9 the aim of lessons is to learn and build on the skills they need to be able to communicate with others within school and in the wider world, which is fundamental to learning in all curriculum subjects.

Through the use of APP (Assessing Pupils’ Progress) reading, writing and speaking & listening assessments, as well as GCSE transitional activities, students develop skills that they will need to participate in society and employment.

In year 9, students are introduced to exam style topics like presentational devices and writing to style, purpose and audience which is intended to make the transition into GCSE English a lot smoother. Pupils learn to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.

Students are also introduced to rich and influential Literature in KS3 English, such as, Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men. This is intended to reflect the experiences of people from many countries and times and contributes to their sense of cultural identity. Pupils learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction and media texts, gaining access to the pleasure and world of knowledge that reading offers.