English at Key Stage 3

The Curriculum allocation for Key Stage 3 is three, one hour lessons per week. Two lessons are dedicated to the syllabus and one lesson per week students follow an intensive literacy programme which aims to continue standards in spelling, grammar, punctuation , reading and comprehension.

Click here to view Syllabi for English at Key Stage 3

 

Key Stage 3 Literacy

Our intensive literacy programme aims to continue standards in literacy across years 7 – 9.

Its primary focus is on the fundamental basics of spelling, grammar, punctuation, reading and general writing skills. The programme has been designed with the following aims:

Year 7 – As students arrive from differing primary schools, the aim is to teach the very basics with extension to ensure that every all students are at the same level.

Year 8 – This programme build on the revised knowledge gained in year 7 and introduces higher level tasks in preparation for year 9.

Year 9 – Extension tasks are carried out at a higher level in preparation for the GCSE syllabus in year 10.

All lessons are taught using short sharp activities with an emphasis on game playing and experiential learning. All topics are taught in a continuous rolling programme to ensure that topics are revisited continuously. All schemes of work fully comply with the National Literacy Framework.

Spelling

• All classes have weekly spelling tests of between ten to fifteen words.
• Students are issued with an independent spelling log where they record words that they specifically find difficult. Once every term, students will be tested on their own, independent words lists.
• All students are issued with a basic skills booklet which contains common spelling rules and methods for learning spellings. There is also space for recording terminology under different subject headings which build up into the student’s personal dictionary.
• All students are tested on an annual basis to establish their spelling age.

Reading

• Students carry a ‘Reading Log’ in their folders where they record all the books they have read each term. A prize is awarded to students who have read a significant amount independently.
• Literacy classes often involved a ‘paired reading’ programme where students read to each other and evaluate their own accuracy and confidence in reading.
• Reading Rainbow. This consists of a course of reading activities that aim to encourage students to read different types of books. Under each colour of the rainbow is a series of approximately four reading tasks ranging from short activities to extensive novels. Each task is accompanied by a piece of written work. Once all tasks in a specific colour have been completed, the student will receive a certificate. This programme is compulsory and students who do not complete it in year 7 will carry it forward into years 8 and 9 as necessary.
• All students are tested on an annual basis to establish their reading age.  During form time students are expected to read in silence
• All students are expected to carry a reading book with them to all lessons as teachers regularly implement ‘DEAR’ time (drop everything and read) for small sections of the day.
• The Accelerated Reading Programme was set up at the start of 2009 to encourage students with specific reading difficulties to improve their reading ages. Students are asked to read books at the correct level for their ability and then take computerised quizzes to test their knowledge of the book. There are prizes for each level. This has proved to be a highly successful method in improving reading ability across the school.

English in Year 10

 

GCSE English aims to encourage students to read with insight, developing and sustaining arguments and critical opinions as well as fostering an understanding of how writers use linguistic, structural and presentational devices to achieve their effects. English is taught within three different qualifications outlined below. Students may study both English Literature and English Language or can opt to study the general English qualification and Functional Skills.

 

Either

 

English (OCR)

 

Unit A641 Reading Literary Texts Controlled assessment (20%)	Response to three texts from a choice of texts and tasks. Candidates respond to one task on a play by Shakespeare, one on prose or literary non fiction and one on poetry. The latter two tasks must include study of text from the English, Welsh or Irish literary heritage and a text from a different culture or tradition.
Unit A642 Imaginative Writing Controlled assessment (20%)	Two linked continuous writing tasks from a choice of media
Unit A643 Speaking and Listening Controlled assessment (20%)	Three activities: Drama Group activity Individual contribution
Unit A644 Information and Ideas Written exam (40%)	Section A – Response to unseen passages Section B – A continuous written   response from a choice of two tasks

 

Or

 

English Language (OCR)

 

Unit A652 Extended Literary Text and Imaginative Writing	Section A – Extended Literary Text Response to one text (prose, drama, poetry or literary non fiction) Section B – Imaginative Writing Two linked continuous writing responses from a choice of personal and imaginative writing and fiction.
Unit A652 Speaking and Listening and Spoken Language (Controlled assessment 30%	Three activities: Drama Group activity Individual contribution Section B – Spoken Language One oral assessment - either a response to studying the Language of a public figure, the study of language technology, Media and technology or language and society.
Unit A653 Information and Ideas Written exam (40%)	Section A – Response to unseen passages Section B - A continuous written   response from a choice of two tasks

 

 

 

 Plus - English Literature (OCR)

 

Unit A661 Literary Heritage Controlled Assessment (25%)	Shakespeare and Film Audio Candidates respond to one task on one of the set plays and the film or audio version of the same play. Poetry A response to one task on one of the set poets.
Unit A662 Modern Drama Examination (25%)	Written paper Candidates respond to one task on one of the set plays.
Unit A663 Prose form Different Cultures Examination (25%)	Written paper Candidates respond to one task on one of the set novels.
Unit A664 Literary Heritage, Prose and Contemporary Poetry Examination (25%)	Prose - Candidates respond to one task on one of the set texts. Poetry - Candidates respond to one task on one of the set poets. OR candidates respond to one question based on an unseen poem.

 

 Year 10 - GCSE - English Literature (OCR) Old Syllabus 

 

Paper 1 – Drama Post 1914 20% 45 minute open book examination

• One question is answered from a choice of three. The first question is text based, the second a general essay question based on a theme or character and the third is a creative response. The current set text is R.C Sherriff’s ‘Journey’s End which is based on a group of soldiers in the trenches of the First World War

Paper 2 – Poetry and prose pre 1914 50% 1 hour 30 mins open book examination.

• Section A

Poetry – comparative questions based on poems from the OCR ‘Opening Lines’ Anthology which are based on First World War Poetry.

             Section B

Prose – Responses are based on Chinua Achebe’s novel ‘Things Fall Apart'

 

Coursework 30%

Three pieces as follows (two overlap into English Language also)

1. Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet.
2. Poetry - Victorian poets – Browning, Barret- Browning, Anderson and Rossetti).
3. Pre 20th C. Prose – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

 Sample Long Term Teaching Plan for this year

 

TERM	Pathway 1	Pathway 2
HALF TERM 1	Poetry Coursework – The Victorian Poets	Poetry Coursework – The Victorian Poets
HALF TERM 2	Different Cultures and Analysis – ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe	Different Cultures and Analysis OCR Opening Worlds Anthologies.
HALF TERM 3	Different Cultures and Analysis – ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe	Different Cultures and Analysis OCR Opening Worlds Anthologies.
HALF TERM 4	Revision, Past Papers and exam practice	Revision, Past Papers and exam practice
HALF TERM 5	Revision, Past Papers and exam practice	Revision, Past Papers and exam practice
HALF TERM 6	N/A Exams	N/A Exams

For technical terminology, follow this link: http://www.nevnet.etzion.k12.il/english/poetry/terminology.htm

Click here for the Recommended Reading Lists

 

Click here to view the Priory School Literacy Policy