English

INTENT

The English curriculum is distinctive, innovative and clearly planned to meet the needs of all pupils in reading, writing, speaking and listening. It promotes independent learning, wider reading and the use of ICT, while schemes of work adopt imaginative approaches, built clearly towards sequenced outcomes for pupils, which challenges SEND pupils to appreciate the importance of English in their lives after Archers Brook.

IMPLEMENTATION

Pupils are fully engaged through innovative classroom approaches, including multi-media, ICT and text. They make real progress in their own work as a consequence of teachers modelling reading, writing, speaking and listening including the use of questioning which frequently probes pupils’ understanding of language and literature. We use systematic approaches to target-setting and feedback support as well as challenge pupils to self-reflect on their progress.

IMPACT

Pupils enjoy English lessons and express their ideas confidently and with some originality in both writing and speaking. Pupils also express their ideas clearly in discussion and work effectively in different groups. They are able to show independence by raising thoughtful questions or helping to drive forward group work. Pupils enjoy reading a wide range of texts and can talk and write with understanding about them. They enjoy writing and write for different purposes and audiences.

WHAT WE DO IN KEY STAGE 3

All pupils at key stage three follow the national curriculum objectives for reading, writing (including grammar and vocabulary) and spoken English.

WHAT WE DO IN KEY STAGE 4

All pupils at key stage four follow the national curriculum objectives for reading, writing (including grammar and vocabulary) and spoken English. At key stage four pupils study for the Edexcel GCSE qualifications in English Language (1ENO) and English Literature (1ETO). Pupils can achieve between a Grade 9-1. Some pupils will also study for a qualification called Step Up to English by AQA where they can achieve an Entry Level 1, 2, or 3. 

EXTRA CURRICULAR AND USEFUL LINKS

To support your child at home, you can use the following web based literacy strategies:

IDL

In English lessons, we practice grammar skills in a single 30-minute lesson per week to improve our reading and spelling ages. Through IDL by Ascentis, pupils reading and spelling ages are tracked and monitored by staff.

To download the software for use at home, click the link below: https://appuk.idlsgroup.com/#/login

GCSE Pod

To log in from home, click the following link: https://members.gcsepod.com

BBC Bitesize

To log in from home, click the following link https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/

EXAMPLES OF PUPIL WORK