English
Aims of the English Department
The main aim of the English department is to equip pupils with the skills that they will need to function as confident, compassionate and literate citizens so that they can fulfil their potential and lead happy and successful lives. We do this by:
- making the curriculum accessible for all pupils regardless of ability, gender or race through the use of a differentiated scheme of work and ensuring that lessons are enjoyable, challenging and engaging to pupils of all abilities
- providing pupils with a range of assessment opportunities encouraging them to reflect on their learning and strive to make further progress
- instill a love of literature in pupils to broaden and develop their understanding of the world in which they live.
What we do at Key Stage 3
All pupils at key stage three follow the national curriculum objectives for reading, writing (including grammar and vocabulary) and spoken english.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Autobiographies and Biographies | Novel - Blitzed | Science Fiction |
| Novel - The Philosophers Stone | Animal Rights | Media - Reality TV |
| Media - News | Poetry - Caribbean | Novel - Face |
| Poetry - Benjamin Zepheniah | Media - Advertising | Language of Warfare |
| Gothic Tales | Detective Fiction | Poetry - Women Through Time |
| Shocking Shakespeare | Much Ado About Nothing | Macbeth |
What we do at 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.
| Year 10 | Year 11 |
|---|---|
| Relationships Poetry Anthology | Reading Unseen Non-Fiction |
| A Christmas Carol | Transactional Writing |
| Unseen Modern Poetry | Reading Unseen 19th Century Fiction |
| Anita and Me | Creative Writing |
| Romeo and Juliet | Revision and Independent Study |
| Step up to English |
Extra Curricular
To support your child at home, you can explore the following literacy strategies:
1. Accelerated Reader
At Archers Brook we believe in practicing our reading regularly (one 30 minute lesson per week) to improve our basic literacy skills. Through Accelerated Reader by Renaissance Learning, teachers and pupils alike can track reading progress.
Click on the link below to take a reading quiz: https://ukhosted25.renlearn.co.uk/2244445
To find out if a book you have already read is on Accelerated Reader, use the following link: http://www.renlearn.com/bookguide/
2. 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: http://idlcloud.co.uk/dl/idlcloud.msi
3. Education City
Education City is a cross curricular web based program with a fun and interactive approach for children. Education City is often used as homework because again progress is tracked.
To log in from home, click the following link: https://ec1.educationcity.com/
