English

 Our Aim

The English Department at Downland School is dedicated to providing our pupils with the skills needed to achieve their personal academic goals. By valuing the importance of reading, writing and confident communication, we are preparing our pupils to become life-long, independent learners and contributing members of society.

We encourage our pupils to take responsibility for their own learning. Learning English at Downland School will be challenging, engaging and provide rigorous application of support and strategies to enable young learners to develop academically and personally. Independent and group-working learning opportunities, that are SEN adapted, are encouraged so pupils are fully prepared for the world beyond the classroom. Our curriculum is intentionally challenging to extend the learning of all pupils whatever their ability.

All pupils follow the National Curriculum for English at all Key Stages. This aims to ensure that pupils read regularly to become fluent with good understanding, but also for pleasure and information. We also use discussion to widen vocabulary, enhance understanding and to express ideas. The National Curriculum forms the basis of our core aims:

• Encouraging and developing reading skills and promoting a love of reading
• Introducing our pupils to a variety of genres
• Promoting an appreciation of literature within our classrooms
• Developing both oral and written communication skills
• Improving writing skills by exploring a variety of writing experiences including the writing of poetry, essays, and stories
  Teaching the research process
• Providing all pupils the opportunity to access the curriculum through personalised, short-term achievable goals
• Developing creativity within the subject using cross-curricular opportunities to reinforce literacy.
  To develop competence in speaking and listening, creating presentations and participating in debate
  

Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, we currently only educate Year 6 pupils (age 10-11). We teach literacy lessons to ensure that KS2 pupils are given the support and challenge they need to reach or exceed their age related expectations. At KS2, pupils are given additional opportunities to develop reading and writing skills, for example through text choices for topic and links to other subjects.
Pupils sit national KS2 standard assessment tests (SAT). These assess grammar, punctuation, spelling and reading progress and are taken towards the end of Year 6. The grammar, punctuation and spelling test consists of two parts: a grammar and punctuation paper and a spelling test. The reading paper comprises questions based on 3 different texts.

At KS2 pupils have four lessons per week and are given additional opportunities to develop reading and writing skills, for example through text choices for topic and links to other subjects.

Year 6 Curriculum Overview

 Key Stage 3

We teach Years 7, 8 and 9 in Key Stage 3. In Key Stage 3, we teach four literacy lessons per week to ensure that pupils are given the support and challenge they need to reach or exceed their age related expectations.  We endeavour to allow pupils to foster a love for English. We create specific opportunities to deepen knowledge and creativity, develop understanding and have a particular focus to further embed the skills of success from KS3 to 4 for example: advanced punctuation, textual analysis by providing opportunities to identify techniques and opportunities to use the necessary skills correctly.

Years 7, 8 and 9 follow a curriculum which includes reading and writing that relates to persuasive debate, creative and comparative writing and an introduction to Shakespeare.

WRAT testing is carried out bi-annually to ensure a starting point and that gaps in learning and skills are identified. Teaching tasks are then differentiated and personalised in order to achieve progression. It also allows support to be given across all subject areas with literacy. Core skills required for GCSE are introduced in all KS3 schemes of work.

From September 2020, the English department will be utilising the PIRA system of assessment; this will help to identify the areas which need developing for each pupil. In turn this will lead to development of personalised plans allowing for progress to be made.

Year 7 Curriculum Overview 

Year 8 Curriculum Overview 

Year 9 Curriculum Overview 

Key Stage 4

Teaching English in Key Stage 4 continues with the process of deepening knowledge and understanding of spoken language, reading, writing and basic literacy skills developed in the earlier Key Stages. Pupils have four lessons per week.

Years 10 and 11 study GCSE English Language and Entry Level Certificate Step up to English.

GCSE English Language

Examination Board: AQA (9-1)
Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing
Section A Reading 25% of GCSE – Section B Writing 25% of GCSE
Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
Section A Reading 25% of GCSE – Section B Writing 25% of GCSE

Both papers are 1 hour 45 minutes

Entry Level Certificate Step up to English

Pupils will either be entered for the Silver or Gold Step depending on ability.
Both Silver and Gold steps include two 90 minute papers.

Paper 1 One spoken language task, reading tasks that include short form questions and one longer writing task – 50% of exam
Paper 2 Reading tasks that include short form questions and one longer writing task – 50% of exam

Skills will be covered in Year 10 and developed and enhanced in Year 11. The teaching and delivery of the content is designed to suit the skill sets of the pupils, containing specific challenge and assistance to maximise their progress and achievement in the subject.

Pupils are either entered for both GCSE and Entry Level Examinations or just Entry Level depending on their ability.

Further information can be found on the following sites:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700/assessment-resources

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z98jmp3 (Revision for all Key Stages)