Key Stage 3 English
English at KS3
From Year 7 up we teach Language and Literature as 
separate subjects, but with one complimenting the other. We believe this to be important in preparing our students for the demands of KS4, where the subjects are examined independently. Classes are set according to ability and students are assessed formally every half term to determine the progress they have made. This gives teachers the opportunity to give detailed feedback to each individual student and set targets which will help them to advance to the next level. Each year formal examinations are sat in the hall in reading, writing and literature.
Our KS3 Language syllabus provides students with opportunities to develop and hone their technical, creative writing and text analysis skills, as well as preparing students for the new demands that GCSE 9-1 brings. They study and analyse a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, and become more confident as speakers and listeners. We teach using a range of strategies that makes learning accessible, challenging and fun with many opportunities to complete extended writing for real contexts. Classes are set according to ability and students are assessed formally every half term to determine the progress they have made. This gives teachers the opportunity to give detailed feedback to each individual student and set targets which will help them to advance to the next level. Each year formal examinations are sat in the hall in reading and writing.
| Year 7 study: | Year 8 study: | Year 9: |
|---|---|---|
| Shocking short stories, 'Our Day Out', 'Private Peaceful', 'Oliver Twist', Creative Writing, Shakespeare's Soliloquies, Travel writing and language over time. | 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' , Artistic Literature, 'Noughts & Crosses', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 19th century non-fiction, marketing and advertising, public speaking and newspaper articles. | 'Of Mice and Men', 'Romeo & Juliet', 'Unseen poetry', 'Blood Brothers', Fiction extracts from the 20th & 21st century. |
Staff encourage a love of reading in our students, who learn through a variety of fiction and non-fiction, including moving image media texts. Stories are brought to life through innovative lessons in classrooms, the library, ICT rooms and even at the Theatre!
