English
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9)
In the first three years of their secondary schooling, students are given multiple opportunities to explore the wonders of reading through a wide range of texts taken from the literary canon. They will develop and hone a range of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills that will prepare them for their studies and for their future careers.
Students at Harris Academy Peckham will follow a curriculum prepared by the Federation English consultant team along with a team of outstanding English teachers across the Federation. The KS3 schemes of work follow the aims and ethos of the new National Curriculum and have been carefully structured to prepare students for the rigours of the new GCSE qualifications.
Students have a weekly literacy lesson which focuses on supporting students to read widely and regularly and targeting grammatical accuracy in writing. All KS3 students have a fortnightly lesson in the library to allow them the chance to browse books and make independent selections.
Key differences in the new curriculum
The introduction of more challenging texts and a focus on retaining key information on character, plot, and themes will help prepare students for the new linear GCSE exams. By repeated practice in extended writing and redrafting, students will be able to hone their skills of reading and writing with a focus on improving levels of technical accuracy, which will aid their communication in all subjects.
The new assessments at KS4 will require students to be confident writing extended responses to a range of texts, both whole texts studied in class and unseen texts. Our KS3 curriculum encourages deep knowledge and understanding of texts studied whilst providing a framework for understanding new texts.
Assessment
The assessment system has been designed alongside our schemes of learning to ensure regular assessment of reading, writing and spoken language across a range of different genres and contexts. The assessment will be used to identify whether students are secure in their understanding of key concepts before they move on and to target intervention swiftly and effectively where it is needed. We will assess students’ progress in reading, writing and spoken language through classwork, homework and a half term unseen assessment for both reading and writing.
Regular extended writing produced in class books will be used to assess progress and identify how students might improve. Homework will be set regularly and will be integral in assessing students’ ability to work and apply the skills they have learnt independently. The teacher will use this assessment to inform their planning, support individuals and adapt lessons accordingly for their class.
Texts studied include:
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|
Classic Literature including: Pride and Prejudice, The Pilgrim’s Progress, The Jabberwocky Wonder by R.J. Palacio British Poetry Through Time Othello by William Shakespeare Historical Fiction |
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Poetry Across the Globe The Tempest by William Shakespeare The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne Greek Myths |
Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle Freedom Writers: Rhetorical speeches and protest writing 12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Animal Farm by George Orwell |
Key Stage 4 (Year 10)
Course Title: English Language
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: GCSE
About the course
GCSE English Language allows students to demonstrate their ability to use English in real life contexts and uses an investigative and analytical approach to language topics drawing on personal experience.
The course involves assessment on two different aspects of English:
- Reading and responding to a variety of different texts, including literary and non-fiction texts
- Writing for different audiences and purpose: how to write in a number of different styles so that you can craft your writing to take account of who is reading it, what its purpose is and what form it needs to take
How it is assessed
Course Title: English Literature
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: GCSE
About the course
In addition to the core GCSE English Language course, students also study GCSE English Literature. Students will experience a range of Literature with a wide variety of appeal drawn from contemporary and modern texts from across the globe and texts which have had a significant influence on our English literary and cultural heritage. This GCSE requires students to explore texts from a personal perspective and focuses on a skills based approach to the study of Literature.
How it is assessed
Texts studied:
Shakespeare: Macbeth
19th Century Novel: The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan-Doyle
Modern Text: An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley
Poetry: AQA Power and Conflict Anthology
Key Stage 4 (Year 11)
Course Title: English Language
Exam Board: Cambridge
Qualification: iGCSE
About the course
GCSE English Language allows students to demonstrate their ability to use English in real life contexts and uses an investigative and analytical approach to language topics drawing on personal experience.
The course involves assessment on three different aspects of English:
- Reading and responding to a variety of different texts, including literary and non-fiction texts
- Writing for different audiences and purpose: how to write in a number of different styles so that you can craft your writing to take account of who is reading it, what its purpose is and what form it needs to take
- Speaking and listening: how to deliver an individual presentation and discuss and respond to ideas with one other person
How it is assessed
The coursework assignments are as follows:
- Assignment 1: Don’t Get Me Started – an argumentative piece of writing on a topic of their choice
- Assignment 2: Creative Writing – a descriptive piece of writing based on a film clip
- Assignment 3: Response to Text – a letter written in response to an article
Course Title: English Literature
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: GCSE Certificate
About the course
In addition to the core GCSE English Language course, students also study GCSE English Literature. Students will experience a range of Literature with a wide variety of appeal drawn from contemporary and modern texts from across the globe and texts which have had a significant influence on our English literary and cultural heritage. This GCSE requires students to explore texts from a personal perspective and focuses on a skills based approach to the study of Literature.
How it is assessed
Texts studied:
- Controlled Assessment: Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet
- Modern Text: A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller
- Poetry: a range of poetry from 19th century onwards
