ENGLISH - Year 7
Teacher in charge - Mr A. Coates
Three lessons per week focus on reading, writing and speaking and listening activities as well as one discrete lesson per week focuses on specific literacy skills. In the Autumn Term, pupils spend one lesson per week developing library research skills.
The course is modular and allows pupils to explore a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Pupils will work with a range of stimulus material, from Shakespeare to modern novels and media texts. The faculty prides itself on providing a relevant and contemporary curriculum that aims to involve and stimulate each and every pupil. Pupils will, therefore, experience a wide range of writing that will help them to express ideas in a lively and accurate manner for a variety of different purposes and audiences.
As well as reading and writing, pupils will develop confidence in their speaking and listening skills in a range of contexts. They will learn how to involve themselves in formal group discussions; how to prepare and present a lively speech and how to use empathy and role play to explore other people's views.
In year 7 pupils are set one 10 min literacy skills homework every week. It is also expected that each pupil will read for at least 20 minutes every day. This will be monitored by the class teacher at regular intervals.
Pupils are continuously assessed throughout the year in line with the Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP) strategy. Pupils receive a range of levels to allow for close monitoring of progress in a variety of specific English skills. These fall under the three Attainment Targets: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing
At the end of each term, pupils are awarded a National Curriculum level for each of the Attainment Targets. However, more importantly, pupils are given regular feedback throughout the year that relates to progress and targets in the full range of Assessment Foci. These levels are then stored on a central database and noted in pupils' exercise books in order to map achievement and progression throughout the key stage. Pupils are given individual targets for progression and this is monitored carefully by the class teacher to ensure that every pupil achieves his or her full potential