ENGLISH - Year 9

Teacher i/c Subject:  Mr A. Coates

Aims/Objectives for the Year:

• To consolidate pupils' skills in all areas of the subject and to give them the skills necessary to approach the GCSE course with confidence.

Course Description:

The abolition of Key Stage 3 SAT exam allows for greater freedom in the range of material that pupils will experience in year 9. As in Year 7 and 8, English takes the form of a skills-based modular course, exploring a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and media texts. Indeed, at this stage, pupils are expected to have a firm grasp of literary and linguistic analysis with a growing confidence in expressing their own ideas and opinions in response to a given text or scenario. At this point of the Key Stage, pupils will have experienced the full range of writing styles, with increasing emphasis on essay techniques and literary criticism. Furthermore, pupils are expected to exercise a high degree of independence and originality in their work in preparation for the increased level of challenge presented to them at GCSE

Pupils continue their study of literacy skills, developing and consolidating skills acquired in Years 7 and 8.

Homework Requirements:

Pupils are set one homework task per week. This may take the form of reading, research, writing tasks, drafting and planning or longer term projects. Pupils are also expected to continue their regular reading at home.

National Curriculum Assessment Procedures:

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. The teacher assessment level at the end of year 9 provides an indicator of the grade that can be expected of the pupil when they reach GCSE level.

Mr Coates Links  (please click)
Much ado about Nothing - Essay Plan (please click) or right click and choose "save target as"