English

The English department is suited alongside MFL. The spacious classrooms enable the members of the team to use new technology effectively in lessons and to break out into small groups for specific activities.  We have an Intervention Room dedicated to the subject area which supports small group intervention work particularly at KS3.  We also have an IT room with PCs to accommodate a whole class, as well as a netbook trolley which can be used in classrooms. 

In English, in all year groups, students are taught in ability sets to facilitate challenge, stretch and support.  In Years 7 to 9, Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP) is the main form of (continuous) assessment used to ensure that students are working towards their target levels and to keep students and parents/carers informed of progress and attainment. Pupils are supported in Year 7 through the ‘Literacy Plus’ programme and the English department maintains close links with the Learning Support department. Links are also maintained with the feeder primary schools, particularly through the West Sussex Book Awards transition project and the FAB group. Students in Year 7 - 9 have two homework activities every week; one is an independent reading task and the other is designed to further develop and build on learning in the classroom in some way.

In Years 10 and 11, the majority of students will follow two GCSE courses: English Language and English Literature. Each course has controlled assessment components; in English Language this accounts for 60% of the grade and in Literature, 25%.  Some students will complete a single English GCSE alongside a Functional Skills qualification in Years 10 and 11. Controlled assessment will account for 60% of the final grade In English. Throughout Year 10 and 11 students will study a variety of non-fiction and literary texts which are assessed through extended essays and in the final examinations. 

Students in Years 10 and 11 develop their research, analysis and essay writing skills, building on their learning in Years 7 - 9. One homework task is set weekly for Year 10 and 11 students and these activities support controlled assessment preparation, take the form of research and/or focus on developing reading and other independent learning skills. 

Speaking and listening assessments form 20% the coursework component of English/English Language and these skills are honed in lessons. Students following the English Language GCSE course also complete a Spoken Language study which is assessed through a written controlled assessment.  

In the Sixth Form, we offer A’ Levels in the combined English Language & Literature course and in English Literature. At both AS and A2 level students complete two units in each course; one coursework and one examination. 

In order to provide students with a variety of learning experiences, theatre trips and visits are organised as and when opportunities occur. 

Gifted and Talented students are challenged through differentiation in lessons, accelerated teaching programmes, early entry for GCSE Literature and through extra-curricular opportunities, such as visits from authors and invited speakers. Clubs such as the Carnegie Shadowing, which is run in conjunction with the LRC, and the ‘Key Stage 3 Gifted and Talented’ group, are also available to stretch gifted and talented students. In Years 10 and 11 students are invited to join a Communication Technologies Club and a Creative Writing Club.