English Department
Head of the English Department: Mr L Butler
Second in English Department: Mrs A Greswolde
English Department A-Level Co-ordinator: Mrs F Lake
Teacher of English and Assistant Principal: Miss M Woods
Teacher of English/Drama: Mrs S Wright
Teacher of English/Media Studies: Miss L Hughes
Teacher of English/Drama: Miss L Cooper
Teacher of English: Mrs R Stevens
Aims
- To help pupils recognise and appreciate the language and literature that surrounds us in our everyday lives..
- To lead to a deeper knowledge and understanding of the ways language is used to express ideas.
- To encourage independent thinking skills.
- To challenge pupils to examine their own use of language and ability to communicate.
- To benefit the ethos of the school through the encouragement of questioning and open and honest dialogue.
- To provide extracurricular activities that inspires and develops the student.
Vision
The English Department strives to inspire students to enjoy and question literature of all types and appreciate the uses of language in all its myriad forms.
We seek to widen the students’ experience of all forms of literature and language use from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. By using various resources we will endeavour to improve the students’ own writing and ability to communicate to a variety of audiences and in a range of contexts.
All students are given the opportunity to read classic literature and inspiring writing by traditional and contemporary writers. They are encouraged to explore their own situations and feelings through their own writings and develop techniques to express themselves.
Our extracurricular programme aims to further develop the whole child and celebrate the abilities within all our students.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Students follow a diverse Key Stage 3 programme. This programme allows them to explore the key elements of language. It offers an understanding and insight into the use and use of language. Emphasis will be placed on
Autumn Term:
Cross-curricular project with science concerning how to present information derived from Science study.
Class novel to be read independently and studied as a class.
Spring Term:
Poetry study.
Study of a Shakespeare text involving detailed analysis and study of Elizabethan Drama.
Summer Term:
GCSE coursework C20th Drama.
Key Stage 4 - Drama and Theatre Studies
AQA English specification A 3702
Paper 1 Section A – Reading Non-Fiction (15%)
- Use of presentational devices
- Effect of language
- Persuasive techniques
Section B – Writing to Argue/Persuade/Advise (15%)
- Use of vocabulary for audience and purpose
- Use of paragraphing and sentence structure to clarify meaning
- Use of punctuation to enhance meaning.
Paper 2 Section A – Poetry from different cultures (15%)
-exploration of poetry techniques and their effects
-analysis and interpretation of the poetry from the Anthology
- comparison of different uses of language and styles
Section B – Writing to Argue/Persuade/Advise (15%)
Use of vocabulary for audience and purpose
Use of paragraphing and sentence structure to clarify meaning
Use of punctuation to enhance meaning.
Coursework Folder (40%)
Prose Study pre-1914 novel (5%)
Shakespeare study (5%)
Media study (5%)
Original Writing (5%)
3 Oral assignments (20%)
AQA English Literature 3712
Exam paper Section A – Set Text Modern Novel (35%)
-analysis of author’s intention and techniques
- analysis and evaluation of form/structure/language
- evaluation of literary styles and traditions
Section B – Literature poetry (35%)
- analysis of author’s intention and techniques
- analysis and evaluation of form/structure/language
- comparison of different techniques and effects.
Coursework Folder (30%)
- Prose Study pre-1914 novel (10%)
- Shakespeare study (10%)
- Pre-1914 Drama (10%)
Key Stage 5 - AS Level
Literature - AQA AS 1741
Unit Title |
Description |
Scoring |
World War Literature |
Written paper. 2 hours open book. Candidates must answer two questions. One set poetry text plus wider reading. |
30% of the total A level marks. |
Creative Study |
Coursework. One prose text and one drama text. Two tasks: one on prose text, and one on drama text. 2000-2500 words in total. |
20% of the total A level marks. |
Language and Literature - AQA AS 1721
Unit Title |
Description |
Scoring |
Integrated Analysis |
2 questions on two set texts |
50% of total AS marks. 1 hour 30 minutes examination |
Analysing Speech and Its Representa-tion |
2 questions; one on a set text, one an unseen analysis of different speech texts |
50% of total AS marks. 1 hour 30 minutes examination. |
Key Stage 5 - A2 Level
Literature - AQA A2 6741
Unit |
Description |
Scoring |
Unit 4 |
Texts in time 2 texts : 2 Questions 1 pre-1770 Drama 1 pre-1900 Poetry Closed book |
15% of the total A level marks - 2hr exam |
| Unit 5 | Either: Literary Connections Coursework - A Comparison of 2 texts (at least 1 prose): 2500 words Or: Literary Connections Written Unit - Comparison of 2 texts : open book (at least 1 prose): 1 1/2 hrs |
15% of the total A level marks |
Unit 6 |
Reading for meaning (synoptic) 1 compulsory question : unprepared texts |
20% of the total A level marks. 3 hour exam. |
Language and Literature - AQA AS 6721
Unit |
Description |
Scoring |
Unit 4 |
Comparative literary studies |
15% of the total A level marks - 1hr 30min exam |
| Unit 5 | Texts and Audience Section A - Dramatic Study Section B - Adaption of texts for an Audience |
15% of the total A level marks - 2 hrs 30min exam |
Unit 6 |
Language in context Question 1 - Analytical comparison Question 2 - Evaluation of analytical methods |
20% of the total A level marks.2 hrs 30min exam. |
English results 2009
Key Stage 3 (212 Students)
Level 5+ in 2008 = 74%
GCSE English (206 Candidates)A*-C = 78.4% (Target in 2009 78.9% -0.5%)
A*/A = 28.4%
GCSE English Literature (206 Candidates)
A*-C = 80.8% (Target in 2008 78.9% +0.9%)
A*/A = 30.3%
AS/A LEVEL
Literature
AS (28 Candidates)
90% Pass Rate
A-C = 36%
A/B = 21%
A = 49%
A2 (30 Candidates)
100% Pass Rate
A-C = 60%
A/B = 30%
A=10%
Language and Literature
AS (16 Candidates)
86.7% Pass Rate
A-C = 53%
A/B = 33%
A = 8%
A2 (15 Candidates)
100% Pass Rate
A-C = 87%
A/B = 42.9%
A=13%
