KS3 English

Download: KS3 English Overview

English at Key Stage 3	Core
Outline of course and examples of learning outcomes: English is an ever-changing and ever-evolving subject. It prepares students for many of the everyday tasks facing them in adult life as well as giving them the opportunity to develop themselves as confident and independent readers with inquisitive minds. As a result, the English curriculum covers everything from the acclaimed works of William Shakespeare to the practical implications of writing job applications. During KS3 pupils will begin the journey to becoming insightful and independent writers and will also be encouraged to develop their skills as independent and inquisitive readers. We hope that, as a result of our particularly tailored curriculum, our students will: Develop an appreciation and love of reading, and read increasingly challenging material independently through: reading a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, including in particular whole books, short stories, poems and plays with a wide coverage of genres, historical periods, forms and authors. The range will include high-quality works from: English literature, both pre-1914 and contemporary, including prose, poetry and drama Shakespeare (two plays) seminal world literature choosing and reading books independently for challenge, interest and enjoyment. re-reading books encountered earlier to increase familiarity with them and provide a basis for making comparisons. understand increasingly challenging texts through: learning new vocabulary, relating it explicitly to known vocabulary and understanding it with the help of context and dictionaries making inferences and referring to evidence in the text knowing the purpose, audience for and context of the writing and drawing on this knowledge to support comprehension checking their understanding to make sure that what they have read makes sense. knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, presents meaning recognising a range of poetic conventions and understanding how these have been used studying setting, plot, and characterisation, and the effects of these understanding how the work of dramatists is communicated effectively through performance and how alternative staging allows for different interpretations of a play making critical comparisons across texts studying a range of authors, including at least two authors in depth each year. in accordance with national curriculum guidelines. Learning Organisation This is a three-year course stretching from the beginning of year 7 to the end of year 9. Pupils in this key stage will typically have four fifty minute lessons per week. We use a variety of textbooks, online resources, novels and other resources to ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide variety of different text types and that they read often and broadly. Each term a new unit of work is planned to ensure variety and coverage of all aspects of the curriculum. At the end of each term, pupils will be assessed on their reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. Examination Organisation All current KS3 pupils will be sitting the revised GCSE exam, . There are some notable changes from previous exams. These include an un-tiered paper and a move from a system of grades (A – G) to numbers (9-1). This means that, from September 2015, pupils entering KS4 have been taught according to new examination specifications.
Assessment Organisation In KS3 the class teacher assesses pupils at the end of every term. They are then given an age related expectation grading.. The teacher and pupil will then set targets for the pupil to achieve in order to make progress and improve their grade during the following term. This process ensures that the pupils understand their own levels/grades and what they need to do to improve thus encouraging pupils to take an active role in their learning.
You may follow this with a wide range of options. An English qualification is essential for most college/university places. It is also looked upon favourably when applying for a job or an apprenticeship. Pupils can carry on with the subject itself at A level and at university level, or use it as a springboard to help them to achieve in other areas, such as arts or the sciences. Associated employment – many employers demand a 4/5 at GCSE English as a prerequisite for employment.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum