English

Head of Department:  Mrs P Rudhun-Imrith

Teacher of English:  Mr S Ansell (KS3 Coordinator)

Teacher of English:  Ms D Kelly  (SLT)

Teacher of English:  Ms A Thomas (KS4 and EAL Coordinator)

Teacher of English:  Mr S Fink (Literacy Coordinator)

Teacher of English:  Ms C Biggs

Teacher of English:  Mrs D Assan (SENCo)

Teacher of English:  Mr J Eccles (DHoY)

Teacher of English:  Miss M Murawski (Deputy SENCo)

 

 

English at All Saints is taught with relish, by specialists and enthusiasts. Our classes allow maximum opportunity for discussion and the development of individual response. As a core subject, English plays a central role in helping students to develop into confident writers, analytical readers and fluent speakers. Students study a range of literary and non -fiction texts which includes the moving image and makes use of information technology.

 

A range of innovative approaches to learning are adopted to the study of English which includes peer teaching allowing students to be independent thinkers and take greater responsibility for their own learning.

 

Students are given ample opportunities to study in a range of contexts where they can take part in exciting projects and interclass competitions making the study of English dynamic and engaging.

 

Our teachers are experts and passionate about their subject. They are committed to our common aim of making students confident, analytical and inquisitive learners who enjoy and achieve.

 

 

KS3

At Key Stage 3 students follow a rich and varied curriculum designed to engage and challenge them as learners. Students are taught to acquire high standards of communication within the spoken and written word.

Students read from a wide range of genres and are encouraged to respond critically and creatively. The range of works studied covers pre-1914 and contemporary literature including prose, poetry and drama.  Students also study seminal world literature and two Shakespeare plays. Students are encouraged to read independently to develop an appreciation and love of reading.

 

Students are taught to write for a variety of purposes and in a wide range of forms including stories, poetry and other non-narrative texts such as letters and speeches. They are encouraged to draft and edit their work refining vocabulary choice and amending grammar to improve the overall effectiveness of a given piece.

Students are taught to give presentations and speeches in a variety of contexts and are encouraged to participate in classroom debates and discussions.

 

All Saints English Department offers a range of enrichment activities and experiences such as Holocaust Education Day, Poetry Slam and a Spelling Bee Competition.

 

 

KS4

At All Saints, students prepare for the new specification English GCSEs, validated by AQA. Students follow a 3 year course for a double award of English Language and English Literature. Our exam results have been very good year on year. At KS4 we pride ourselves on using innovative teaching techniques, which are often dynamic, interactive and collaborative, including the use of ICT.

 

When studying literature, we explore the historical contexts in detail, providing opportunities for students to carry out their own independent research and giving presentations to their peers. We are proud of the rich cultural diversity of the school, providing us with invaluable resources that enable us to tap into such writing as poetry that deals with and celebrates identity. This study is enhanced by the use of visual stimuli such as clips of the poets reading their own work, and by giving students the opportunity to articulate their own responses in relation to their cultural backgrounds.

 

Exam Board Specifications & Text books used

 

AQA GCSE English Language

 

Controlled Assessments in the following areas:

• Extended Reading

• Writing – to entertain, to inform and to review

• Analysis of Spoken Language

 

Examination – Unit 1 - 2h 15 mins assessing Reading and Writing

NEW GCSE SPEC (first exam in 2017)

English Language- (8700)

 

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Section A: Reading (40 marks)

• One Literature fiction text (25%)

• 20th or 21st century prose fiction- extracts from novels and short stories: openings, endings, points of view, narrative perspectives etc.

 

Students must consider how writers use narrative and description techniques to capture the interest of readers.

 

Section B: Writing (40 Marks)

• Descriptive or narrative writing (25%)

• This will be inspired by the topic they have responded to Section A.

• This will be a response to a written prompt scenario or visual image.

 

English Language- (8700)

Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives

 

Section A: Reading

One non-fiction text and one literary non- fiction text (40 marks) - 25%

• 19th century and either 20th or 21st century; depending on the time period of Paper 1.

• Two linked sources from different periods and genres

• Students must consider how each text presents a perspective/viewpoint to influence the reader.

 

Section B: Writing

• Writing to present a viewpoint (40 marks) (25%)

• Students must produce a written text to a specified audience, purpose and form in which they give their own perspective on the theme introduced in Section A.

 

English Literature (8702)

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel

Section A: Shakespeare

• One question to be answered

• They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play, and then write about the play as a whole.

• ‘Romeo and Juliet’

 

Section B: The 19th Century Novel

• Students to answer one question. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then write about the novel as a whole.

• ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

English Literature (8702)

 

Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry

Section A: Modern Texts

• Students will answer one essay question from a choice of two.

• ‘An Inspector Calls’

 

Section B: Poetry

Students will answer one comparative question on one named poem, and one other poem from their chosen Anthology cluster.

‘Love and Relationships’- 15 poems

 

 

Section C: Unseen Poetry

Students will answer one question on one unseen poem, and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

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Students will be assessed on high- quality challenging texts from: 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

The texts must:

• be substantial pieces of writing

• make significant demands on students in terms of: content, structure and quality of language.

• include literature and extended literary non- fiction, and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism (both printed and online).

Grade Levels- 2017 onwards

9-A**

8-A*

7-A

6-B

5-B-/C+ (International bench mark)

4-C

3-D

2-E

1-F/G

 

 

KS5

The study of English Literature at All Saints Catholic School is challenging, exciting and extremely rewarding. The demands of the course offers students with plenty of opportunities to develop their critical thinking and communication skills to an advanced level. It provides good evidence of a capacity for independent study, research and analysis, suitable for university courses such as law, medicine and education.

 

Breadth of Study

The course, validated by the OCR, will build upon and extend the language- and literature-based skills acquired at GCSE. As shown below, this course will enable you to study a range of genres and historical periods. You will also have the opportunity to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the works of individual writers – modern and canonical.

 

The AS level English Literature course consists of two components which are both externally assessed examinations.

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