English

Key Stage 3

At Thistley Hough High School English is taught to all students in Years 7 to 9 in units of work each of which lasts for approximately half a term. Students are taught in sets according to ability, based upon internal and external assessments. Movements between sets takes place where necessary.

We aim to provide students with a lively, practical course, which will motivate and inspire them about reading, writing and language. The course is skills based and all units will cover the areas of speaking, listening, reading, writing and knowledge about language. This is done through group work, independent learning as well as research.

Assessment is carried out through regular monitoring of class work and homework and through performance in assessment tasks. Levels awarded in Progress Reports, relate to the progress that students make.

Students will read a range of fiction and non-fiction, including at least one play by Shakespeare as well as poetry. Writing skills are explicitly taught from Year 7 onwards and students are encouraged to write creatively as well as developing their skills in a range of non-fiction writing.

Key Stage 4

At Thistley Hough High School English is taught to all students in Years 10 and 11. It is normal for students to have the same English teacher for the two years of the course.

We aim to provide students with a lively, practical course, which will motivate and inspire them about reading, writing and language. All students are entered for AQA English "A" and the majority for AQA English Literature. A few students are entered for WJEC Certificate of Educational Achievement in English.

Coursework is completed in Year 10 and consists of the following five units:

• Original Writing
• Media
• Shakespeare
• Pre-1914 Prose Study
• Post 1914-Drama

Year 11 focuses on examination preparation with a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry being studied. There is also calendared time for students to improve upon coursework pieces where necessary.