The English curriculum at lower school is rich and rewarding and intended for all our girls to foster a life-long love of the subject and of reading. As part of this students read a variety of texts including novels, poetry, drama and a Shakespeare play in Years 7 and 8. They also study media “texts” and are encouraged to read widely in order to develop their appreciation of the different genres and their critical skills.
In addition to these Programmes of Study, a strong focus is placed on enriching our students’ experience of English through a wide variety of extra-curricular activities such as theatre visits, poetry and writing workshops and performances by touring companies. We regularly enjoy hosting visiting authors and can boast that over the past years the following authors have given talks to our students – Tanya Byrne, Cathy Brett, Rachel Ward, Marie Louise Jensen, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Sophie MacKenzie, Suzanne Le Fleur, Lucy Christopher, Cathy Hopkins, Mimi Thebo, Holly Bourne, Bali Rai, Katy Birchall, Emma Carroll – the list goes on!
Course Content: Year 7 and 8 Curriculum Overview
| Term | Year 7 Programmes of Study | Assessment Links with GCSE | Year 8 Programmes of Study | Assessment Links with GCSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creative Writing Who Am I? Whole School Transition Project | Writing Language Paper 1 Descriptive writing | Multi- Modal Persuasive Writing 'Current Affairs' | Writing Language Paper 2 Descriptive writing |
| Speaking and Listening Presenting a point of view AO7 |
||||
| 2 | Non Fiction Travel Writing | Writing Language Paper 2 Presenting a point of view | Contemporary Writer Novel | Reading Language Paper 1 Writers Language |
| 3 | Contemporary Writer Novel | Reading Literature Paper 1 Modern Text | Speaking and Listening Discussion based on character AO7 |
|
| Speaking and Listening Drama - In role AO7 |
||||
| 4 | Drama Shakespeare | Reading Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare | Creative Writing | Writing Language Paper 1 Descriptive writing |
| 5 | Poetry Poetry Introduction | Reading Literature Paper 2 Unseen Poetry | Poetry Comparisons Moon on the Tide | Reading Literature Paper 2 Poetry Comparison |
| 6 | Creative Writing Descriptive based on a stimulus | Writing Language Paper 1 Descriptive writing | Literary Heritage Shakespeare Chaucer | Reading Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare |
The Content and Assessment Overview at Lower School can be found here [PDF]
Subject Specific Skills
In Lower School English lessons, students are expected to demonstrate a range of skills across reading, writing and the spoken word. These are further learnt and developed through our curriculum and enrichment opportunities. Students are also expected to be able to read for meaning through close analysis of a variety of text.
English Resources
Personal Learning Checklists
Assessment in Lower School English
How we assess?
In English students are assessed against our reading and writing specific criteria for each activity they complete. In each lesson teachers will make assessments and will provide students with verbal feedback. Progress is measured against their Flightpath targets set in Year 7 (Emerging, Rising, Mastering). Students are actively encouraged to conduct self and peer-assessments regularly in addition to staff comments within English lessons.
When we assess?
In English, formal assessments take place four times a year- for creative writing units and poetry, there is one assessment a Term, but for units where analysis skills are being developed, the assessments run over two terms.
In addition to formal assessments, peer and self-assessment as well as verbal staff feedback occurs in each lesson. Students form their self-assessment against personal targets after each activity in their Flightpath Progress tracking sheet, which is followed by teacher comment.
Marking of Students Work and Feedback:
Students’ work is expected to be marked by the teacher once every 6 lessons in line with the school marking policy. Teachers will specifically indicate what work will and will not be marked in order to give our students a clear idea of what is expected from them and so they can always present their best work. Every student will have a copy of our marking policy so they know exactly what they can expect.
Assessment feedforward sheets are used as part of the assessment marking process at the end of each unit which usually marries up to each term. Teacher comments provide guidance on how students can improve their level of understanding. Teachers are expected to review all peer assessed and self-assessed work and provide guidance when necessary.
Students are encouraged to self- and peer-assess their work through the use of our Green and Purple pens.
Setting in Lower School English
- In Year 7: all students are set by their KS2 National Reading levels taken in Year 6
- All students in Years 7 and 8 are set according to assessed ability and progress
In line with School Policy, set moves are made twice a year where necessary. This is based directly on academic performance through the formal assessments and classroom contributions throughout the year.
Homework
- English homeworks have been designed to support your daughter’s progress throughout the year and provide challenge tasks. Students will read set texts in their own time
- Written homework will always be to enhance and consolidate learning that has gone on in the classroom
- Maximum intended length of homework per subject should normally be 30 mins per week in Year 7, extending to 45 minutes in Year 8
Supporting Your Daughter in Lower School English
There are a number of ways you can support your daughter in English:
- Ensure your daughter completes any reading homework within the deadline so they do not fall behind and can access the topics/themes studied in class time
- Make sure that your daughter has a reading book in her school bag at all times and encourage her to read widely
- Encourage your daughter to make full use of the Accelerated Reading scheme that runs at Hayesfield, checking she has her login and password stuck at the front of her planner and supporting her to quiz on and discuss the books she reads
- Encourage attendance to the many and varied Period 6 LEAP activities we offer in English
- Share your love of literature and language with your daughter – have discussions about what she is reading, discuss newspaper articles and help expand her vocabulary.
- Encourage her to do well – a good English GCSE grade will open many doors in the future!
