Prospectus/Curriculum
Welcome to the English Department!
Click here for the coolest website on teenage books
A Guide on how to improve your English GCSE Coursework
GCSE English (How to change your D Grade into a C Grade)
GCSE English Literature (How to change your D Grade into a C Grade)
LEARNING INFORMATION CENTRE
The LIC now has two members of dedicated staff. Ms Swinyard is a professionally qualified librarian with experience of working in many different types of library and joins Mrs De Bellis full-time. You can keep up to date with new developments , competitions and news on the LIC blog
http://nbslic.blogspot.com/
which can also be accessed from the school home page. Please encourage your children to visit the LIC which has space, resources and staff to help them with their learning, whether that is suggesting good books, helping with homework, advising on resources, expanding brainpower with chess or draughts, offering training on being a more independent learner or just providing a quiet corner to read the newspaper. We are open before and after school and during break and lunch times.
WANTED
The LIC is looking for good quality books to be added to the collection. We would be very grateful to receive any unwanted books (fiction and non-fiction) which could be put into our collection. Unwanted books might be discovered during a summer clear-out or bedroom tidy, or finished with after a holiday. If you are perusing the 3-4-2 offers this summer and can only decide on 2 titles, why not get a teenage read as the third and donate it? Bookplates with donor names can always be inserted.
Keep reading over the summer!
Research shows that reading levels can actually go down over the long summer break if young people do not continue to read in their own time. Please encourage your children to keep reading, whether that is books, magazines, newspapers, comics, cereal packets …. Reading is not about what is read, but that reading is enjoyed and habitual. Ideas could include talking together about books, getting them to read with younger siblings or all taking a book on holiday.
If your child is leaving
Please can you check that if your child is leaving the school this year that they return all their books to the LIC. Even if a book is discovered later on please send it in to school. Every book is important to us as it has been especially selected and will cost money to replace.
Assessment Objectives
English is a core subject, so it is studied by all pupils in Years 7 to 11. English Literature is a popular choice at AS and A2 level.
In Years 7 and 8 English is taught in mixed ability, form based groups. Regular timetabled library lessons enable students to develop their reading skills and participate in a library induction programme.
Creative and personal writing are strongly encouraged at this stage. Students are also introduced to the works of William Shakespeare, studying Macbeth in Year 7 and Romeo & Juliet in Year 8. Students also study poetry, a novel, non fiction and complete a media module.
In Year 9 the Shakespeare text 'Much Ado about Nothing' is studied with regard to the National Curriculum Standard Assessment tests, and this detailed study is supported by a theatrical performance. Other units include fiction, non fiction and an introduction to poetry, leading onto preparation for GCSE.
In Years 10 and 11 students work in sets according to ability and follow the AQA GCSE specification. Most take the two subjects: English and English Literature.
English Literature is a popular choice at AS and A2 level and student results are outstanding. In addition, there are many opportunities outside the classroom. These include:
Trips to London and local theatres
Lecture trips, particularly for Years 12 and 13, to learn more about AS and A2 texts.
