How to Improve at GCSE English - three DFES documents to download

English is a core subject on the National Curriculum and must be taken by all pupils in all years.

The National Curriculum states that: " English should develop pupils’ abilities to communicate effectively in speech and writing and to listen with understanding. It should also enable them to be enthusiastic, responsive and knowledgeable readers".

English aims to improve all aspects of communication: to help young people to become fluent readers, writers and speakers; to provide them with the skills to cope with other subjects in school and with adult life; to enjoy books and drama and understand the media.

There are three Attainment Targets

Speaking and Listening

Reading (which includes comprehension and literature)

Writing (which includes spelling and handwriting)

G.C.S.E.

With a few exceptions, all pupils take English at GCSE - and results have compared very favourably with the national average in recent years.

Many pupils also take GCSE English Literature ( a separate subject ) and do equally well.

Organisation of Teaching Groups

Year 7 pupils are taught for the first half term in their tutor groups which are mixed ability. After that, some setting by ability is introduced and this continues until Year 11. Exactly what form this setting takes depends on the ability range of the year group, but basically, the older the pupil the more setting takes place. A pupil’s place within the setting system is reviewed regularly through teacher assessment and regular half term tests.

Curriculum Content

Your child will be expected to read books and other types of written material both in school and at home; and to do a variety of writing tasks to show understanding of, and an ability to relate to, the text.

He/she will learn to write in different styles (eg: diary, newspaper report, poem, narrative, discursive) for different audiences and purposes using a wide, varied and appropriate vocabulary. Spelling, punctuation and grammar will be part of this. Sometimes writing tasks will be done in a group or using a computer.

He/she will be encouraged to talk, to discuss ideas, to listen and respond to others.

We do ‘sit and write’. We do read - sometimes silently ! We also have discussions, use computers, tape recorders (everyone likes to hear their own voice !), video recorders ( and to see themselves on camera; even better if they get to do the filming !). We make newspapers, do group work, recite (and write) poetry, and do drama.

Help for those with difficulties.

We work closely with Curriculum Support. All pupils in years 7 and 8 are tested for their ability to read with understanding. Some will be offered an Express Reading programme to help improve their reading skills.

All year 7 and 8 pupils will be involved in a structured spelling programme which will include weekly spelling tests.

Curriculum Support Specialists are involved with all year 7 English groups and with those groups which require help in other areas.

Homework

Written homework is set every other week in the lower school. Pupils are also expected to work on their spellings for 10 minutes a day, and to read at least one book of their own choice every half term. Some homework time is allocated to this but pupils should read regularly, preferably daily.