English

English at KS3

At Babington we have developed a KS3 curriculum in English that we feel prepares our students very well for the examinations they will face at the end of year 11, but which also means students will get to read plenty of literature.

The curriculum we have developed includes opportunities for students to read a range of modern and classic fiction, three sets of themed poetry and several plays. In addition, we have identified several half terms where students concentrate on reading non-fiction texts critically.

We have mapped out the curriculum so that students cover all of the essential skills they need in order to succeed at GCSE.

Students will be formally assessed in English each half term. They will carry out tasks that have been developed using the same wording or format as the tasks used at GCSE. In addition, students will be regularly given feedback on their written accuracy, to ensure that their spelling, punctuation and grammar improves.

Students will be set regular homework in English through an online medium which is an assessment, homework and revision resource that will support them with all aspects of their English learning.

English at KS4

GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature

At Babington, we aim for all students to study English Language and English Literature at GCSE.

We offer the AQA syllabuses for both English Language and English Literature.

In summary, in English Language, students will develop an ability to read critically and to respond to unseen literary extracts and non-fiction texts. They will learn to write for an audience and purpose and will develop their creative writing skills, too. In Literature, students will study one pre-twentieth century text, one modern text, a whole Shakespeare play, a collection of themed poetry. Students will also develop the ability to respond to poems that they have never seen before.

Typically, the texts studied at Babington are:

An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A collection of poetry from the AQA poetry anthology

Assessment and Curriculum Information

Assessing Students at KS3

In Key Stage 3, students are assessed against age-related expectations, which outline the way their progress is measured in comparison to national standards for the age. This is a reflection that we look at whether every student is below, at or above the standard for their year group.

Teachers use a range of evidence including classwork, assessments, and written tasks to make these judgements. Our assessment criteria are closely linked to the skills required for GCSE English, ensuring that students are continually building towards success at KS4. This approach helps us to identify strengths, address gaps in learning and provide the right level of challenge for every student.

Assessing Students at KS4

In Key Stage 4, students study the AQA English Language and AQA English Literature. Assessment at KS4 is intended to prepare students for their ultimate GCSE examinations.

Throughout Years 10 and 11, students sit a set of exam-style assessments and standard classwork exercises, marked against AQA's GCSE assessment objectives. The tests enable teachers to monitor progress closely, provide specific feedback and prepare all students to become competent in the reading, writing and thinking skills required to pass exams.

Knowledge Organisers

Knowledge organisers play a key role in our English curriculum. They summarise the core knowledge, vocabulary and skills that students need to acquire in each study unit. Students employ the organisers to support learning, revise for tests and secure long-term retention of main concepts.

Knowledge organisers help parents and carers understand what their child is being taught every half term and how they can support them at home. They are instrumental in helping students become responsible for their learning and establish strong independent study habits.

Trips, visits and residential opportunities

The English faculty has offered many opportunities to students to take part in curriculum related visits.

In recent academic years we have offered the following visit opportunities:

Whole year group trips to the theatre for years 10 and 11 to watch An Inspector Calls

Theatre visits to Curve theatre to watch Shakespeare performances

Theatre visits for year 9 students to view performances related to the texts they are studying