English Department
Pass Rates (GCSE 2008)
A* - C = 40.7%
A* - G = 100%
Our curriculum has been revised so that it provides pupils with a well balanced diet of literature, language, non-fiction, media and drama. Pupils are encouraged to improve their skills and knowledge while benefiting from an education that will enrich their learning. We want pupils to perform well in examinations and we ensure that they are thoroughly prepared, but we also hope that our varied teaching methods and resources will mean that pupils enjoy English.
During Key Stage 3, pupils are taught units that are written by our staff specifically for our pupils. We also have a Transition Unit that is series of lessons which begin being taught in our primary schools and are continued at the beginning of Year 7 by our English teachers. The aim of this unit is to prevent the ‘learning dip’ that sometimes happens when pupils transfer to comprehensive school, so that pupils continue to be appropriately challenged. In Years 7-9, all pupils complete a Core Task, which means that they are assessed carefully in the three Attainment Targets for English – Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. These then help us assess what National Curriculum Level each pupil is achieving and what their targets for improvement should be.
At Key Stage 4, we offer two GCSE courses – English and English Literature, or Entry Level English if more appropriate. The courses are carefully structured to ensure that pupils are thoroughly prepared for all of the different elements such as coursework, oral assessments and written examinations. Students are taught to read with understanding and study novel, plays and poetry, in addition to improving the accuracy and fluency of their writing in a variety of formats, such as narratives, descriptions, letters and reviews. Lessons in speaking and listening ensure that pupils develop life skills such as collaborating effectively in groups and the ability and confidence to present a talk to an audience.
Our contribution to school life extends beyond the classroom - we are keen to contribute to the extra curricular life of the school and as such organise regular theatre visits, contribute drama and poetry to events such as the school Eisteddfod and utilise the expertise of Miss Hall, as the library co-ordinator for the school, to encourage pupils’ wider reading.
Essentially, we are here for our pupils and want them to succeed. Should you want to know more about our department, then please feel welcome to contact me at Oakdale.
Reccommended Reads (click here)
Key stage 3 Information & Reading Lists (click here)
Useful Revision sites for GCSE English & literature
In addition to websites it is possible to purchase notes from bookstores for both languages and literature.
www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise (Basic grammar & punctuation, necessary to improve grades at all levels
www.bbc.co.uk/gcsebitesize/english
www.newi.ac.uk/englishresources
Literature revision sites
Key stage 3 Pupils
The following sites are useful if you want to improve spelling, punctuation, reading or writing skills
In addition, there are many programmes on the internet which are useful. Try typing in the specific thing you are looking for - e.g. "how do I use the semi-colon"
Past Papers
English Higher Tier - Paper 1 - June 2007
English Higher tier - Paper 2 - June 2007
English foundation - Paper 1 - June 2007
English foundation - paper 2 - June 2007
English Literature - Higher - June 2007
English Literature - Foundation - June 2007