English

Key Stage 3 :: Key Stage 4 :: Contact

Welcome to Eastbrook’s English Department. The purpose of English, throughout all Key Stages, is to produce pupils that are enthusiastic, competent and confident speakers, readers and writers. There are three main elements of English; speaking and listening, reading and writing. All pupils develop a range of skills in each of these three areas.

The English Department strives to meet the needs of students in a variety of ways:

• Delivering lessons that are challenging and varied in format and style;
• Choosing challenging literature for class study and recommending literature for students’ independent reading;
• Promoting the importance of independent reading;
• Thorough, constructive and formative marking;
• Celebrating and rewarding high achievement in the form of school merits and postcards home;
• Issuing within-class extension tasks;
• Entering students work in writing competitions locally and in national competitions;
• Sharing good practice; Taking advantage of INSET opportunities to keep abreast of current developments in teaching and learning:

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 the students follow a broad and balanced syllabus that relates directly to the requirements of the National Curriculum.

Speaking and Listening
Pupils develop their speaking and listening skills both individually and in groups. They take part in pair and group discussion work, engage in role play situations and develop dramatic skills.

Reading
Pupils read widely from a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, which may include newspaper extracts, autobiographies, diaries, poetry, prose and drama and at least one play by Shakespeare. Texts offered are taken from different periods in time and also from different cultures and traditions. Pupils therefore develop a wide reading knowledge, from the texts they read.

Writing
Pupils will write in a variety of forms including narrative, poetry, discursive essays, diary entries, letters and newspaper reports. Both technical accuracy and creativity are emphasised and pupils are encouraged to develop their skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Handwriting and Presentation
Emphasis is placed on legible, fluent handwriting and neat presentation. 

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 the students follow a broad and balanced curriculum that relates to both the G.C.S.E. syllabus and the National Curriculum. At present, our awarding body is AQA.

Speaking and Listening
The students have the opportunity to develop their speaking and listening skills through a variety of classroom activities. Twenty percent of the final English G.C.S.E. marks are awarded for this aspect of the course.

Reading
Students read widely from a range of texts. This includes poems from different cultures, modern and pre-1914 poetry, prose texts from different periods, a 20th century play, a Shakespeare play and a range of fiction and non-fiction texts.

Writing
Students are provided with opportunities to write for a variety of purposes,in a range of text types, for different audiences. Technical accuracy, planning and creativity are emphasised.

Handwriting and Presentation
Emphasis is placed on legible, fluent handwriting and neat presentation.

Contact

Head of Department - Michelle Connor - ConnorM@eastbrookbardaglea.org.uk