English

English is our language. We use it when we speak and listen, when we write and when we read. We use it at school, at home, on the phone or talking with friends. It is the way in which we communicate with each other and make sense of our world. It is also the key to understanding other subjects at school. For these reasons, achieving good standards in English is essential for all.

GCSE

During key stage 4 pupils undertake a number of written assignments. At the end of the course the best responses covering the following categories are submitted and totals 20% of the final mark:

Best writing - narrative/descriptive
Best writing - discursive/persuasive
Poetry from other cultures
Shakespeare

Pupils will also engage in a range of formal and informal speaking and listening activities during the course which contributes a further 20% of the final mark. These could include the discussion of a topical issue, a prepared task, response to a piece of literature, role-play or a debate. At the end of the course, the teacher will base a grade on the best three marks.

The remaining 60% is contributed by the final assessment of 2 written papers. Paper 1 assesses pupil's response to the reading of fiction and their ability to write description and narratives. Paper 2 assesses pupil's abilities to respond to non-fiction, for example, advertising, newspapers and magazines, and their ability to write formally, for example,report, article and letter writing. All these skills will be assessed during the course.