English
(Key Stage 3)
A prime aim of the English and Media Faculty is to enable all our students to communicate effectively in both the written and spoken word. Working within the National Curriculum and alongside the English Framework for Literacy we aim to provide all our pupils with the skills and abilities to be successful across the Key Stages. In addition, it is a major focus of our English teaching that the pupils make full use of their reading skills for both learning and enjoyment. We encourage them to bring a reading book of their choice to the lessons and pupils and teacher can regularly be seen reading silently at the beginning of a lesson.
We fully recognise and appreciate the importance of the media in our daily lives and equally we believe it is vital that our pupils are aware of its influence and effect. For this reason, media genre and tools are used both as teaching aids and as areas of study. For example, we may look at the role of advertising, the narrative of TV programmes, lighting, music, camera work in film, news reporting; the possibilities are endless and through this the pupils gain new skills and knowledge which will of course be essential at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
Pupils are expected to take great pride in their work; the use of ICT and presentation skills are encouraged. The displays of pupils' work in our teaching bases reflects the high standard of work produced by students. We encourage all our pupils to provide themselves with a dictionary and thesaurus.
In Year 7 the pupils are taught in tutor groups. Towards the end of this first year we begin to make an assessment of the most suitable grouping for Year 8. This decision is made through careful negotiation with the subject teacher making use of Key Stage 2 levels, reading and spelling ages, CATs scores, predicted Key Stage levels and most importantly teacher assessment. During the remainder of Key Stage 3 and then through Key Stage 4 the pupils are taught in groups which best suit their potential and level of ability. At key times during the year, the teachers will meet to discuss the progress of pupils and when necessary adjustments will be made. The grouping of pupils is flexible; we recognise that children mature and develop at different rates and at times we will need to make changes in order that all our pupils can reach and fulfil their true potential.
English Language and English Literature.
(GCSE)
Over years 10 and 11 pupils will have many opportunities to gain confidence and skill in all of these areas, expressing their own ideas and listening to those of others.
The essence of English is variety. English is not just concerned with reading and writing; it also involves speaking and listening. Some of the work that you do will be concerned with real lives and real situations. This will mean carrying out such tasks as writing letters, articles and giving instructions. Sometimes students will be asked to take the part of a person in a particular situation or of a character in a novel or play. It is interesting to imagine how you would react in the same situation. Students will read novels and short stories, poems and plays. Students will also be able to write their own stories, poems or plays. Sometimes they will watch films or video tapes. They will always be encouraged to explore their own ideas about what they have read or seen and to talk about them with other students. They will be encouraged to use the College's word processing facilities to present some of their work.
Assessment will be by final examination and coursework. Consequently the work that you do, both written and spoken, during the course will count towards your final two GCSE grades in English Language and in either English Literature or Media Studies.
GCSE Assessment
English - 60% written examination, 40% coursework
English Literature- 70% examination, 30% coursework
Media Studies – 50% examination, 50% coursework
Media Studies
(GCSE)
The mass media play an increasingly essential role in contemporary society, providing us with information and entertainment. In addition the media play an important part in shaping attitudes and social values.
This course will enable you to develop an understanding of the role of mass media in society. It encourages you to develop your ability to:
- respond critically and analytically to a range of mass media texts;
- gain a broad knowledge of the industrial and commercial nature of media production;
- investigate the nature of media consumption by different audiences;
- enhance your skills in the planning and creation of media products
- engage with the developing world of media technologies
The aspects of the media that you will study will, for example, include audiences and how they are encouraged to respond to magazines, or the ways groups of people are represented in film, or the conventions of popular music production.
Assessment
Assessment is by means of a coursework folder and an examination, which uses pre-release materials that you will study in preparation for taking the test. Your teacher will guide your work on the coursework element of the course.
Examples of the media will come from a variety of cultures. These examples of the media are likely to include film, websites, magazines, newspapers, radio and television.
The coursework is divided into two sections that are worth the same number of marks:
Section A: written coursework assignments
Section B: practical production and supporting account
If you are interested in the media, then this is the course for you!
HEAD OF ENGLISH & MEDIA STUDIES: Ms R Smyth
