English

English in the Lower School- Years 8 and 9

The English Department at Canons follows the National Curriculum so the pupils develop their abilities in four major areas: - Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening.

The work is divided into half-termly schemes to include examples of the following:

Writing

  • from personal experience
  • from the imagination (plays, stories, poems)
  • responses to books read
  • accurately with regard to punctuation, spelling and grammar
  • facts and information clearly
  • drafting, editing and presenting works in an accurate and detailed way
  • making notes.

Reading

  • studying novels, poems, plays and short stories in class including work by Shakespeare and other pre-20th Century writers
  • reading books chosen individually from the library as part of a readership scheme
  • reading works by other students
  • learning to enjoy and appreciate books
  • learning to read with understanding
  • learning reading skills.

Speaking and Listening

  • with a partner
  • in a group
  • to the whole class
  • clearly and with confidence
  • in drama and role play
  • listening with tolerance to views of others
  • discussing works maturely with others.

In Years 8 and 9 the pupils are taught in mixed ability tutor groups by the same teacher for the two years, where possible. There is in-class support for pupils who may need it.

Homework is set for all pupils twice a week. Year 8s sit QCA optional tests in the summer term. Year 9s take SATs in May.

English in the Upper School- Years 10 and 11

We encourage all students to take examinations in English and English Literature at GCSE. The subjects are taught as an integrated course and each student will be entered for two examinations. Both are assessed mainly by written papers at the end of the two year course. English comprises two terminal exam papers, making up 60% of the marks awarded. The remaining 40% is coursework, which includes oral assessments. English Literature consists of one terminal examination. This, however, makes up 70% of the marks awarded. The remaining 30% is coursework.

Below are useful documents for this stage of English