May 16, 2008

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learning - departments - english...

English At Meden...

Key Stage 3

In Years 7, 8 and 9 students have six English lessons over the two week timetable.  One of these is a reading lesson timetabled in the library.  Schemes of work linked to the National Literacy Strategy are available across the Key Stage and each unit addresses a number of the NLS objectives.  This year we have piloted the App materials in Year 7 and this will be rolled out across KS3 next year. All of KS3 is taught in banded groups loosely based on their potential. Improving reading is our current focus with next year seeing us investigate the link between reading and thinking skills.

Key Stage 4

In Years 10 and 11, students have eight English lessons over the two week timetable.  We currently follow AQA specification A for English and English Literature.  We have a range of set texts available to teach in Year 11 including “Heroes” and “The Catcher in the Rye”.

At Key Stage 4 students are banded in to ability groups.  These vary from year to year depending on the cohort.  In the current Year 10 for example, we have a Target A* group, 3 Target A/B groups, 3 Target C groups and 2 Foundation groups.  We experiment with single sex teaching and have had success with this.

In 2004 Year 11 attained 56% A* - C grades in English and 64% in Literature.

Media Studies

Since 2003 the department have offered GCSE Media Studies as an option.  In its first year 45 students opted to study Media and last year this number increased to 65 making Media one of the most popular option choices. We offer AS and A2 Media which are also popular courses.  Recent results have shown that students success in this subject. We follow the AQA specifications at KS4 and KS5.

Key Stage 5

We offer English Literature and English Literature and Language courses post -16, and in recent years the latter course has proven to be the most popular with our students. Again results are encouraging. We follow AQA specification A for Literature AQA and Specification B for Literature and Language.

Extra Curricular Activities

We run a Writers Club for Year 7 pupils who are keen to develop their creative writing.  This is going to be developed to include Year 7 and Year 8 next year.  Some of these pupils are now published poets! Last year the department organised trips to go and see ‘Much ado about Nothing’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ at the theatre.