Year 9 English
Brief summary of the syllabus:
As in Years 7 and 8, work will focus on the three National Curriculum assessment objectives of reading, writing and speaking and listening. An extended variety of exercises will be set to meet the demands of the National Curriculum.
How pupils will be tested during the year:
All sets will take the same tests in terms one and two, set and marked by class teachers. In term three, pupils will take Key Stage 3 examinations that are set and marked externally, as at GCSE. Separate levels will be reported for reading and writing, as well as for English overall. There will be a reading booklet containing three texts; the questions will be varied in format. The assessment of writing will consist of two tasks - a longer and shorter task. The Shakespeare reading task will be based on the detailed study of two scenes from one of three Shakespeare plays. The questions will focus on two extracts from the scenes, which will be printed on the paper and pupils will be asked to write in detail on these extracts, making connections between them.
What skills/attributes are being developed and examined?
- An ability to understand and respond sensitively to all types of text, appreciating themes, attitudes and styles, as well as the way in which writers achieve their effects, considering different approaches and alternative interpretations
- The ability to de-construct language, and recognise a range of literary and linguistic devices, as well as employ some of these devices in pupils' own writing
- The ability to construct and convey meaning in written language, matching style to audience and purpose
- The ability to speak and listen in a range of contexts, including discussion, debate, pair and group work
What can parents expect to see in classwork generally and in homework specifically?
Year 9 will be used to prepare pupils for Key Stage 3 examinations in the Summer Term. Class work will consist of text and language-based work, focusing on literary and non-literary texts, and the study of a Shakespeare play. Pupils will also practise writing and speaking for a range of purposes and audiences, and will undertake a variety of exercises to consolidate technical language skills including spelling, punctuation and grammar. Pupils will be asked to complete two homework tasks per week, which will consist of structured reading and writing tasks, as well as research and consolidation activities (eg spelling tests; summary; re-drafting).
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What can parents do to help in the subject at this stage?
- Discuss the text being studied with your son. Even if these are not texts with which you are familiar, your son should be able to explain coherently what it is about, as well as being able to discuss aspects of characterisation, setting, style, structure and purpose. There is great value in this, as the task of explaining aspects of a text helps to organise and clarify ideas and allows pupils to develop and consolidate their own critical opinions of complex texts.
- Familiarise yourself with the content and requirements of the Key Stage 3 examinations. This will enable you to help your son to prepare, and provide him with opportunities to discuss with you his revision strategies, and his strengths and weaknesses on each paper.
- Read through some of your son's draft essays, and keep a close eye on his exercise book and marks. Even if you are not familiar with the text being discussed, you will be able to encourage your son to proof-read his work for basic accuracy.
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Summary of half-term tests, and the final Key Stage 3 examination:
| Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Writing |
Writing mock |
Key Stage 3 examinations - speaking and listening |
| Reading paper |
Shakespeare mock |
End of year exam |
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Pupil target-setting:
Feedback from tests and examinations, as well as oral feedback, includes highlighting the particular areas of the curriculum which have been tested, from which a boy can determine for himself those areas in which he is confident and those in which he is weak. Pupils are then encouraged to formulate action plans (as part of the bespoke tutoring system) which concentrate upon improving weaker areas. Such topics for improvement will be formally reported to parents on the profile.
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Revision:
Revision will be guided by class teachers in relation to each half-term test.
A note on setting:
Re-assessment of sets will occur at Christmas and in the Summer Term. Setting is based on aggregated half-term test scores and on marks for homework and classwork when necessary.
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What is required for Exceptional Performance?
To be awarded Exceptional Performance level in speaking and listening you must be able to:
- Appropriately adapt your talking in a range of circumstances.
- Initiate and sustain discussion in a range of contexts.
- Vary your expression and vocabulary confidently.
- Take a leading part in discussion, listening with concentration to complex speech.
- Be assured and fluent in standard English in a range of situations.
To be awarded Exceptional Performance level in reading you must be able to:
- Confidently sustain comment on the meaning and effect of a demanding range of texts.
- Compare different texts, considering audience, purpose and form.
- Analyse argument and opinion from different sources and comment on ideas.
To be awarded Exceptional Performance level in writing you must be able to:
- Write with shape and impact, showing control of a range of styles.
- Choose varied words to create an imaginative or persuasive effect.
- Use grammar in a variety of ways.
- Use linked paragraphs as a way to organise your writing.
- Spell correctly, including irregular words.
- Accurately and appropriately use punctuation to show sensitivity.
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