This Term

This half term KS3 have taken on a survival mission to find Bruce (our school dog). We are exploring non-fiction texts so we are being creative in our English sessions. We are using Newspapers and letters to find clues and have also enjoyed a scavenger hunt. Being active in English has helped learners to connect with English in a new way. 

KS4 Learners have been focusing on engaging with their GCSE paper one, working together to craft key response. 

As a whole school we are also reading daily and engaging with groups texts such as "Noughts and Crosses" and "The Wizards of Once". This is helping  to build valuable discussions within our tutor groups and exposing learners to a broad spectrum of new vocabulary. Reading is a vital skill that will support our learners to access opportunities both now and moving into adulthood. 

Curriculum Intent:

Reading is the golden thread that runs through the English curriculum. The aim is that all students will see themselves as “readers” and through this develop a broader vocabulary and be able to use what they read as a model for their own writing.

Students will: read literary fiction and non-fiction to develop critical reading skills and techniques; develop their creative writing skills and write in a variety of forms for a range of different audiences and purposes; benefit from speaking and listening opportunities for discussion, debate and presentation.

KS3

This term we will be exploring to wonders to William Shakespeare through the epic tale of "Romeo and Juliet".  As always, I will endeavour to engage our learners by keeping our sessions active and interesting. We will be drawing on a huge variety or resources including books, scripts and film. Shakespeare is a really important part of students learning journeys, his work helps us to build our poetic understanding and explore powerful themes in text such as ... love, death, power, conflict, hate, revenge, war, jealousy, rivalry, fear, sadness, rage, hope, laughter and disaster.  This term will help to broaden the worlds of our learners and help them to develop both their reading and writing skills. 

KS4

This term will be a heavy focus on exam preparation. For many we will continue to explore and develop our GCSE skills and for some we will focus on functional skills. We will support learners to build both their writing and reading skills through targeted sessions, designed to meet their individual needs.