English
The English department of Harton Technology College aims to encourage a lasting curiosity, interest and enjoyment in English and to create an atmosphere where students give their very best. We wish to ensure the highest level of achievement for each student and enable him or her to work independently as part of a team in a wide variety of activities. We aim to employ teaching methods and resources that allow students to have equal access to English and to experience success and enjoyment in all their work.
Key Stage 3
Students at Key Stage 3 follow a course of study based on National Curriculum guidelines. The English curriculum covers a wide range of activities under the headings of Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. We study at least three Shakespeare plays, poetry, drama and prose from the twentieth and pre-twentieth centuries. Students also study the media and learn to develop their analytical, argumentative and persuasive writing.
With the recent changes and the abolition of the SATs at the end of KS3, we are hoping Year 9 students will sit Level 1 & 2 functional Skills. We are also giving some of our Year 9 students the opportunity to study for their GCSE English Literature exam.
As from September 2011, Year 9 students will begin their GCSE English/English language and English Literature course.
Key Stage 4
Students will study either GCSE English or GCSE Language and Literature.
GCSE English
Unit 1: English Today
- A common unit with GCSE English Language
- Develops reading skills to analyse contemporary non-fiction texts
- Develops writing skills to express ideas and information clearly and accurately.
Unit 2: The Writer’s Craft
- Study of one Different Cultures prose text
- Study of one Shakespeare text
- Writing to analyse situations, issues or problems from a familiar context using evidence to support views or opinions.
Unit 3: Creative Responses
- Developing skills in Speaking and Listening
- Study of one collection of fifteen poems from a choice of four in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology
- Developing skills in writing imaginatively and creatively.
GCSE English Language
Unit 1: English
- A common unit with GCSE English
- Developing reading skills to analyse contemporary non-fiction texts
- Developing writing skills to express ideas and information clearly and accurately.
Unit 2: The Writer’s Voice
- Studying written language based on EITHER a non fiction text OR a Different Cultures prose text
- Non fiction text: Touching the Void - Joe Simpson.
- Choice of Different Cultures prose texts common to GCSE English
- Writing to analyse situations, issues or problems from a familiar context using evidence to support views or opinions.
Unit 3: The Spoken Language
- Developing skills in Speaking and Listening
- Developing skills in analysing the spoken language that we hear and use
- Developing skills in writing for the spoken voice – a choice from speeches, stories with a focus on dialogue and scripts.
GCSE Literature
Unit 1: Prose
- Study of two prose texts:
– one text from the Literary Heritage
– one text from Different Cultures. Hound of the Baskervilles – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Animal Farm – George Orwell
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson
Felicia’s Journey – William Trevor
Unit 2: Understanding Poetry
- Study of own choice of poems or key poems from
- the Edexcel Poetry Anthology to prepare for the unseen exam
- Study of one collection of fifteen poems from a choice of four collections in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology
- Developing skills in analysing style, language, structure and form.
Unit 3: Shakespeare and Contemporary Drama
- Study on page and screen of:
– one Shakespeare play of own choice
– one Contemporary drama text of own choice. - Developing skills in reading and responding to drama texts
- Developing skills in analysing the writers’ craft.
Poetry Anthology:
Relationships
Somewhere, Anywhere
Clashes and Collisions
Taking a Stand
KS5
Our new Sixth Form students have the opportunity to study the A level English Language, English Literature and Media Studies.
AS Language consists of –
Unit 1 is organised under 3 main content headings to reflect the specification.
- exploring the impact of Context
- analysing the Key Constituents of language
- studying the presentation of self in a wider social context of language use.
Unit 2
- Writing for a reading audience – journalism interview
- Writing for a reading audience – narrative
- Writing for a listening audience – scripted presentation
- Writing for a listening audience – dramatic monologue
English Literature
AS Examinations
Unit 1- LITB1
Aspects of Narrative
Four texts for study: two novels (at least one post 1990) and two poetry texts 1800-
1945.
Unit 2 - LITB2
Dramatic Genres - tragedy
Minimum of two texts for study within dramatic genre of Tragedy.
A portfolio of two pieces of written coursework (one may be re-creative) each 1200-
1500 words.
A2 Examinations
Unit 3 - LITB3
Texts and Genres
Candidates choose one topic area for study: Elements of the Gothic, or Elements of the
Pastoral
Unit 4 - LITB4
Further and Independent Reading
Minimum of three texts for study including one pre-released anthology of critical
material. A portfolio of two pieces of written coursework: comparative study of an
aspect of two texts (1500-2000 words); an application of an aspect of pre-released
critical anthology to a literary text (1200-1500 words).
Staff
- Mrs M Bates, Subject Leader
- Mrs C Chesborough, Assistant Subject Leader
- Mrs L Swan, Advanced Skills Teacher
- Mr S Ainsley, Advanced Skills Teacher
- Mr J Holt, Advanced Skills Teacher
- Miss E Parnaby, Head of Year (Year 10)
- Miss G Anthony, NQT
- Miss H Barclay, Assistant Head of Year 8/ITT mentor
- Miss L Wolfendale
- Geraldine Quinn
- Sarah Smith, NQT
