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English
Subject Intent
At The Park School, reading, writing, spelling, speaking, and listening are key skills taught both in English lessons and across all subjects.
When students start Year 7, we focus on building their confidence in reading and writing. Each Year 7 student is assessed in English to create a learning plan tailored to their needs. We regularly check progress and provide extra support if needed.
We use a variety of interesting books, plays and a range of poetry to help them enjoy reading and connect with the world. Students also practice writing, learn to take feedback, and improve their work across all topics.
Students take home individual spelling lists and reading books at the right level to practice at home. They read in small groups several times a week and have English lessons in ability groups, using methods that help them remember and use what they learn.
In Years 10 and 11, students work towards qualifications suited to them ranging from Entry 1 up to GCSE, focusing on practical reading and writing skills to prepare for life after school.
Curriculum Overview
Year 7
|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
Rhyming poetry Non-fiction – Celebrating differences |
Fiction – Myths and legends |
Non-fiction – Instructions Plays – Traditional tales |
|
Reading – developing decoding, comprehension & inference skills through each genre Writing – writing for functional and creative purposes. Targeted SPAG activities Speaking & Listening – preparing performances/presentation of own work in each topic |
||
Year 8
|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
Poetry that tells a story Non-fiction – Inspirational women |
Fiction – Victorians |
Non-fiction – Instructions Plays – Comedy plays |
|
Reading – developing decoding, comprehension & inference skills through each genre Writing – writing for functional and creative purposes. Targeted SPAG activities Speaking & Listening – preparing performances/presentation of own work in each topic |
||
Year 9
|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
Performance poetry Non-fiction – Inspirational Great Britons |
Fiction – Quests and Adventures, Heroes |
Non-fiction – Heroes (autobiography and biography) Plays – Romeo and Juliet |
|
Reading – developing decoding, comprehension & inference skills through each genre Writing – writing for functional and creative purposes. Targeted SPAG activities Speaking & Listening – preparing performances/presentation of own work in each topic |
||
Year 10
|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
Love and relationships poetry Non-fiction – Our planet |
Fiction – Gothic literature |
Non-fiction – Human kindness Plays – An Inspector Calls |
|
Reading – developing decoding, comprehension & inference skills through each genre Writing – writing for functional and creative purposes. Targeted SPAG activities Speaking & Listening – preparing performances/presentation of own work in each topic |
||
Year 11
|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
Relationships poetry Non-fiction texts – Our environment |
Fiction – Gothic literature |
Non-fiction – Human kindness Plays – An Inspector Calls |
|
Reading – developing decoding, comprehension & inference skills through each genre Writing – writing for functional and creative purposes. Targeted SPAG activities Speaking & Listening – preparing performances/presentation of own work in each topic |
||
How we assess in English
Students are assessed regularly in every lesson through observation, questioning, and formal writing tasks to check their spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Their progress in writing, spelling, and reading is measured each term to ensure they are continually developing.
In Years 10 and 11, students sit formal exams and complete assessments that range from Entry Level 1 up to GCSE, depending on their individual learning goals. These qualifications prepare them for further education, training, or work after school.
Enrichment opportunities
Year 7 - Farm trip to support animal poetry
Year 8 - Chocolate Museum visit for nonfiction
Year 9 - Birdworld for creative writing
KS4 - Library trips, visiting speakers and seasonal events based on core texts
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How can I support my child with their learning?
- Read with your child for at least 10 minutes every night.
- Practise individual spellings with your child each night.
- Go to the library and find some books relating to the term’s theme to read together.
- Do some online research about the story/author/characters.
- Write your own story together.
- Keep a diary of your own for a week.
- Start to write an autobiography of your life so far.
- Write a letter to a family member, address the envelope, put the stamp on and post it.
- Write an email or text to a family member.
- Write a shopping list together.
- Use a dictionary together to find the meaning of any new words.
