ENGLISH

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Key Stage 3 Overview

KS3 English at Alsop provides a thorough range of opportunities for students to develop their reading, writing and speaking & listening skills. KS3 at Alsop is structured around the progress of each individual learner. We ensure pupils make progress each term through a rigorous programme of study which places no limit on their progression and reinforces our core ethos: 'Write like a reader; Read like a writer'. Our English teachers are experts at differentiation and formative assessment: we are a PiXL school who follow the ‘DTT’ (diagnosis, therapy, testing) model to ensure that any underperformance is tackled immediately and students are supported to achieve their potential. With a clear focus on redrafting and editing skills, pupils become reflective students throughout KS3.

Alsop Key Skills and Super Skills are the foundation blocks on which pupils build the ability to produce outstanding examples of extended writing and analyse written texts in detail. These skills are taught to students on a need-to-know basis following rigorous teacher assessments.

Speaking, listening, reading and writing opportunities are assessed throughout the year and differentiated texts are studied in each class set.

‘Catch Up’ Programme

At Alsop, we pride ourselves on our ability to identify the needs of each learner when they transition from Primary to Secondary school. This enables all learners to access KS3 skills regardless of their scores upon entry. For those learners who have not yet achieved the expected standard at KS2 we have a robust programme embedded within the KS3 curriculum. Our forward-looking approach is focussed on future GCSE success and is what sets Alsop apart.

Our ‘Catch Up’ curriculum allows pupils to close the gap whilst receiving a broad, balanced curriculum tailored for their current Key Stage. Through the use of meticulous classroom routines, carefully selected teaching strategies and intervention groups, pupils are challenged to become independent learners who have success using Alsop Key Skills.

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Key Stage 4 Overview

KS4 English at Alsop builds upon the foundation of success laid down in KS3. In reality, our curriculum is a 5 year continuum of learning from Y7 to 11. In order to prepare students for the rigorous 1-9 GCSE (Edexcel), students continue with skills-based learning as they navigate through the modules. Whilst studying a range of fiction and non-fiction texts alongside original writing modules, pupils develop and extend the skills acquired in previous key stages. Pupils are encouraged to become independent through tailored homework and study groups which rotate throughout the academic year.

In Y9 and 10, students prepare for their English Literature GCSE by undertaking a thorough and detailed study of the set texts, the authors and their contexts. It is through this that students build the confidence, resilience and analytical skills required for success in the English GCSE in Y11 – a qualification requiring them to be highly competent readers and writers who must apply their knowledge and skills to a range of challenging, unseen texts.     

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Key Stage 5 Overview

At KS5, the English Faculty offers A-Level English Literature and A-Level Film Studies. Both qualifications assess students’ analytical skill, application of theoretical and critical concepts and quality of written communication.

A-Level English Literature (AQA)
Students study the literary genre of Tragedy across three texts written in different forms (two novels and one drama). This is followed by a focus on Crime Writing across three further texts (two prose texts and one poetry). Both units are examined externally.

There is also a coursework (NEA) component which requires students to undertake further and independent study of one poetry text and one prose text of their choice, applying critical viewpoints.

A-Level Film Studies (WJEC)
Students study all aspects of film as a business as well as learning to analyse the language of film and how it creates meaning. They will study a wide range of films from different cultural contexts and learn how to apply a range of different critical theories to film. There is also a creative element to the Film Studies course which involves the planning and production of a short film and a documentary.

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Extra Curricular Activities

Debate Mate

Book to Film Club

Thought-Bubble Comic Club

Reading Council

Reluctant Readers

Reading Revolutionaries 

Study Groups

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Future Careers

Journalism
Teaching
Media
Publishing
Writing

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Useful Web Links

Downloads

A2 Specifications