English at Paulet
What do students learn in English in Key Stage 3?
At Paulet, we know that words are power. In our dynamic Key Stage 3 curriculum, we endeavour to equip our students with the confidence to read, write and speak fluently. Exposing our students to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, we aim to provide our students with a window on the world. With us, they’ll meet fascinating characters, debate interesting topics and discover a love of words.
How do students learn in KS3 English?
In English, students join their teachers on a journey of discovery. We learn through classroom discussions and debates – listening and learning from each other’s experiences is very important in English.  There’s always plenty talk before writing and, in our lessons, English teachers love to model answers using the visualiser. Collaborative learning makes learning interesting and means that the whole class is on the journey together. We provide regular whole class feedback and students always know what they need to de developing to improve. In the English department, you’ll always find the learning buzz!
What topics are covered and when in each year group? What is the sequence of teaching?
| Year 7
Why do we tell stories? |
Year 8
Identity and the Individual |
Year 9
Society and Responsibility |
|
| Autumn | Animal Farm | Gothic Literature | Lord of the Flies |
| Spring | Myths and Legends | Much Ado About Nothing | An Inspector Calls |
| Summer | Shakespeare’s Stories | Of Mice and Men | Travel |
How are students assessed in KS3 English?
In English, the assessment process is diagnostic and provides teachers with valuable information about students’ learning gaps, which then feed into subsequent lessons. As we move through the term, students will have learning checkpoints which help teachers gauge students’ strengths and weaknesses – so that by the time they read an end of term assessment, they are confident and can succeed.
Homework
Students will be set one piece of English home learning, per week. This home learning will be dictated by the teacher and could the form of reading, consolidation of the classwork, a Microsoft Form quiz, spellings or a specific piece of research.
Extra-curricular opportunities
In English, we aim to provide one trip for each year group, per year. If we can, we love to invite authors in to speak to students, or theatre groups to perform to them. In addition to this, there is the opportunity to represent your house in our Spelling Bee competitions and even represent Paulet in the JTMAT Loves Reading Mastermind competition.
Cultural capital
No writer writes in a vacuum! When you pick up a book, or when you read an article, you bring to it your own experiences. The more limited these experiences, the more limited your understanding of the text. In the English department, we will aim to connect your world with the worlds of others! We will take you to remote islands, to California, to Mount Olympus, to Rome, to Dracula’s castle. We will see revolutions unfold, individuals fight against oppression, couples fall in love, class barriers being broken down. All this – in your English classroom!
CareersÂ
Without English, there are no careers! So, whether you would like to be a doctor, a plumber, a lawyer, a mechanic – you’ll need to be able to communicate. Succeeding in English will open the door to any career – but more importantly, it will help you to discover who you are and how you fit in with the world.