KS3 students (Year 7, 8 and 9) follow schemes of learning based around the English National Curriculum framework and the requirements of GCSE study in Years 10 and 11.
We are passionate about literacy and activities that promote key literacy skills have been built into the schemes of work. Our standards are high and our student’s study increasingly demanding texts including GCSE level texts from Year 8 onwards; although these texts are taught at an appropriate level to suit students’ ability. Reading, writing, speaking and listening are covered across the year with an even mix of knowledge and skills. Students are taught in sets and the level of work covered will depend on prior attainment.
In the English department, we are passionate about our love of literature and language and we endeavour to instill the same passion and love of learning into the students we teach. Although students’ achievements in final GCSE exams are important, through the foundation of our carefully planned Key Stage 3 curriculum, our goal is to develop our students into lifelong learners. We aim to create scholars of English, students who approach texts with curious and critical minds; who pick up a pen and write down their thoughts with confidence and who debate, discuss and voice their thoughts with conviction.
How to help your child with KS3 English?
Research shows that reading helps to improve vocabulary, communication skills and makes us better writers. Students need these skills for their English GCSE and for their future lives, including in the workplace.
Please encourage your child to read a variety of texts which they are interested in. One way you can help with this is to explore different texts with your child: magazines, blog posts, novels, and online articles. Key Stage 4 students would benefit from reading online newspapers such as The Guardian (in particular, the Opinion page to help them develop their persuasive writing skills) or The Independent. Key Stage 3 students could read news reports aimed at children (see here for examples).
When your child is reading at home, encourage them to use the before, during and after active reading strategies which they have practised in school.
| Before | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| Make predictions about what might happen in the text. | Summarise each paragraph in their own words. | Draw a picture or diagram which summarises the key information from what they have read. |
| Make connections to what they already know about the topic. | Look up any unfamiliar vocabulary in the dictionary. | Summarise what they have read in their own words. |
| Make a note of any questions which come to mind as they read. | Transform their reading into something else e.g. a video, song or poster. |
When we analyse texts in class we always ask students to think about What, How and Why. You could practice having these conversations at home with your child about different texts that they have read. The journals have resources to help students reflect on these three questions and we have set out the main questions which we consider in class below.
We have included reading lists here of books that will support and deepen your child’s knowledge in relation to the topics that we study in class.
Parents and carers can support their children to develop their writing skills at home through:
Handwriting sprints: If your child struggles with their handwriting, support them to regularly practice their handwriting through short, sharp handwriting sprints (5 minutes). Give them a short text to copy in their best handwriting. When they have finished, mark their handwriting with them using this handwriting scale. Focus on helping them to make small improvements in their mark over time.
Spelling and grammar: Spelling and grammar contribute towards students’ marks in GCSE English Language and Literature. You can support your child to have a strong foundation in these skills by working through the BBC Bitesize activities with them. They can also use the Grammar Bytes website for interactive activities to improve their grammar.
Please encourage your child to write as much as possible at home. Students will benefit from writing for a wide range of real purposes, for example:
Encourage them to plan before they start writing and to read through their writing and look for opportunities to edit or make improvements.
We have created a revision website for Key Stage 4 English Language (here). Key Stage 3 students will find parts of this very useful in developing their own skills, for example:
Note: to access the website, your device must be logged into a Stretford High School google account.
Review Recommended Reading HERE
