Welcome to the English Department

 

Overview

The Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College English department continues to improve and develop. Our students have benefited greatly from the successful implementation of the Key Stage 3 National literacy Strategy. There has been a continuous improvement in SATs and GCSE results, last year contributing significantly to the school achieving its best ever GCSE results! The success of the department is also reflected in the uptake of A Level English Literature with a record number of students opting for the new AS Level course. From September we also hope to offer AS English Language too.

From Year 7, student potential is maximized by ability streaming based on thorough assessments and student setting continues to be reviewed each term during Key Stage 3. Top set students have a specially enhanced programme designed to make strong academic demands on them and to further their interest and enthusiasm for the subject. Reading, writing and speaking and listening skills are developed and assessed.

In any year, a mixture of learning activities is used, including teacher led discussions and tasks, small group investigations, use of ICT, practical projects and text book practice. To assist our teaching interactive whiteboards are installed in all classrooms. Our aim is to make English as accessible and enjoyable as possible for all our students through the use of a variety of teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles.

 

 

Staff

 

• Mrs K Chavelli
• Ms K Connell (also teacher of Media Studies)
• Ms E Coyle (Co-ordinator for Year 9 and Extra Curricular co-ordinator)
• Ms M Di Lullo (Co-ordinator for Years 7 and 8)
• Mr T Foley
• Mr C Foley (also Curriculum Leader, Media Studies)
• Ms J Khawam (Second in Department/Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator)
• Mr K Liffen (Curriculum Leader)
• Mrs D McLean Boyd (Deputy Head)

           

                       

Equipment

Every lesson you will need to bring the following:

• Exercise book

• Blue or black pen

• Green pen

• Pencil

• Rubber

 Sometimes you will also need to bring a copy of the class text

 

Presentation 

• Underline the date and title

• Copy the learning objectives for the lesson

• Use neat, readable handwriting

 Scheme of Work English at The Convent

Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9)

The department follows the Literacy Strategy Framework forTeaching English throughout

KS3. The content of the framework is divided into units ofwork based on the following

main areas:

• Reading

• Writing

• Speaking and listening

These areas are revisited and extended throughout years 7, 8 and 9 in order to deepen

understanding and build upon previous knowledge.Towards the end of Year 9, pupils sit

the externally-marked end-of-KS3 SATs exam. In addition, all pupils in KS3 are assessed

half-termly and given a level based on the Framework’s requirements to monitor progress

in each of the three areas.

 

Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)

In Years 10 and 11, pupils follow the AQA GCSE English (Specification A) and AQA GCSE

English Literature courses.

For more information, see the GCSE Course Content page.

 

 Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)

Students that choose to continue with English at AS andA Level follow the AQA English

Literature (Specification A) course.  For more information,

see the AS/A Level Course Content page.