English
Through the English curriculum at Saracens High School, pupils are provided with the opportunity to study a variety of texts, genres as well as authors.
From the Medieval Canterbury Tales, through to the modern day Gothic Fiction text, Twilight, our English curriculum will enable pupils to develop an appreciation of, not just many authors’ works, but also the historical context in which these authors were writing. At Saracens, we indeed study, analyse and examine texts which bring moral and social issues to light, such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Of Mice and Men, allowing for many mature, rich and thought-provoking classroom discussions. Grammar and punctuation is taught explicitly in Writing lessons and pupils will also learn crucial skills in these lessons, such as letter writing and crafting short pieces of fiction. In all of our English lessons, there are ample opportunities for pupils to practice their Speaking and Listening skills too, enabling Saracens’ pupils to not only became proficient writers and readers but also highly articulate young individuals.
Key Stage 3
Pupils in Year 7 and in Year 8 have five fifty minute lessons of English a week. The Key Stage 3 schemes of learning below outline the topics studied each year:
Year 7
Autumn 1: Analysing Biographies, Autobiographical Writing
Autumn 2: Analysing Adverts, Writing Adverts
Spring 1: Analysing Poems, Writing Soliloquies
Spring 2: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Summer 1+2 (until exams): Descriptive Writing
Rest of Summer 2: Writing Speeches
Year 8
Autumn 1: Persuasive Writing
Autumn 2: Analysing Gothic Texts, Writing a Gothic Tale
Spring 1: Film Review Writing, Noughts and Crosses Play
Spring 2: Noughts and Crosses Play
Summer 1+2 (until exams): Narrative Writing
Rest of Summer 2: Chaucer: The General Prologue
Enrichment Opportunities
- Creative Writing Club
- Book Club
- Paired Reading opportunities with younger pupils
- Theatre trips
- Lots of competitions run by the Library
- Workshop days with established authors
- World Book Day activities (including the opportunity to acquire a free book)
- Use of Saracens’ brand new school library, which hosts a varied selection of books
Learning Resouces
- https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv
- https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zykdmp3
- https://www.ef.com/english-resources/english-grammar/
- https://www.thesaurus.com/
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/punctuation/resources/e3
- https://www.sparknotes.com/
- https://app.senecalearning.com/courses?Price=Free