English | Werneth School

The English Department at Werneth is experienced, enthusiastic and innovative. English is delivered at Werneth School by thirteen teachers including four Senior Leaders, three of whom have previously been Heads of English. In conjunction with English runs a well established Media Studies department. In addition to the teaching staff, two full-time Teaching Assistants support lessons in both Key Stages and deliver a successful programme of intervention to small groups of students in addition to their English lessons.

Key Stage 3
Students study English for seven lessons a fortnight, each an hour long. During this time, monthly units of work are completed. These units have lesson plans and resources produced and digitally shared to be available to all staff and then differentiated according to individual classes and students. The delivery of content, by staff, is based around the school’s Teaching and Learning emphasis of Cooperative Learning using Kagan Structures.
In response to the abolition of the SATs examinations, the course for year 9 is flexible with some starting the GCSE course and all working on skills required for the Functional Skills examination. The primary focus for Key Stage 3 students is to demonstrate their abilities in reading, writing and now, speaking and listening, according to the APP criteria and building a portfolio of their achievements for each Assessment Focus. Detailed records are kept requiring the students to track their own progression, their strengths and targets through peer, self and formal assessment in order to build a bank of leveled evidence demonstrating individualised learning and progress made.

Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 students are time tabled, like Key Stage 3, for seven lessons a fortnight. Currently, all students study AQA for both the language and literature courses. Students requiring Functional Skills study the Edexcel course.
With the introduction of the new GCSE specification, pathways will be carefully considered allowing for students to have every opportunity to gain the grades they require to continue to post 16 further education and for students to have a full range of texts and experiences according to their ability.
The new specification allows for modular assessment, meaning that staff will be working closely with data and its analysis to improve personalised learning and communication with parents and staff.
A wealth of support is offered to students throughout both Key Stages including the One-to-One Tuition scheme, revision classes, parental forums, panel interviews, individual support programmes and mentoring. We aim to raise the profile of the subject and promote a school and community-wide drive for success.

Enrichment
The English team fully subscribe to the ‘Werneth 3Cs’ (Creativity, Collaboration and Community) scheme.
As part of two different cluster groups of schools, new opportunities are arranged for different groups of learners. This includes study sessions with students and staff from other schools. In addition, trips to universities have taken place, giving students a feel for university life and new ways of learning.
Trips take place to local theatres to support the understanding and appreciation of texts and to also expand students’ cultural appreciation of plays in context. In addition to this, traveling theatre groups are welcomed into our own Image Theatre to perform and run workshops. Students, staff and parents alike benefit from this. Parents have found these performances particularly helpful as they are then able to support their child’s learning at home.
Each week, the Creative Writing Club runs, working on a variety of topics. Recently, they have been making connections with our Partner School in Sri Lanka where their work is now displayed.
Extra curricular activities are encouraged and supported in enhancing learning by the English Department.

English Department

View English Department Documents available on Kaleidos here

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