Year 10
Year 10 pupils have 5 periods of English each week. Pupils undertake a range of tasks and activities which have been designed to address the learning intentions outlined in the English Learning Area of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Units of work have been created to enable pupils to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills and to extend and develop the ability to use language effectively, communicate ideas powerfully and understand the ideas of others.
The understanding of language conventions and rules are integrated within the units. Pupils are given the opportunity to be creative and critical thinkers and embedded in this process is the need to work with others, manage information, self-manage and problem solve.
Assessment is embedded in the preparation work and completion of the tasks specified in the Year Plan. Pupils will have a booklet containing information for each task. Success criteria indicate how the marks are awarded. The final task is completed in school, marked and then moderated by English teachers. The outcome of the final task is used to award a Communication Level in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening.
KS3 Communication
In English this year you will be working towards your KS3 Communication. You will be assessed in three areas:
- Reading (2 tasks)
- Writing (2 tasks)
- Speaking and Listening (3 tasks – individual presentation, group discussion, role play)
These tasks will be prepared in school and at home but the final task will be written during class time. At the end of the year you will be given a ‘Level’ for your attainment in Communication.
Below is an outline of tasks:
- Writing task 1 – Personal Writing
- Reading task 1 – Literary Response to Unseen Prose
- Writing task 2 – Creative Writing
- Reading task 2 – War Poetry
Speaking and Listening assessments take place throughout the year.
TERM 1 |
TERM 2 |
TERM 3 |
September – October · Writing task 1 November – December · Reading task 1 · Speaking and Listening task 1 (group discussion) December · Teaching of Creative Writing & non-fiction analysis in preparation for January assessment. · Speaking and Listening task 2 (role play) |
Jan · Writing task 2 Creative Writing & February - March · Reading task 2 Teaching and assessment of April · Speaking and Listening task 3 (individual speech) |
April / May · Teaching for internal examinations. June · Shakespeare · Drama |
N.B. Pupils will read 2 class novels – ‘Stone Cold’, Robert Swindells and ‘Noughts and Crosses’, Malorie Blackman. They are also encouraged to read a range of fiction books and non-fiction material at home throughout the year.
Supporting Learning at Home.
The school‘s Virtual Learning Environment, Fronter, contains useful material to help support pupil learning and exam preparation.
GCSE requires pupils to have a very good vocabulary and be able to read, write and communicate purposefully and with insight exhibiting sophistication in expression, punctuation and language. In order to support and develop this aim, pupils are expected to read widely at home.
Pupils are invited to enter a wide range of school based, local and national creative writing competitions and to develop their confidence and skills through participation in subject centred extra-curricular activities. Workshops, book fairs and cinema and theatre visits are all available to pupils.
In addition, English teachers lead and develop:
Junior and Senior Book Club
Junior and Senior Debating
(Every two years pupils will have the opportunity to perform in a school drama production.)