English at The Polygon School

Ethos

Our aim as a department is that all pupils leave The Polygon School with the core skills required to read and write and have exam success which allows them to walk away having achieved at least one English qualification during their education with us.  At both KS3 and KS4 pupils will cover the three strands that make up the English curriculum: Reading, Writing and Oracy. We aim to provide an academic, but ambitious and captivating education that gives every pupil the opportunity to succeed and equip them with skills to be successful in their personal journeys.

Intent

With small classes and a personalised teaching approach, we provide an English curriculum to try and meet the needs of all our pupils, closing gaps in missed education where required and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. We do not shy away from tests and examinations, and we encourage our pupils to start preparing for their GCSEs from year 8 where they are entered for the AQA Step Up to English Entry Level qualification.

Pupils reading and spelling ages are tested throughout the year through our online intervention programme Literacy Gold, and from this data pupils are selected for 1-1 or small group interventions. We have a focus on whole school reading to improve reading confidence across the school, with a push on encouraging the pupils to read for enjoyment. Each week we have a whole school decoding sessions where the pupils are given a word to decode, discuss the etymology and meaning and use it in a sentence, they are then encouraged to use the word in their writing.  

As a school, we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities and projects for pupils in all years including after school English club, creative writing club, spoken word artist’s performances, singing, workshops, trips to develop creativity and theatre trips.

Key Stage 3

At the beginning of year 7 all students have a ten-minute explicit phonic/decoding session. Phonics and word decoding is taught at The Polygon to give all pupils a systematic way of reading and connecting letters to their corresponding sounds. This will help develop strong reading, writing and spelling skills that can be used independently throughout the school.

Pupils study a range of texts, both fiction and non-fiction in line with national curriculum requirements. They will learn to develop their own ideas and opinions about texts and how to comment on the language choices made by authors. As well as texts from different cultures, they will also study texts from the English Literary Heritage, including work by Shakespeare and contemporary fiction.

Throughout, pupils will begin to develop confidence in putting pen to paper, develop a wide range of vocabulary, elevate their ability to organise and structure sentences grammatically and whole texts coherently, also to improve essential presentation skills that include accurate punctuation and correct spelling. Through individual reading and writing, pupils will appreciate the importance of audience and purpose and how to adapt and vary their writing in different scenario.

Key Stage 4

English is a core subject, and pupils will follow the Edexcel iGCSE English Language syllabus. The iGCSE is assessed through two exams:

1. Paper 1 - Non-Fiction Texts and Transactional Writing.
2. Paper 2 – Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing.

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable pupils to:

• Read a wide range of texts fluently and with good understanding.
• Read critically and use the knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing.
• Write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately.
• Use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately.
• Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary alongside knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.

Qualifications:

• AQA Entry Level Step Up to English 1&2

From year 8 the boys will be entered into the AQA Entry Level English with the opportunity to achieve either a level 1 or level 2.

• iGCSE English Language

From year 10 through to year 11 the boys will be entered into the iGCSE English language.

Implementation

From year 8 at the start of each topic, the pupils will complete an initial assessment to identify current strengths and weaknesses in that area. This is followed by a series of scaffolded lessons which are sequenced to build and develop the required skills before completing a final assessment at the end of the half term.

During the build-up to examinations, the boys will complete several papers to familiarise themselves with the layout and style of questions, allowing them to learn and understand key vocabulary and to ensure that they understand what is being asked of them. 

To help raise the reading age across the school pupils have an account with Literacy Gold and are expected to engage with this intervention at least 4 times a week both in English lessons and with their tutor. An additional incentive, we also have a weekly reading cup with is awarded to the tutor group that have read the most minutes that week.  

A range of motivating lessons are planned with short and engaging tasks which will take place both in and outside of the classroom. Boys receive 1:1 support where necessary and lessons are differentiated for all boys’ needs. Technology is used to support pupils in longer extended writing tasks as providing visual aids and inspiration.  

All pupils are stretched to achieve their full potential, and an after-school club is offered weekly. A range of experiences is also offered to engage learning and broaden the pupil’s knowledge and understanding of the world.

Impact

As a department, we are working hard to prepare the boys for their iGCSE exams for them to try and achieve a grade 4 or above. Starting the process in year 8 allows the boys to become familiar with taking exams and to try and reduce the pressure ‘on the day'. We also enter those who are ready to take their exam early to give them several opportunities to be successful. Over the last few years, we have seen a rise in the number of pupils achieving higher grades, especially within the iGCSE.