‘English’ targets skills related to spoken and written language but as teachers we are concerned with more than just the acquisition of measurable skills. We aim to promote these skills in order to develop self-awareness and a response to the world for which language is the means of discovery. We aim to provide opportunities for all students to develop skills of communication, questioning and evaluation in order to foster personal growth and widen personal experience. This means the fullest possible development in the three key areas of the National Curriculum, Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing, in order to promote high self-esteem, self-awareness, successful co-operation and collaboration with others.

Our aim is to provide an integration of these elements so that one enriches the other.

A direct link between Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing is easily made when the activities in one are used as the basis for work in another. This holistic approach encourages structured, varied and interesting teaching strategies from which students with a variety of learning needs and styles can benefit. Opportunities for individual, pair, group and whole class approaches to writing, speaking and listening, reading and spelling are created through our schemes of work of key stage 3.

Student Groupings

Years 7-8 are taught in mixed ability form groups.

Years 9/10 and 11 are currently taught in three bands of ability, with the lower ability groups being smaller in size and the target of SEN support when available.

Year 7 Scheme of Work

When pupils arrive at Abersychan we strive to create an avid interest in English and reading.

Outline of Year 7:

• Pupils study a novel suited to the ability of the class.
• Pupils complete activities linked to the class novel.
• There is a continuous focus on the development of Reading, Writing and Oracy.
• Pupils visit the library in their English lessons every two weeks. Pupils are taught how to use the library properly by looking for factual books using the 'dewi decimal system'.
• Pupils are also taught 'Discovery' lessons in our Learning Plaza once a week as part of their English Scheme of Work. Here pupils are given opportunities to use computer software, Apple Mac computers, video cameras, Senteo voting remote controls, the recording studio and Video Conferencing.

Year 8 Scheme of Work

In Year 8 pupils are set according to the levels they achieved in Year 7. At the moment Year 8 is streamed into two groups, meaning there are two of every set. For example, two Set 1s.

Pupils study a topic every half term. Alongside this topic pupils will read a class novel and attend the library once every two weeks. Year 8 pupils do not attend the Learning Plaza for any English lessons.

Outline of Year 8:

• September - October: 'My Local Area.' This includes a focus on persuasive language and local attractions.
• October - December: Media. This includes a focus on advertising, television, music, radio and film. Pupils use a range of ICT facilities to aid their study of this topic. Pupils will write a review of a CD or DVD which will then be assessed by the class teacher.
• January - February: Punctuation. Pupils are taught the complexities of punctuation within the English language.
• February - April: drama-focused text, "The Gold of Lies." Pupils read and perform the play. They also learn the mechanics of play writing.
• April-July: poetry-focused text, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Pupils read the epic poem and learn about archaic language.

Year 9 Scheme of Work

When Abersychan Pupils reach Year 9 the aim is to prepare them for their GCSE studies which begin in Year 10.

In English, pupils are set the same way as Year 8 - in a streamed system. This means that there are two of every set.

Pupils follow a different topic every half term. They visit the library once every two weeks and read a class novel.

Outline of Year 9:

• September-October: 'Helathy Eating.' Pupils discover the horrors of junk food and research healthy alternatives. There is then a focus on speech and letter writing.
• October-December: 'Other Cultures.' Pupils study stories from other countries and cultures. This includes the story 'The Stench of Kerosene.' Pupils then write a story based on a newcomer to Abersychan School.
• January-April: Shakespeare. Pupils usually study 'Romeo and Juliet.' Exposing them to the Old English language prepares them for GCSE studies. They will write a newspaper article based on an event in the play.
• April-July: Poetry and GCSE preparation. Pupils learn the more intricate features of poetry. They also begin looking at GCSE exams and skills.