Years 7 and 8

In English we aim to provide a curriculum which prepares students for GCSE English, but also encourages an enriching enjoyment of the English language itself in all its forms.

Both year groups undertake schemes of work focusing on spelling, punctuation and grammar, a key focus in assessment at GCSE English, using a range of active resources and media. Students develop their skills in planning and structuring their writing for a variety of audiences and purposes. The process is also enlivened by spoken language tasks in the style of 'Dragons' Den' and 'The Apprentice'.  

We aim to provide students with the opportunity to explore a range of texts. Year 7 opens with a transitional scheme of work based around 'Boy' by Roald Dahl. Students explore and create poetry through an animal poetry scheme of work, reading classic texts such as 'Jabberwocky' and 'The Tyger'. They also look at modern works within the canon too, such Morpurgo's 'Private Peaceful' or 'Kensuke's Kingdom'.

In Y8, students start the year focusing on reading, the core skill, through the study of a novel. Later in the year they also look at 19th Century mystery stories. For poetry, the focus is on narrative poetry where students look at works such as 'The Highwayman', as well as some funny modern versions of 'The Canterbury Tales'.

A key aspect of our English provision in Y7 and Y8 is the Accelerated Reading programme. All students have a dedicated reading lesson once in every two week cycle in our reading centre. We do ask that parents support us in the promotion of this by making sure their child reads for at least an hour across each week. To support this, we run Buster's Book Club in conjunction with the Kent Messenger. This is a home reading programme which encourages students to log their reading minutes (confirmed by home); this data is then recorded and each week trophies for the top reading group are awarded by our Academy Principle and Vice Principle.

Year 7 Fun Run World Book Day

World Book Day March 2018

Work for Year 7 and 8 In Case of Inclement Weather

Christmas in Wales