Faculty Team Leader, English & Media:
Mrs. R. Turner

Email: click for address

Introduction

In English at Chailey, students are encouraged to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively.  In 2009, students commented on their English lessons:

‘I enjoy English because I like being free to think for myself.’; ‘It has been fun and challenging.’; ‘One thing that I found helpful was the inventiveness of the lessons because you have to think about what you do.’

The department has provided students with the following opportunities:

Make Your Mark

Year 10 students are prepared in English lessons for an enterprise day where students come up with an idea.  Students present their pitch to outside visitors and in 2009 English teachers will assess these pitches as part of their GCSE and Functional Skills Speaking and Listening assessments.

Children’s author

Chris Bradshaw visited Chailey School on Monday 13th July.  He put on a Samurai sword display, to the whole of Year 7 and 8, and talked about his latest novel ‘Young Samurai’. During the presentation, he gave an overview of Japanese history and culture including the teaching of a few simple Japanese words and phrases.  Following this, the ‘Gifted and Talented’ students in Year 7 and 8 participated in a writing workshop.

Poetry workshop at Ribbetts House

Six Year 10 ‘Gifted and Talented’ students ran a Poetry Workshop at Ribbetts House, Hurstpierpoint, at the end of June.  The residents of this sheltered accommodation shared in the pleasure of poems chosen by the students, and then had a go at writing some poetry themselves.  It was a memorable experience for all; a budding ‘poetry writing group’ may even emerge at the House as a consequence!

Theatre Trip

In May, 45 Year 10 students enjoyed a theatrical experience at the Theatre Royal in Brighton.  To supplement their study of Arthur Miller’s ‘View from The Bridge’, they were able to see the play ‘live’.  Some budding directors had very firm views about how they might have honoured the script differently.  It was a very good experience which provoked a good deal of post- performance discussion?

BBC News

The news reports produced by Year 7 for BBC School News report were better than ever this year – available for viewing on the Chailey School web-site.  Mark Norman, a presenter for BBC South Today, mentored the Year 7 English ‘Gifted and Talented’ students in the run up to this event.

Southern Schools’ Book Award

Every year, Y9’s keen readers take part in a book club that discusses five novels. The group chooses their favourite and attends the award ceremony at Roedene College.

Freelance journalist

Graeme Kerr is a freelance journalist who is using Chailey as a pilot school for creating a magazine project to take round to other schools.    The Y10 Media Studies group is producing magazine fashion spreads, of collections of holiday wear, for teenagers.  This will involve a fashion shoot with models. Next term, they will create front covers and some additional pages for the final production.

‘The Times’ Spelling Bee

Year 7 students all took part in a spelling competition during an English lesson. The winners from each tutor group then competed in a 'spell off' against each other until three students remained. The winning students competed in the regional finals, held at Brighton's Odeon Cinema, where they participated in two spelling rounds, competing against four other schools from the local area.

Key Stage 3

Students learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction and media texts.  The study of English helps students understand how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins.  Using this knowledge, students can choose and adapt what they say and write in different situations.

Key Stage 4

English Language and English Literature are separate GCSEs: it is possible to get different grades for each.

English Language: This is assessed by exams (60%) and coursework (40%)

Exams:

Paper 1 (30%) tests reading response to non fiction texts, (unseen before the exam) and writing tasks to argue, persuade or advise.

Paper 2 (30%) tests reading response to poetry from different cultures and traditions in the AQA Anthology, (studied in class) and writing tasks to inform, explain or describe.

Coursework (20%)

Four pieces: one on a Shakespeare play; one on a prose text; one on a film, or media texts; one original imaginative piece.

Speaking and Listening (20%)

Assessed in class.

English Literature: This is assessed by exam (70%) and coursework (30%)

Exam

There is one paper.  Students answer one question on a novel studied in class (either “Of Mice and Men” or “To kill a Mocking bird” or “Lord of the Flies” or a collection of short stories form the AQA Anthology), and one question on poetry from the AQA Anthology (pre- 1914 poems, plus poetry by Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage or Seamus Heaney and Gillian Clarke).

Coursework

Three pieces: one on a Shakespeare play (same piece as for English Language) which can be an essay or spoken presentation; one on a prose text (same piece as for English Language); one on post 1914 drama.

WAYS TO SUCCEED

• Complete all coursework units (minimum length 500 words).
• Make really detailed notes on the poems and on ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ for revision.
• Read lots of varied texts to become familiar with different writing styles – magazines, newspapers, books….. even junk mail has a role (it’s often persuasive text written with a definite purpose to influence a reader.  What techniques have been used?)
• Identify key words in a question.  Use them in an answer.
• Apply PEE technique (Point/Example/Explain).
• Plan paragraphing of a piece of writing (any writing – not just English work). Write it carefully. Check it over.
• Keep a spelling page in your planner and learn the ones that cause trouble.
• Read own work aloud to a sympathetic listener.
• Think long term.  Language skills are for life, not just GCSE.
• Enjoy words.  Appreciate their power. Use them!