Richmond School
School Departments | English & English Literature
KS3
Across the key stage, English is taught by a team of enthusiastic and well-qualified specialist English teachers. Students learn to develop their skills in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening through Areas of Study such as Autobiography, The Extraordinary and Shakespeare and pre-twentieth Century Literature. Students are encouraged to read widely and to share their ideas in lively classroom debate. ICT is an important element of the students’ work across the key stage, with the work ranging from word-processing to complex Power Point presentations incorporating material from the Internet. Students are prepared for the Year 9 SAT through a rich, stimulating and enjoyable curriculum.
KS4
The study of English Language and Literature helps people develop their communication skills. The ability to communicate fluently, confidently and accurately is essential to all walks of life. English Literature can provide for a lifetime’s interest and enjoyment. The current main areas of study include:
• Speaking and Listening
Discussion and presentation work, individually and in groups, in a wide range of contexts for a variety of audiences
• Reading
A wide range of literature, including poetry, prose and drama and a play by Shakespeare
A range of non-fiction materials
Media texts
• Writing
The process of writing: drafting, re-ordering, revising
Writing in a wide range of styles and forms for different purposes and audiences, including original writing and response to reading.
Grades are awarded for English on the basis of a coursework folder (20%), continually assessed spoken English (20%) and two written examination papers (60%), and for English Literature on the basis of a coursework folder (30%) and one examination paper (70%). Some elements of the coursework are common to both subjects. Students are expected to meet coursework deadlines and should be aware that independent work done at home is an essential part of the course.
Students are taught in broad ability sets and decisions about which tier/level of examination they are entered to are taken after trial examinations in Year 11.
Higher Tier/Tier H (Grades A*-D)
Foundation Tier/Tier F (Grades C-G)
In exceptional circumstances some students may be entered for English.
Students intending to go on to “A” levels and/or other Further Education will need a qualification in English.
KS5
Two courses are available for A level, English Language and English Literature. See individual subjects below for details. Students who wish to study English at university should choose English Literature. Students who want to focus on Linguistics should choose English Language. Many students should take both subjects which are very different at this level and which compliment each other well. All universities accept that theses are two different qualifications.
English Language
The course encourages students to develop their interest in, and enjoyment of, English, through learning about its structures and its functions, its development and its variations. It also allows students to develop their ability to express themselves both in speech and writing with increasing competence and sophistication, to encounter a varied range of reading and to develop their skills of critical and attentive listening.
AS Year
AS Unit 1 – Introduction to the Study of Language: 1½ hour exam
AS Unit 2 – Language and Social contexts: 1½ hour exam
AS Unit 3 – Original writing: Coursework – max 4500 words
A2 Year
A2 Unit 4 – Investigating Language: Coursework 2000 – 4000 words
A2 Unit 5 – Editorial Writing: 2½ hour exam
A2 Unit 6 – Language Development: 2 hour exam
For some modules, students are expected to conduct large-scale independent research, following one-to-one negotiation with the teacher. They will be given the opportunity to attend writing workshops. There will be two teachers per group. Students might progress to careers in journalism, advertising, law, marketing, the media, teaching, personnel and public relations. It is a challenging and stimulating course for those genuinely interested in language.
English Literature
You should study English Literature first and foremost for enjoyment! In addition, the detailed exploration of a number of challenging texts will give you broad and fascinating general knowledge, promote your analytical and communication skills and develop your ability to make independent, reasoned judgement. All these are transferable, desirable, marketable skills.
AS Year
• The Modern Novel – introduction to A level literary studies (exam)• Texts in context – poetry and drama texts, one to be pre-C20th (open book exam)
• Shakespeare – study of one play (open book exam)
A2 Year
• Texts in Time – Romantic poetry and a pre-1770 drama text (exam) (Period may change)• Literary Connections – comparison of two texts, one must be prose (coursework)
• Reading for Meaning – thematic study – War in Literature (exam) (Theme may change)
Lessons are discussion based. The department generally runs visits to theatres, particularly to RSC Newcastle season, poetry readings and other relevant literary events. Throughout the course, at both AS and A2, it is assumed that a wide reading is an integral part of the course. Students may progress to careers in law, advertising, media, journalism, publishing, public relations, personnel, civil service, teaching, management and theatre.
Contact Information
All to be contacted by phone (01748) 850111:
Miss D Clague
Mr S Richardson
Mrs T Westgarth
Miss S Eardley
Ms D Case
Mr D Burton
Mrs H Bennett
Ms H David
Mr P Heselton
Miss J Montgomery
Mrs L Ryan