English, Media and Photography
Effective communication is fundamental to a person’s well-being, their place in the world, and the future that they can build. As a combined faculty, speaking about and articulating ideas, visually and in written form, is at the heart of all three of our disciplines.
We promote a love of reading, not only of diverse literary texts, but also the analysis and evaluation of visual and media texts. We believe that when students enjoy and are stimulated by the texts they study then they can rise to and thrive among the different challenges of life beyond the classroom.
INTENDED END POINTS
English Literature and Language are taught from years 7-11; Media is introduced in year 8 and is offered as a separate GCSE; Photography is an optional specialism for GCSE only.
Key Stage 3 English
Our curriculum is built around a core concept that underpins English, Media and Photography: texts are deliberately constructed – by others when you read and by yourself when you speak and write. Understanding of texts is supported by specific methods and influenced by specific contexts.
By the end of Key Stage 3: Reading
- Understand that characters are constructed for a purpose – characters are not real; they are devices that serve the writer’s purpose.
- Connect concepts, such as power, gender, prejudice and hierarchy, across a range of texts.
- Analyse texts with reference to the effects of writers’ methods and the inclusion of specific linguistic and structural choices.
- Visual and written texts represent individuals and groups of individuals in the real world in ways that serve authorial (English) and institutional (Media) purposes.
By the end of Key Stage 3: Writing
- Write fluently across a range of genres – descriptive and discursive.
- Organise texts effectively, using paragraphs and sentence choices for effect.
- Construct essays that present ideas accurately and cogently, with precise selection of textual evidence.
- Write with a high degree of technical accuracy.
- Make vocabulary choices that are considered, effective and appropriate to text, task and tone.
By the end of Key Stage 3: Spoken Language
- To discuss confidently in small groups with consistent focus on the task and topic.
- To answer confidently and fluently, using considered and appropriate vocabulary choices.
- To prepare and present a longer spoken task to a small group with confidence and fluency.
English Language GCSE
Course: AQA
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700/scheme-of-assessment
Intended End points:
- read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding
- read critically, and use 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 a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
- listen to and understand spoken language, and use spoken Standard English effectively.
Assessment Objectives:
AO1: identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas; select and synthesise evidence from different texts
AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views
AO3: Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts
AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references
AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts
AO6: Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. (This requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole.)
AO7: Demonstrate presentation skills in a formal setting
AO8: Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including to questions and feedback on presentations
AO9: Use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches and presentations.
English Literature GCSE
Course: AQA
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702/scheme-of-assessment
Intend Endpoints:
- read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading
- read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas
- develop the habit of reading widely and often
- appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage
- write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English
- acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read.
Assessment objectives:
AO1: Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to:
maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.
AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.
AO3: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.
AO4: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
Media Studies GCSE
Course: EDUQAS
https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/media-studies-gcse/#tab_overview
Intended End points:
Media Studies GCSE offers the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of key issues and the ability to debate important questions about the media. Although the specification focuses predominantly on the contemporary media, this is contextualised and enhanced through the exploration of significant products from different historical periods. Through studying both established and evolving media forms, students gain awareness of the role of the media in society and culture. The practical element of the course enables students to apply their understanding of theoretical perspectives to originating their own media artefact.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• the theoretical framework of media
• contexts of media and their influence on media products and processes.
Analyse media products using the theoretical framework of media, including in relation to their contexts, to make judgements and draw conclusions.
Create media products for an intended audience, by applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media to communicate meaning.
Photography GCSE
Course: EDUQAS
https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/art-and-design-gcse/?sub_nav_level=course-materials#tab_resources
Intended End points:
Photography GCSE is designed to be engaging, challenging, coherent and
meaningful. The structure of the course is sequenced to support confident development of creative knowledge, skills and understanding. The programme of study broadens experience, develops imagination and technical skills, fosters creativity and promotes personal and social
development.
- Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
- Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
- Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
- Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.
