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English in Year 8

This is the second year of working towards Key Stage 3 and subsequently GCSE. The Coursework Folder is a crucial classroom element in the year; the contents are assessed by the teacher and then sent to the Upper School for their perusal or sent on to another school where required. These folders will contain a selection of the children's written work - a few pieces may be prepared using the IT facilities - with the purpose of illustrating each pupil's progress in a range of written work. Priorities include: a) the need to meet and appreciate a range of poems in readiness for the 'My Favourite Poem' speech and essay in the Spring term ; b) continued concentration on response to private reading, including book reviews; c) expansion of writing skills to include analysis, retrieval of research, letter writing, persuasive, creative, personal experience, diary writing and literary criticism. Always included is some work on selected Shakespeare plays (currently Macbeth), character study, consideration of a novel such as Christmas Carol or Animal Farm and work that will increase awareness of the many and different kinds of text – including non-fiction media - according to purpose and intended audience.

Progress in Reading and Writing skills is assessed by regular grades, ongoing level monitoring and by school examinations in January and external exams in May or June: Common Entrance, Clifton College Transfer Entrance Exams or, in some cases, the Common Academic Scholarship Exam or similar to individual schools.

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