KS3 English
KS3 (years 7, 8 and 9) are very important: these are the first years at Secondary School, where new pressures become evident and where studying English changes in order to prepare pupils for G.C.S.E. At St. Francis of Assisi, we believe that it is important for pupils to enjoy their English studies, while of course building the necessary skills to help them to succeed.
Below, you will find details of the curriculum at St. Francis during this key stage and information to help parents with their children's progress; this is broken down into the 3 years of KS3 but you will also find information on the progress pupils should be making over these 3 important years.
Parents for Learning: Helping Your Child with English
Homework: currently, the English Department Homework Policy is that pupils should complete 2 pieces of Homework a week; this runs in a 2 week cycle and should be as follows:
| Homework 1- private reading of fiction for 30 minutes, parents to initial in planner that this is done. | Homework 2 - research or learning | Homework 3 - a short, focused piece of writing marked in class using A.F.L. | Homework 4 - a longer piece of writing that is marked in the margins, receives a diagnostic comment and information on how 'to improve'. Periodically this will be given a National Curriculum Level of a number and either a, b or c (a indicates working at the top of the level, b in the middle and c towards the lower end of the level; e.g. 5a indicates a child working at the top of Level 5). |
The English Department Marking Policy can be seen here; if you are a parent, please explore your child's work with them, considering ways to improve. The page Helping Your Child with English may be of use here. If there are other ways you would like to help your child, please contact me - vcox@stfrancis.ccto ask for help or with suggestions for the web pages.