English - Isleworth & Syon School

Reading is actively encouraged at Isleworth & Syon as a means of enrichment.
The school’s library is stocked with a variety of resources to aid independent reading.
We have a very strong debating team that has recently placed in the top 30 in London!
Each year, junior students go to local primary schools to lead storytelling sessions to spread their enthusiasm for reading.

The English department at Isleworth and Syon is committed to supporting students to become confident and critical learners who develop an appreciation for the richness of the English language. We believe that English is at the heart of the curriculum and that supporting students’ literacy through their learning in English will have a hugely positive impact on their success across all subjects and in the world of work. Our bespoke curriculum encourage our students to be inquisitive, engaged and independent learners who are able to use the English Language accurately and effectively in a variety of different contexts. We aim to foster a love of literature, encouraging our students to develop an appreciation of the joys of independent reading and an understanding of the world around them.

View the staff team

Curriculum Leader
Miss S Hannon
Deputy Curriculum Leader
Miss K Axten
Assistant Curriculum Leader
Miss A Westcott
Teaching Staff
Miss G Breach	Mrs L Clayton
Mr P Jackson	Mr D Kenyon
Mr B Milligan	Miss A Penhaligon
Ms C Scarrott	Mrs N Sokhi
Miss O Thomson

Summary

The Key Stage 3 English curriculum builds on the literacy skills that students have acquired in primary school, and extends their understanding and use of English across a range of texts. Students will study exciting texts, both fiction and non-fiction, which have been carefully chosen. These range from the ‘The Bone Sparrow’ (a novel about the Rohingya refugee crisis) in Year 7 to detective novel ‘Trash’ in Year 8, and later, Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ in Year 9. Whilst engagement and developing understanding are at the heart of what we do, we have developed a spiral curriculum in which the core skills assessed throughout KS3 are linked to GCSE assessment criteria. This ensures that students are well prepared for the demands of GCSE study.

Curriculum Content

Year 7

Curriculum

Culture and Identity
This unit of work centres on the study of ‘The Bone Sparrow’ by Zanna Fraillon. A range of poetry from a variety of cultures is also studied. Writing to express a viewpoint is taught explicitly in this part of the curriculum.

Creation and Origin
This unit of work aims to build students’ cultural capital through the study of a number of myths and legends from a range of times and cultures, from ancient Greece to Japanese creation stories. Students will also study a playscript version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein alongside excerpts from the original novel during this unit of work.

Voices
Students explore a variety of narrative perspectives, initially by studying legendary voices such as Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and extracts from Anne Frank’s diary. Students learn about different types of texts and will prepare a presentation to deliver to the class on someone that inspires them. The second element to this unit of work explores voices through a variety of short stories.

Assessment

Culture and Identity
Students will complete an assessment based on their study of ‘The Bone Sparrow’ and the issues that it explores. They will also be assessed later in the term on the analysis of a poem.

Creation and Origin
There will be a knowledge-based assessment in half term 1, followed by a critical analysis of an extract from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein later in the Spring.

Voices
Speaking and listening is assessed through students’ preparation and delivery of a presentation on a ‘legendary voice’ of their choice. The end-of-year examination will test both reading and writing and is linked to the Voices unit of work. Students will be expected to revise the content of their booklets in preparation for this assessment.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

A schedule of Preparation and Progress Activities is given to students at the beginning of each unit of work. They can also be viewed on the school website and monitored by parents via the Parent Portal. Students are expected to complete one piece of PPA per week in addition to 20 minutes of independent reading every evening. They are expected to keep a weekly reading log on Teams and will also complete quizzes regularly on the Accelerated Reader programme so that we are able to track and monitor their progress.

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for English. You can log in with the following details:

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 7 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: KS3 English – this website provides helpful activities that support students’ development of English Language
BBC Bitesize: KS3 English Literature – This website provides helpful information and activities that support students’ development of English Literature

Year 8

Curriculum

History of English
Students will be introduced to a number of writers who have had significant influence historically and are recognised as being part of the English Literary Heritage. This includes the study of the Old English poem ‘Beowulf’, extracts from Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘The Canterbury Tales’, and excerpts from Shakespeare and Dickens. Students also learn how the English language has evolved to become what it is today, as well as how and why it is constantly changing.

Justice
This unit of work incorporates the exploration of a range of non-fiction texts around the theme of justice, as well as the study of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’.

The Detective Genre
Students are taught to recognise the conventions of the detective genre by studying extracts from a range of texts, some of which were first published in the 19th century. Students read extracts from Sherlock Holmes and short stories by Roald Dahl. Students also study the 21st century novel ‘Trash’ by Andy Mulligan. Writing to describe and narrate is also taught explicitly within this unit.

Assessment

History of English
The first assessment of Year 8 will involve a written analysis of an extract from Rosemary Sutcliffe’s translation of Beowulf. Students will also be assessed through a presentation given to the class about a Shakespeare play or Dickens novel that they have encountered through their introductory study of these writers.

Justice
Students will be assessed on their knowlegde and understanding of the texts covered over the course of this unit of work.

The Detective Genre
The end of Year 8 examination is based upon an extract from a work of detective fiction. The writing assessment is a creative writing task linked to the detective genre.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

A schedule of Preparation and Progress Activities is given to students at the beginning of each unit of work. They can also be viewed on the school website and monitored by parents via the Parent Portal. Students are expected to complete one piece of PPA per week in addition to 20 minutes of independent reading every evening. They are expected to keep an online reading log on Teams and will also complete quizzes regularly on the Accelerated Reader programme so that we are able to track and monitor their progress.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: KS3 English – this website provides helpful activities that support students’ development of English Language
BBC Bitesize: KS3 English Literature – This website provides helpful information and activities that support students’ development of English Literature

Year 9

Curriculum

Fantasy Worlds
This unit of work centres on the study of the novel ‘Northern Lights’ by Philip Pullman. The study of non-fiction texts related to the themes in ‘Northern Lights’ alongside students’ reading of the novel will help them to develop their ability to write to express a viewpoint. At the end of the term, students will be introduced to GCSE film studies to give them an insight to studying the course at GCSE.

Tragedy
Students study the history and evolution of tragedy as a genre, from its roots in Greek theatre to more contemporary explorations of tragedy through poetry and prose. Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ is the core text for this unit of work.

Relationships
The main text in this unit is John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’. A variety of poetry, written by contemporary writers and those recognised as part of the English literary heritage, is also studied within this unit. There will also be a formal speaking and listening assessment during this term.

Assessment

Fantasy Worlds
Students will be assessed on their study of ‘Northern Lights’ through questions which are modelled on the new GCSE specification.

Tragedy
Students will respond to a GCSE exam-style question on Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ for the spring term assessment.

Relationships
The end of Year 9 examination will test both students’ understanding of conflict poetry and their creative writing skills. At the end of the year, students will give a presentation about a theme in Steinbeck’s novel ‘Of Mice and Men’.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

Preparation and Progress schedules will be emailed to students at the beginning of each unit of work. They can also be viewed on the school website and monitored by parents via the Parent Portal. Students are expected to complete one preparation and progress task per week. Students are also required to complete 30 minutes of independent reading every evening and and complete the reading log on Teams.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 9 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: KS3 English – this website provides helpful activities that support students’ development of English Language
BBC Bitesize: KS3 English Literature – This website provides helpful information and activities that support students’ development of English Literature

Summary

GCSE English Language

Specification Code: 8700
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: AQA

Curriculum

Students will study the following topics:

Reading fiction texts
Narrative and descriptive writing
Reading and comparing non-fiction texts
Writing to present a viewpoint

Assessment

Unit 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Written examination (English Language Paper 1) – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade (taken at the end of Year 10 or 11)

Unit 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
Written examination (English Language Paper 2) – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade (taken at the end of Year 10 or 11)

Unit 3 – Spoken Language
Internally-assessed by class teacher – 0% weighting of GCSE. Separate endorsement.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their curriculum.

AQA – this website provides the specification and past papers.
BBC Bitesize: GCSE English Language – this website provides useful activities and information which will help students build the necessary skills for this subject.
Educake – The school has subscribed to this online learning platform to support your son/ward’s revision of essential examination knowledge and skills.

GCSE English Literature

Specification Code: 8702
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: AQA

Curriculum

In Year 10, students will study the following topics:

‘The Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding
‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare
Poetry Anthology
‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens

Assessment

Unit 1 – Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 40% of GCSE grade (taken at the end of Year 11)

Unit 2 – Modern Texts and Poetry
Written examination – 2 hours 15 minutes – 60% of GCSE grade (taken at the end of Year 11)

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.

AQA – this website provides the specification and past papers.
BBC Bitesize: GCSE English Literature – this website provides useful activities and information which will help students build the necessary skills for this subject.
Educake – The school has subscribed to this online learning platform to support your son/ward’s revision of essential examination knowledge and skills.

GCSE Film Studies

Specification Code: C670QS
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: Eduqas

GCSE film studies gives students the chance to develop a critical understanding of the role of the film in social, political, historical and cultural contexts. It encourages an understanding of how to use key film forms to analyse film texts and the opportunity for hands-on practical work.

Year 10

Curriculum

Students will study the following topics:

The film form and key concepts taught through the following films:
- ‘Whiplash’
- ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
- ‘ET’ and ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ – comparative study
- ‘Let the Right One In’
- ‘My Brother the Devil’
- ‘Submarine’
Film and screenplay production skills using analysis of the above films to inform production choices.

Assessment

All assessments are taken at the end of Year 11.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: GCSE Film Studies – helps you to revise the key concepts and key terminology in film studies.
Film Education – a range of resources on GCSE film texts for 2017/18.

Year 11

Curriculum

Students will study the following topics:

Topic 1 – Aesthetics in UK Contemporary Film
Topic 2 – Post-Modernism and Intertextuality in US Independent Film
Topic 3 – Final Production and Editing Project
Topic 4 – Representation of People and Places – Global non-English Language Film

Assessment

Unit 1 – Key Developments in US film
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 35% of GCSE grade (taken at the end of Year 11)

Consists of three sections: ‘US Film Comparative Study’, ‘Key Developments in Film and Film Technology’, and ‘US Independent Film’.

Unit 2 – Global Film, Narrative, Representation and Film Style
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 35% of GCSE grade (taken at the end of Year 11)

Consists of three sections: ‘Global English Language Film’, ‘Global Non-English Language Film’, and ‘Contemporary UK Film’.

Unit 3 – Production
Non-examination assessment (NEA) – 30% (ongoing project submitted at the end of Year 11)

Production of one genre based film extract (either from a film or from a screenplay)
One evaluative analysis of the production

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: GCSE Film Studies – helps you to revise the key concepts and key terminology in film studies.
Film Education – a range of resources on GCSE film texts for 2017/18.

Summary

A level English Literature

Specification Code: A720QS
Level: AS level / A level
Examination Board: EDUQAS

Year 12

Curriculum

Unit 1 – Poetry Section B
- Seamus Heaney: ‘Field Work’
- Owen Sheers: ‘Skirrid Hill’
Unit 2 – Drama Section B
- John Webster: ‘The Duchess of Malfi’
- Tennessee Williams: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

Assessment

Component 1 – Poetry
Written examination: 1 hour (60 marks) 15% of A level
Section B: Poetry post-1900 (open-book, clean copy)

Component 2 – Drama
Written examination: 2 hours (60 marks) 15% of qualification
Section B: Drama pre/post 1900 (closed-book)

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their study of this course during Year 12.

The library is your most useful resource! Our school library houses copies of all of the set texts as well as good quality study and revision guides.
EDUQAS: English Literature – the examination board’s website is an invaluable revision tool. Here you can find past exam papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports.
S-Cool – this website covers a range of important topics, including the set texts for this specification. A useful revision tool.
EnglishBiz – Englishbiz has a number of A Level revision resources available, including this this useful pdf document about how to write an effective essay at A level.

Year 13

Specification Code: 601/4870/6
Level: A2
Examination Board: EDUQAS

Curriculum

In Year 13, we revisit the units studied at AS. In addition you will study:

John Donne’s ‘Selected Poems’
Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ or ‘Hamlet’
Unseen prose and poetry
Two novels for the coursework element of the course

Assessment

Component 1: Poetry
Written examination: 2 hours (120 marks) – 30% of qualification
Section A: Poetry pre-1900 (open-book, clean copy)
Section B: Poetry post-1900 (open-book, clean copy)

Component 2: Drama
Written examination: 2 hours (120 marks) – 30% of qualification
Section A: Shakespeare (closed-book)
Section B: Drama pre/post 1900 (closed-book)

Component 3: Unseen Texts
Written examination: 2 hours (80 marks) – 20% of qualification
Section A: Unseen prose
Section B: Unseen poetry

Component 4: Prose Study
Non-examination assessment (NEA): 2500-3500 word assignment (80 marks) – 20% of qualification
2500-3500 word assignment based on the reading of two prose texts by different authors, one published pre-2000 and one published post-2000.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their study of this course during Year 13.

The library is your most useful resource! Our school library houses copies of all of the set texts as well as good quality study and revision guides.
EDUQAS: English Literature – the examination board’s website is an invaluable revision tool. Here you can find past exam papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports.
S-Cool – this website covers a range of important topics, including the set texts for this specification. A useful revision tool.
EnglishBiz – Englishbiz has a number of A Level revision resources available, including this useful pdf document about how to write an effective essay at A level.

A level Film Studies

Specification Code: A670QS
Level:A level
Examination Board: EDUQAS

A Level film studies combines the academic study of film and film making with the opportunity for students to practice screen writing and production. The qualification enables students to study film from a wide range f genres, times and cultures whilst allowing them to garner the necessary analytical skills to tackle a broad range of practical or academic qualifications in higher education.

Year 12

Curriculum

Students will study the following topics:

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking
Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives

Assessment

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking
Written examination – 2 hours 30 minutes – 35% of qualification

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of six feature-length films.

Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two Hollywood films, one from the Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period (1961-1990). Films studied are ‘Do the Right Thing’ and ‘Vertigo’.

Section B: American film since 2005 (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two American films, one mainstream film and one contemporary independent film. Films studied are ‘La La Land’ and ‘Boyhood’.

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes – 35% of qualification

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of five feature-length films (or their equivalent).

Section A: Global film (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two global films: one European (‘Pan’s Labyrinth’) and one produced outside Europe (‘City of God’).

Section B: Documentary film
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one documentary film. Students look at ‘Amy’, ‘Longhinotto’ and ‘Broomfield’.

Section C: British film since 1995 (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two British films. Films studied are ‘This is England’ and ‘Trainspotting’.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their study of this course during Year 12.

The library is your most useful resource! Our school library houses copies of all of the set texts as well as good quality study and revision guides.
EDUQAS: Film Studies – the examination board’s website is an invaluable revision tool. Here you can find past exam papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports.
IMDb – this website covers all films on the specification and is a good starting point for the study of these films.
BFI – News and updates on forthcoming films, directors and film related events

Year 13

Curriculum

In Year 13, students look at:

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives
Component 3: Production

Assessment

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives
Written examination – 2 hours 30 minutes – 35% of qualification

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of five feature-length films (or their equivalent).

Section C: Film Movements – Silent Cinema
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one silent film or group of films. Students examine ‘Sunrise’ and some Buster Keaton shorts.

Section D: Film Movements – Experimental Film (1960-2000)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one film option. Films studied are ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Daisies’.

Component 3: Production
Non-exam assessment – 30% of qualification
This component assesses one production and its evaluative analysis. Learners produce: either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words) plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay PLUS an evaluative analysis (1600 – 1800 words).

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their study of this course during Year 13.

The library is your most useful resource! Our school library houses copies of all of the set texts as well as good quality study and revision guides.
EDUQAS: Film Studies – the examination board’s website is an invaluable revision tool. Here you can find past exam papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports.
IMDb – this website covers all films on the specification and is a good starting point for the study of these films.
BFI – News and updates on forthcoming films, directors and film related events

As a department, we organise a number of extra-curricular activities for students of all ages. These include:

Debate Mate
Shadowing the Carnegie Medal
Accelerated Reader
Theatre trips
Visiting authors
Film screenings
Filming off-site
Visits from industry professionals
Lecture study days (KS5)