ENGLISH

While in Year 8 they will write for different genres: poetry, prose, drama, non-fiction; and for different purposes: to explain, entertain, persuade, advise, inform. Essay planning is taught and techniques of drafting and re-drafting are further developed. Pupils are expected to use apostrophes, colons and semi-colons, and to punctuate speech correctly.

For the Independent Reading Programme they will chose books deemed suitable for their Year (see Reading Scheme), keep a record of their private reading, and complete tasks on their chosen texts. Classes study at least one novel every half term and written tasks and oral work will often arise from this reading. Poetry, plays and works of non-fiction are also studied, and work on critical analysis of plot, setting, themes, style and characterisation is undertaken.

Pupils at this level will take part in whole class and small group discussion, learn the conventions of debating, develop their skills in reading aloud, and plan and deliver short oral presentations, either individually or in groups.