KS3 COURSE OVERVIEW

The Curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9.

The Department of Education publishes ‘The National Curriculum’ and it is a requirement that we follow the ‘Programme of Study for Key Stage 3’ which is divided into three areas:

• Speaking and listening
• Reading
• Writing

In addition, in 2001, the Department of Education introduced the ‘Key Stage 3 Strategy: Framework for English.’ This adds more detail to the broad areas of study required by The National Curriculum. The Framework for English breaks down each of the above areas as follows:

Speaking and Listening

• Speaking
• Listening
• Group discussion and interaction
• Drama

Reading

• Research and study skills
• Reading for meaning
• Understanding the author’s craft
• Study of literary texts

Writing

• Spelling
• Vocabulary
• Planning and drafting
• Handwriting and presentation
• Sentence construction and punctuation
• Paragraphing
• Standard English and language variation
• Writing to:-
  • Imagine, explore, entertain
• Inform, explain, describe
• Persuade, argue, advise
• Analyse, review, comment.

Each pupil will cover all these areas in each year of Key Stage 3 English. 

We find it useful to cover each of the above areas within units of work on, for example, a novel, a play, poetry, non-fiction writing, knowledge about language or media. Each pupil also has the opportunity to use ICT in English.

In year 9 pupils are required to study one Shakespeare text in preparation for the national End of Key Stage 3 Test (you may know them as SATS). 

Assessment

During years 7, 8 and 9 each pupil is assessed for their level in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. Mostly this assessment is ongoing by the teacher. However we feel it is also important that pupils are aware of their levels and what they need to do to progress. At the end of this section is a ‘pupil-friendly’ version of the level criteria which is often used in self and peer assessment exercises.

Exams

In years 7 and 8 there is one internal exam each year. This is taken in a formal exam setting and is marked according to common criteria.

In Year 9 the pupils must also sit an End of Key Stage 3 Test (you may know this as SATS). This test assesses a pupil’s level in Reading and Writing. 

The test requires the pupils to:

• Write two different types of text.
• Read three types of material (usually a mixture of fiction and non-fiction) and answer questions on them.
• Respond to a question on one Shakespeare play they have studied in Year 9.

This test is set and administered by an external agency – the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). Test results for English are now received by schools in August.

KS3 Assessment criteria for Speaking & Listening

Use the questions below to help you decide what level you think each student should receive for their speaking and listening assessment.

Level 4

• Do you talk and listen with some confidence?

• Do you use a suitable tone for the purpose of your talk?

• Is your information relevant to the task?

• Do you explain your ideas and opinions carefully?

Level 5

• Do you talk and listen quite confidently?

• Is your talk quite interesting to listen to?

• Do you try to vary your tone of voice?

• Do you try to use a wide range of vocabulary?

• Do you show some understanding of what you are talking about?

• Do you use Standard English where appropriate?

Level 6

• Have you planned your talk carefully and thoughtfully?

• Is your talk interesting to listen to?

• Do you vary your tone of voice?

• Do you use a range of vocabulary?

• Do you make eye contact with the audience?

• Do you show understanding of what you are talking about?

• Do you talk fluently and confidently?

• Do you use Standard English where appropriate?

Level 7

• Have you planned your work to a very high standard?

• Do you talk confidently and fluently about your subject?

• Do you make eye contact and interact with the audience?

• Do you clearly understand what you are discussing?

• Do you clearly express your own opinions?

• Do you use a wide range of vocabulary with confidence?

• Is your talk clearly structured and well organised?

• Do you use Standard English confidently where appropriate?

Level 8

• Have you planned your work to an exceptionally high standard?

• Do you talk maturely and confidently with no hesitation?

• Do you interact with your audience through eye contact and discussion?

• Do you develop your points thoroughly and always explain them clearly and knowledgeably?

• Do you clearly structure your talk and organise your points so that it is easy to follow and effective for your purpose?

• Do you vary your tone of voice and use emphasise where appropriate?

• Do you confidently use Standard English and make appropriate vocabulary choices?

KS3 Assessment Criteria for Reading

Use the questions below to help you work towards your target level for reading.

If you are assessing another pupil’s work, use the questions to decide what level you think they should receive for their reading assessment.

Level 4

• Do you show understanding of important events and characters in the text?

• Do you refer to the text when you are explaining your opinions?

• Can you find information from the text and use it in your answers?

Level 5

• Do you show quite clear understanding of the text?

• Can you identify key features, characters and themes from the text?

• Can you select the most important parts of the text and comment on them?

• Can you use information from the text to prove what you are saying?

Level 6

• Can you identify and talk about different layers of meaning in a text?

• Can you comment on what effect they have in the text and why they are important?

• Can you offer an opinion about what you think of a text?

• Can you support this opinion with evidence from the text?

• Can you use quotes in your answer?

• Can you talk about language, structure and themes when you are explaining your opinion?

Level 7

• Can you confidently identify and discuss how writers convey meaning and information in a text?

• Can you express detailed and considered opinions about a text?

• Can you use textual evidence from the text in your responses?

• Can you insert quotes into your sentences to clearly support and make your point?

• Can you talk confidently about the effect of language, structure and themes in a text? 

Level 8

• Can you show enthusiasm for the text?

• Can you show considered understanding of how the writer has created a text?

• Can you evaluate how the writer uses language, structure and presentational devices to create effects in a text?

• Can you refer continuously to the text to support your opinions?

• Can you integrate quotations smoothly into your sentences to support your opinions?

KS3 Assessment Criteria for Writing

Use the questions below to help you work towards your target level for writing.

If you are assessing another pupil’s work, use the questions to decide what level you think they should receive for their writing assessment.

Level 4

• Do you use a range of different words?

• Do you organise your writing so that it easy for the reader to understand?

• Do you begin each sentence with a capital letter and use a full stop at the end?

• Do you use question marks and other punctuation where appropriate?

• Is your handwriting neat, joined and easy to read?

• Do you know the correct spelling for most of the words that you use regularly?

• Do you spell those words correctly in your writing?

Level 5

• Is the purpose of your text easy to identify?

• Do you use a formal writing style when appropriate?

• Do you choose vocabulary to create interesting and imaginative effects?

• Do write in paragraphs?

• Do you use simple and complex sentences?

• Do you use commas, apostrophes and quotation marks correctly?

• Do you spell most words and some difficult words correctly?

• Is your handwriting and style of presentation neat, easy to read and suitable for the task?

Level 6

• Do you make sure your writing is interesting and engaging for your reader?

• Do you adapt the style and presentation of your writing to suit the purpose of your text?

• Can you write in a formal and impersonal style where appropriate?

• Do you organise your ideas into paragraphs?

• Do you use simple, compound and complex sentences to create effects?

• Do you use a wide range of vocabulary to create effects?

• Do you use punctuation to clarify meaning?

• Do you spell most words, and some irregular words, correctly?

• Do you present your work attractively and is it easy to read?

Level 7

• Do you write with confidence and choose a writing style to suit your purpose?

• Do you produce narrative writing with fully developed characters and settings?

• Do you organise your ideas into a clear and logical structure that is easy to follow?

• Do you paragraph and punctuate your work correctly so that your ideas or sequence of events are easy to follow?

• Do you use varied and sophisticated vocabulary and grammatical features in your writing for deliberate effect?

• Do you spell nearly all words, including irregular words, correctly?

• Is your work easy to read and attractively presented?

Level 8

.

• Do you create particular effects using language and structural features to interest the reader?

• Do you create believable and engaging characters in narrative writing?

• Do you use settings to create atmosphere in narrative writing?

• Do you vary the structure to suit the purpose of your writing?

• Do you produce non-fiction writing that is coherent and gives clear points of view?

• Do you use grammar and vocabulary to emphasise important points?

• Do you confidently use punctuation and paragraphing consistently in your work?