Join The Westgate School Basket Ball and Netball club! All skill levels welcome for fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Go Basketball & Netball Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Basketball & Netball Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 3 - 6 Contact Primary Reception Get ready to elevate your game and have a blast with our school basketball and netball clubs! Whether you’re aiming to improve your skills or just looking for some fun and fitness, our clubs offer something for everyone. Here’s why you should join: Skill Development Team Spirit Fitness and Fun Both clubs provide a supportive and encouraging environment where you can grow as an athlete and make lasting friendships. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of these exciting sports communities! Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Join the art club where everyone is passionate about art. Create and discuss all things art and make new friends along the way. Go Art Club Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Art Club Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 7 - 8 Contact See EduLink for further details Unleash your creativity and explore the vibrant world of art with The Westgate School secondary phase art clubs! Whether you’re a budding artist or an experienced creator, our clubs offer a welcoming space for all skill levels. Here’s why you should join: Diverse Artistic Opportunities : From painting and drawing to sculpture and digital art, our clubs cover a wide range of artistic disciplines. There’s something for everyone! Expert Guidance : Learn from experienced instructors and guest artists who provide valuable insights and techniques to help you grow as an artist. Collaborative Environment : Connect with fellow art enthusiasts, share ideas, and collaborate on exciting projects. Our clubs foster a supportive and inspiring community. Exhibitions and Events : Showcase your work in our regular exhibitions and participate in art events that celebrate creativity and talent. Creative Freedom : Express yourself freely and explore new styles and mediums in a judgement-free zone. Our clubs encourage experimentation and innovation. Join the School Art Clubs today and embark on a creative journey that will enrich your artistic skills and connect you with a passionate community of artists. Let’s create something amazing together! Book here Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Join the Duke of Edinburgh award for meeting in gaining the Bronze award. Go Duke of Edinburgh Award Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Duke of Edinburgh Award Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 10 Contact See EduLink for further details Meetings linked to the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award group. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Go Drama Drama is the art of looking at ourselves Go Our Drama curriculum intends to: Develop pupils confidence, expressive skills, creativity and emotional intelligence. Develop greater cultural capital through broadening their knowledge and understanding of variety of dramatic styles and genre. Give opportunities to contribute to the school and wider community. Why Learn Drama? Drama engages and encourages pupils to become confident performers and designers with the skills they need for a bright and successful future. There is as much opportunity as possible to do what they like best and participate in performances. Pupils will devise drama and explore play texts practically. In Learning to Perform pupils will learn how to commit dialogue to memory for devised performances and/or learn text for text-based performances. They will also develop the ability to interpret and/or create and perform a character to develop an appropriate performer/audience relationship and ensure sustained engagement Course content: From Year 7 pupils explore a range of different genres and drama techniques, building their confidence and self awareness. Many pupils opt to supplement their formal learning by joining our popular after school Drama club, where they are given the opportunity to work with older pupils and participate in our annual performances. EYFS | KS1 Content KS2 Content Year 7 & 8 Content Year 9 Content Year 10 & 11 Content Overview of the Course We help pupils to become confident and creative collaborators as they develop their understanding of the subject. Pupils will explore a range of themes, issues situations and relationships and learn to express ideas about themselves, others, and the wider world. Drama is largely practical with some aspects of theoretical and written work throughout. Course content: Year 7 Pupils explore units of enquiry on acting skills and mystery plays, script work - The Demon Headmaster - and a Haunted House physical theatre project. Year 8 Pupils explore units of enquiry on Greek Theatre, Shakespeare, Comedy and drama for a purpose. The Witness is a play that explores racial justice and equality. Course skills: Participate in practical activities and collaborate with team members. Exploring and responding creatively to texts, develop and refine dramatic ideas through REHEARSAL. Performing and communicating dramatic intentions to an audience. Use vocal and physical skills to create characters Pupils share work and give each other feedback based on strengths, improvements and personal responses to the content of the Drama. (We refer to this as Strength – Improvement – Response or SIR). Overview of the year In Year 9 pupils will have increased time and opportunity to develop their practical dramatic skills, develop their understanding of role and genre and improve a greater sense of how to appreciate theatre and play structures. Pupils also are invited to participate and take more senior roles in our plays and musicals to further enhance their skills. Drama Course Content Environmental Plays Pupils explore ‘Bhopal’, a play relating an environmental disaster, and ‘The Tree’ relating to climate change and destruction. Pupils use a non-naturalistic acting style using multi-roling, narration and direct address. Pupils stage and prepare for a performance of their chosen Environmental play. Stone Cold Pupils explore the play ‘Stone Cold’ as a piece of scripted theatre linked to the topic of Homelessness. Pupils aim for a naturalistic style of performance that creates tension. Understanding Drama: Practitioners: Brecht Devising project – pupils devise plays linked to research on the topic of homelessness. Pupils take information or inspiration from stories and images in a stimulus booklet. Exploring Texts: Too Much Punch for Judy A short introduction to a play that applies some of Brecht’s techniques in a modern ‘theatre-in-education’ setting. Understanding Drama: Practical Study of monologues, duologues, and extracts from Set Texts ‘Go West Arts’ – Link to Go West Arts / West Fest in July Pupils work in groups or pairs on key duologues and/or group scenes from plays chosen for the festival. Focus is on learning through exploration and language analysis. Introduction to a play text: Blood Brothers Pupils explore key scenes and learn about the characters, setting and themes. Home Learning A variety of practical tasks and research tasks will help pupils prepare between sessions, explore, and deepen knowledge and understanding, and review progress. Tasks will be set on EduLink and noted in the Handbook for Learning. The expectation will be approx. 45 minutes to one hour per week in Year 9. Drama Club Pupils are also invited to extend their learning through extra-curricular participation in clubs and Productions. A Drama Society runs at lunchtimes for pupils to explore class work or join with others on Go West Arts festival projects From Year 10 pupils begin their GCSE course and will cover the following aspects: Component 1: Understanding Drama - 40% of the GCSE Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre. Study of one set play from a choice of six (selected by the Drama department). Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers. Component 2: Devising Drama (practical) - 40% of GCSE Process of creating devised drama. Performance of devised drama. Analysis and evaluation of own work. Assessment: Component 1 Written exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes; open book: 80 marks. Section A: multiple choice (4 marks). Section B: four questions on a given extract from the set play chosen (44 marks). Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks) Component 2 Devising log (60 marks); Devised performance (20 marks); 80 marks in total; This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA. Component 3 Texts in Practice (practical) 20 % of GCSE Assessment Performance of Extract 1 (20 marks) and Extract 2 (20 marks) 40 marks in total. Exam Board: AQA - 8261 Our Curriculum Curriculum Intent Options Careers Employers Curriculum Subjects Art | Fine Art Computing | Computer Science English Design Technology Drama Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography German History Latin Maths Media Studies Music Personal Development Photography Physical Education Religious Education Science Sculpture Spanish The Wellbeing Curriculum

Go Astronomy Go Course intent Most people are fascinated by the night sky and are interested in stories about our continuing exploration of our Solar System and Universe. The course will enable pupils to understand our position in the Universe, the movements of planets and stars, the cycles in the night and daytime sky, and the way in which we use technology to observe and interact with space. The pupils will have the opportunity to use astronomical maps, pinhole cameras to take images, complete solar observations as well as learning telescopic techniques. EYFS | KS1 Content KS2 Content Year 7 & 8 Content Year 9 Content Year 10 & 11 Content Astronomy is not specifically taught within EYFS/KS1 Astronomy is not specifically taught within KS2 Astronomy is not specifically taught within KS3 Astronomy is not specifically taught within KS3 Curriculum overview and assessment: Paper 1: Naked Eye Astronomy 50% of the qualification 100 marks Topic 1 – Planet Earth Topic 2 – The lunar disc Topic 3 – The Earth-Moon-Sun system Topic 4 – Time and the Earth-Moon-Sun cycles Topic 5 – Solar System observation Topic 6 – Celestial observation Topic 7 – Early models of the Solar System Topic 8 – Planetary motion and gravity Paper 2: Telescopic Astronomy 50% of the qualification 100 marks Topic 9 – Exploring the Moon Topic 10 – Solar astronomy Topic 11 – Exploring the Solar System Topic 12 – Formation of planetary systems Topic 13 – Exploring starlight Topic 14 – Stellar evolution Topic 15 – Our place in the Galaxy Topic 16 - Cosmology The assessments will be a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations, graphical and extended-open-response questions. Observational skills Throughout their study of the qualification, pupils should develop their observational skills. Pupils must undertake at least one aided and one unaided observation. Pupils will need to use their knowledge and understanding of observational techniques and procedures in the written assessments. How will the course run? GCSE Astronomy is a full GCSE that will be additional to any options that your child will already be taking. The course will be taught twice a week after school between 3-4pm by the Science Department during the course of year 10 and 11. The course will run if there is sufficient interest by the pupils. There may also be a small cost involved to cover the cost of equipment needed and the exam entries. This course is ideal for those pupils who have an innate love of all things space and are interested in our place in the Universe. Due to the mathematical aspect of the course, it would be advised that pupils that are aiming for at least a grade 6/ 7 in GCSE Maths. We will be following the Edexcel Pearson Specification . Our Curriculum Curriculum Intent Options Careers Employers Curriculum Subjects Art | Fine Art Computing | Computer Science English Design Technology Drama Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography German History Latin Maths Media Studies Music Personal Development Photography Physical Education Religious Education Science Sculpture Spanish The Wellbeing Curriculum

Unlock your musical potential at The Westgate School Keyboard Club! Join us to learn, play, and create beautiful music in a supportive setting. Go Keyboard Club Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Keyboard Club Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 7 - 9 Contact See EduLink for further details The Keyboard Club is open to Year 7 and Year 8s.  The club will develop instrumental skills and encourage general musicianship skills through-out the year, as well as develop a good social network of like-minded musicians. The club will support pupils with their music class work and pupils will work at their own pace individually. Pupil music leaders will be supporting music teachers in running this club. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Join The Westgate School Badminton club! All skill levels welcome for fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Serve, rally, and smash your way to new skills! Go Badminton Club Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Badminton Club Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 7 - 11 Contact See EduLink for further details Serve up some fun by joining The Westgate School Badminton Club! It's a smashing opportunity to learn the game, improve your skills, and enjoy friendly competition. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, our club welcomes all levels. Come rally with us and be part of a team that values sportsmanship and camaraderie. Let's hit the court together! Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Orchestra club, experience the joy of making music! Open to all skill levels, we offer fun rehearsals, exciting performances, and a supportive community. Go Orchestra (Lower School) Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Orchestra (Lower School) Internal / External Internal Age Range Year 1 - 6 Contact Primary Reception Discover the joy of making music with friends! Our Lower School orchestra welcomes musicians of all skill levels. Whether you play strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion, there's a place for you. Enjoy exciting performances, improve your musical talents, and be part of a supportive community. Rehearsals are fun and rewarding, and we perform at various school and community events throughout the year. Come share your passion for music and create unforgettable memories with us! Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Go STEM Club Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings STEM Club Internal / External Internal Age Range For all pupils Contact See Edulink for details STEM club runs as a series of longer projects investigating different aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Previous topics have included Rocket Launchers and Astronomy. Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

When school’s out, SportSkool’s in – and running a holiday club near you! Throughout the week, your child could be taught a variety of top sports. Go Sportskool Go Beyond the Classroom Clubs | Wraparound | Holiday Clubs Community Lettings Sportskool Internal / External External Age Range 5 and 13 years Contact Holiday Clubs | Sport Skool When school’s out, SportSkool’s in – and running a holiday club near you! Throughout the week, your child could be taught a variety of top sports by qualified, DBS-checked and fully insured SportSkool coaches. It is hard to pin down exactly what multi-sports involves as the children will be taken on a whistle-stop tour of the sporting world with coaches specialising in, among others: dodgeball, cricket, street games, football, dance, benchball, tag-rugby and cheerleading What we offer Multi-sport holiday clubs are available during all school holidays, for children aged between 5 and 13 years old. Classes take place from 10am to 3pm and extra child-care is available from 8.30am and until 5.30pm for those that require it. Holiday clubs are almost always fully-booked so contact us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment! Go Wraparound | Clubs | Holiday Clubs Go

Explore strategies for leading and growing successful all-through schools. Go Leading & Developing an all-through school Go Leading & Developing an all-through school Lead Professionals: Mrs F Dean (Executive Headteacher) and Mrs. J Edwards (Head of School) We’ve had the privilege of developing Hampshire’s first, all-through school with our first cohort of pupils from the primary phase moving into Year 7 back in 2021. Initially as a standalone secondary school, The Westgate School has for just over a decade, taken the journey to being a school from EYFS to Year 11, with 25% of pupils in our secondary phase having been to the school’s primary phase. Over time we have been delighted to share our journey with professionals from Multi-Academy Trusts and councils who are exploring the opportunities offered through this model. We would be delighted to invite to our school anyone interested in pursuing this opportunity, offering you a tour as well as a candid review of the opportunities and the challenges! Should be embarking on this journey, we would be happy to provide continued support which extends beyond the Executive Headteacher and Head of School, to include colleagues from across our setting and governors, providing a full range of experiences and views For more information, use the contact form: Contact and sele ct Collaborative Working & Partnerships citing All-Through. Go Collaborative Working & partnerships Next page Home Our School Headteacher's Welcome Ofsted Safeguarding Statutory Information | SEND Policies Admissions Governance Pupil Premium | Catch-up Statement Exam Results Vacancies School News House System Calendar & Open Events Collaborative Working & Partnerships Contact

Go English Read like a writer; write like a reader; question like a critic; think like an individual Go Our English Curriculum intends to: Instil in pupils a passion for literature and a life-long love of reading. Teach pupils to become critical, analytical and evaluative readers of fiction and non-fiction. Enable pupils to craft language so that they become convincing writers, able to adapt their writing for different audiences and purposes. Ensure that pupils are effective communicators in spoken English. Why learn English? English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. Our English course will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and, through their listening and reading, others can communicate with them. With reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Literature plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society: pupils who do not learn to speak, read and write fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised. The curriculum is taught as an integrated course combining the study of language and literature, which continues in Years 9 -11. Our vision is that from Reception Year onwards, all pupils develop a passion and enthusiasm for English through exploring and appreciating a range of texts, both literary and non-fiction, and learn how to craft language to suit a range of audiences and purposes. The English curriculum is taught as an integrated course. However, pupils will be entered for GCSE English Language and Literature as two discrete qualifications. EYFS | KS1 Content KS2 Content Year 7 & 8 Content Year 9 Content Year 10 & 11 Content Writing For EYFS/Key Stage 1 ‘Read like a writer; write like a reader; question like a critic; think like an individual’ begins with our youngest children, joining us in Reception. Writing begins with meaningful mark making, such as first attempts to write a shopping list, to writing their name. As they settle into Reception, children learn correct letter formation following 'Letter Join' handwriting sequence resources and are encouraged to write purposefully and clearly to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings. Following a rich and diverse text driven curriculum, children are inspired to write and enjoy opportunities for planning, drafting and reviewing. Oracy is a vital part of our Early Years Curriculum, and our children develop confident skills to become assured and articulate speakers. Through circle times and sharing their interests in key person groupings all children are supported to practise and develop formal and informal speaking skills. Children are also taught to understand the benefits of being sensitive, observant and attentive listeners. During Year 1 our carefully planned foundations of learning from EYFS are strengthened and refined. Handwriting skills develop and children are taught to progress letter formation into the beginnings of a cursive script. Children are taught a wide variety of writing skills such as: the art of letter writing, recount and instructional writing. ‘Talk for writing’ creates exciting narratives and figurative poetry. During Year 2 children begin to write more cohesively using a wider range of conjunctions and are expected to write with a greater stamina. Our text driven curriculum is thoughtfully planned to ensure children continue to develop a rich and varied vocabulary and understand that texts are set out in different ways for different purposes. Oracy skills are built upon, and children feel confident challenging each other and putting forward their point of view whilst accepting that others may think differently. Throughout KS1 and in reception, learning is assessed formatively using ‘pink for praise’ and ‘green for growth’ highlighters. Children are clear and confident to articulate what they have done well and what they need to do to improve their writing. Children are also taught how to begin to edit their own writing. Phonics and Reading Schemes For Key Stage 1 Little Wandle Letters and Sounds - Phonics. We use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised as our phonics and early reading programme. Little Wandle is a complete, systematic synthetic phonics programme and has been designed to ensure that all children become confident, fluent readers who develop a lifelong love of reading. What is phonics? Phonics is the method we use to teach children how to read and write. Children learn that letters represent sounds and are taught how to blend these sounds together to read words and segment them to spell words. Through Little Wandle, children are taught phonics every day in a session lasting 20-30 minutes. Children are taught the five phases of Little Wandle phonics during Reception and Year 1. They are fully supported to learn: new sounds and letter patterns in a clear sequence. how to blend sounds to read words accurately. how to read and spell words with increasing confidence. strategies to develop fluency, comprehension and enjoyment of reading. Reading Books In KS1 your child will bring home three Reading books and three bookmarks: I Read - A fully decodable book to read over the weekend with you. This book matches the phonics they have been taught, has been read by your child 3 times during the week with an adult and is carefully matched to their current reading ability in order to experience success and build confidence. We Read - A sharing book for you to enjoy together at home. This book may be more challenging and is intended to be read and discussed with the support of another person at home. Family Read - A library book, your child has selected with teacher guidance, to share at home with you. In our 3 read approach, children will read the same reading practise book in small groups three times a week in school before bringing it home. Re-reading helps children develop accuracy, fluency and expression, all of which are essential for becoming confident readers. How can you help at home? You can support your child by: Listening to them read regularly. Encouraging them to sound out and blend words using the phonics they have learned. Praising their efforts and celebrating their progress. Reading stories together every day and talking about books. Ensuring reading books and reading records are returned to school as requested. Supporting Parents We recognise that phonics may be taught differently from when many parents and carers were at school. To help you support your child at home, please have a look at the Little Wandle website which gives lots of information and guidance about Little Wandle, including helpful resources and videos demonstrating the correct pronunciation of sounds. www.littlewandle.org.uk/resources/for-parents/ In June of Year 1 children will take part in the National phonics screening check and the application of phonics to reading. Children progress through the five Little Wandle phonics phases into the Year 2 Little Wandle spelling programme. Writing in Key Stage 2 Children continue to follow the ‘Letter join’ handwriting from year 2 programme and handwriting is expected to develop during this Key Stage to form a neat cursive script. Children progress from KS1 phonics into KS2 Spelling Shed resources. Consistent and accurate teaching ensures children’s writing develops with an authorial voice and a mature understanding of sentence structure and its effect on the reader. Stamina increases throughout KS2 and children create cohesive paragraphs in narratives and non-narrative material, whilst maintaining quality. Children are encouraged to read and check their writing for sense, editing for improvement is taught alongside audience awareness. There is a greater level of independence to select and propose changes for appropriate grammar and vocabulary and children are taught to use effective organisational and presentational devices. Challenging texts continue to be chosen carefully to ensure rich vocabulary development and an understanding of how authors write for effect. Writing outcomes are planned carefully using high quality texts to ensure that writing is effective and emotive and covering a range of genres. Older children often support younger children and listen carefully to each other’s ‘masterpieces’. Throughout KS2 writing continues to be assessed formatively using ‘pink for praise’ and ‘green for growth’. Children are clear, confident creative writers and can articulate what they have done well and what they need to do to improve their writing. Year 6 is the final Year of KS2 and we ensure a smooth and supportive transition from KS2 into the beginning of KS3. As part of our middle school model, colleagues from both phases, Primary and Secondary, deliver teaching and learning in our ‘all through’ school. Upper KS2 texts are chosen carefully in consideration of the KS3 English Curriculum and children are well prepared for this next stage of their educational journey. Reading in Key Stage 2 At The Westgate School, we recognise reading as a fundamental skill that opens the door to learning across the curriculum. From Reception through to Year 6, children’s reading is regularly recorded in their reading record by teaching colleagues, parents and children, with pupils in Year 6 using their planner to document their reading. In Key Stage 2, five guided reading sessions are timetabled each week. The first session focuses on the explicit teaching of reading skills as a whole class. During the remaining sessions, children work in smaller groups to read a range of carefully selected texts, developing their understanding through discussion, debate and purposeful questioning. Each group has the opportunity to work directly with their teacher during the week. Alongside guided reading, children complete ‘Skill Builder’ activities, which enable them to consolidate and apply their reading knowledge and skills. Children are also encouraged to be creative in how they present and publish this work, helping to foster independence and enjoyment in their learning. Our Key Stage 2 pupils visit the school library at least once a week, where they can choose from a wide variety of high-quality books. We aim to encourage children to explore different authors, genres and texts and, most importantly, to develop a genuine love of reading. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 also have the opportunity to apply to become Reading Ambassadors, giving them an active role in promoting and celebrating reading across the school. We celebrate reading in a variety of ways throughout the year. World Book Day provides an opportunity to celebrate poetry, while our Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh pupils support younger readers each week by sharing poetry, plays, fiction and non-fiction with children across the school. Reading for pleasure is an important part of our school week for every child. Carefully chosen class texts expose pupils to rich and varied language, helping to broaden their vocabulary, deepen their understanding and nurture their confidence and enthusiasm as readers. Overview of the Course: From the start of Year 7, all pupils are introduced to our core skills – the golden threads - so they are fully embedded by the time the pupils reach KS4. These key skills are taught through a study of novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction or media-based texts. Course Content: Year 7 Year 7 pupils begin the year with the ‘Heroes’ unit which is designed to develop a range of pupils’ inference as well as introduce the skills of analysis and comparison. Writing will involve crafting a persuasive speech to be delivered to the class. Subsequent units include the study of a modern novel; poetry of peace and protest; a creative travel writing unit; a media unit on representation and stereotypes and a Shakespeare play. Year 8 Year 8 has been designed to build on the skills that have been introduced in Year 7. The year begins with a unit on Gothic Literature where pupils analyse 19th century fiction and write an opening to their own Gothic novel. By the end of the year, all pupils will have also studied a dystopian novel to develop creative writing skills; a media-based unit on advertising; a Shakespeare play; poems from other cultures and developed reading skills to explore what life was like in the nineteenth century. The course is planned to provide a range of cultural experiences to widen pupils’ horizons and develop a passion for reading and the study of literature which we hope will stay with them throughout their life. Pupils are encouraged to transfer the reading and writing skills to other curriculum areas and these links are often made explicit in lessons. Course Skills: Reading: skimming, scanning and decoding skills, comprehension and inference, analysis of language and the structure of a text, and evaluation skills are introduced and consolidated over the two years. Writing: both creative and analytical writing skills are taught together with a focus on structure of the text, use of language devices, improving vocabulary and technical accuracy. Spoken language skills are practised through speeches and drama-based activities and debating and other structured talk. Assessment: Pupils will be assessed in every unit and each assessment will focus on a different skill for either reading or writing. All pupils will be fully prepared for the assessments and will practise the skills needed during lessons. The assessments will focus on key skills to provide a strong foundation for all pupils in improving their literacy, analysis or communication skills. To support your child’s learning in English and Media Studies clips will be shown from films such as: 'War Horse' and 'Romeo and Juliet' (Year 7); 'Macbeth' (Year 9); These clips and/or films will be shown in lessons according to our curriculum plans. In alignment with British Board of Film Classification regulations, pupils may be shown clips from films that are slightly above their chronological age (e.g., a film classified as a 12 for pupils in Year 7) where a teacher deems it appropriate for educational reasons. In doing so, adults will ensure that it is appropriate for the learning task and for the children in the class and if there are any scenes that could be upsetting, will advise pupils in advance. If you have any concerns and would like to discuss this in more detail, please do contact Mrs. Griffiths, Faculty Leader for English and MFL, as soon as possible such that we can adjust our plans, and we will be happy to work in partnership with you. English Language and Literature in Year 9 Overview of the Course: Pupils will develop their skills as critical readers of fiction and non-fiction texts and also become writers, adept at crafting language to suit a range of audiences and purposes. They will also become confident speakers able to express their opinion on a range of challenging ideas. Course Content: English language skills are taught in an integrated way, complementing and supporting the English Literature course. Pupils will read a choice of modern fiction, a Shakespeare text, poetry, a range of non-fiction texts including speeches, adverts and autobiographical journals. More confident learners will study Latin as part of their English Curriculum. The addition of Latin provides further enrichment and enhances learners’ understanding of language development, with a view to taking the language onto GCSE if they choose to. Other curriculum opportunities such as participating in a Shakespeare workshop, viewing a production or analysing speeches by famous historical figures and politicians broadens pupils’ cultural experiences further. Course Skills: Reading skills of inference, analysis and evaluation. Writing to persuade and argue and develop a distinctive voice. Writing creative texts including stories and descriptions. Spoken language presentation skills. English Language GCSE and English Literature GCSE The English curriculum is taught as an integrated course. However, pupils will be entered for GCSE English Language and Literature as two discrete qualifications and pupils will be entered for both GCSEs. English Language GCSE: Pupils follow the AQA course for GCSE English Language. Pupils will build on the skills of reading and writing they have been developing throughout their time at The Westgate School, but now it will be much more tailored to the demands of the exam. Pupils will continue to develop as critical readers with a focus on the skills of inference, analysis and evaluation and comparison. They will read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, both contemporary and from the nineteenth century. Assessment: The English Language GCSE is assessed through two linear exams, both worth 50% of the course: Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives Pupils are given practice GCSE assessments at the end of each unit. English Literature GCSE: Pupils follow the AQA course for GCSE English Literature. They will read a nineteenth century novel, either: ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ by Robert L Stevenson, ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens, or ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley. They will also study a modern text: either ‘Lord of the Flies’ or ‘An Inspector Calls’ and a range of pre and post 1914 poetry on the theme of Power and Conflict, and ‘Macbeth’. Please note: texts are subject to change according to exam board review. Assessment: The English Literature GCSE is assessed through two linear exams: ‘Shakespeare and the Nineteenth Century text’ worth 40%. ‘Poetry and Modern Texts’ worth 60% of the course. Pupils are given practice GCSE assessments at the end of each unit. Home Learning: Pupils are expected to complete Home Learning every week. Usually this should take one hour. Home Learning will be set as a variety of tasks including reading tasks in preparation for the lesson, language analysis, and the completion of written tasks. Exam Board AQA 8700 - English Language Exam Board AQA 8702 - English Literature Our Curriculum Curriculum Intent Options Careers Employers Curriculum Subjects Art | Fine Art Computing | Computer Science English Design Technology Drama Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography German History Latin Maths Media Studies Music Personal Development Photography Physical Education Religious Education Science Sculpture Spanish The Wellbeing Curriculum