Issue 16

WELCOME BACK! September has started with a bang because of SATs results and leads us into a busy term. Lots of meetings and training available so please take advantage of them. I look forward to working with you again this term and to meeting the very many new faces we seem to have acquired over the Summer.

I know we’re in Grimsby but I still think something ‘fishy’ happened with the results this year! Most schools were down on expectations with the reading paper proving particularly problematic. A pattern repeated nationally. Useful to have everyone down at the Centre to look at scripts and get a local picture of pupils’ strengths and weaknesses. (See tables below). Please let me know how your appeals get on.

Reading

• Use guided reading to teach unseen reading materials e.g. media texts and the effect of specific words;
• Use intensive activities to improve responses to questions on effect of specific words;
• Continue to use cut up SATs papers with pupils to discuss questions;
• Continue to teach strategies for tackling 5 mark qus e.g. using bullet points.

Shakespeare

• Implement a ‘mock’ exam for Shakespeare for those schools who don’t do it already - to develop pace and show pupils how irrelevant plot is in mark scheme;
• Share mark scheme with pupils;
• Teach using a thematic approach rather than beginning with plot and characters;
• Give pupils opportunities to express and develop own opinions on the text.

Writing

• Review how planning is taught, to enable pupils to write more - especially for short task;
• Use guided writing to teach sentence variety and effect of words chosen on a reader;
• Continue to use intensive activities to improve vocabulary.

This is on 1 st - 2 nd December at The Holiday Inn, Doncaster . It is open to all teachers, not just NQTs or Heads of Department, so if you’ve not been before now’s your chance! Details will be sent out nearer the time.

The following courses have been arranged for staff who have little or no experience of teaching English at GCSE. They will look at assessment as well as teaching approaches. To apply please ring Nina Wall on 323191.

28 th September - An intro to GCSE

19 th October - Speaking and Listening

23 rd November - am - Media and Original Writing

- pm - post-1914 Drama and

Shakespeare

8 th February - am - Prose / Short stories

- pm - Poetry Anthology

15 th March - Exam preparation

Ted Snell from the Welsh exam board is coming to talk to us this term. Although a date has yet to be confirmed, it will be from 4-6pm at The Literacy Centre. He is bringing exemplification materials with him and would be useful for all those of you thinking about switching exam boards. All welcome and there will be a buffet tea.

The next Heads of English Network day is on 14 th November.

The morning session will be led by ‘Shakespeare4Kidz’ and will look at teaching ‘The Tempest’ for SATs.

The session is paid for so there is no cost to the school. We can have 25 people maximum and would like to get this number if possible, so you are welcome to invite another member of your department or someone from your Drama department if you wish. Even if you are not thinking of switching to ‘The Tempest’ for Year 9 it would be worthwhile sending someone.

The next English meeting is on Thursday 5 th October from 4- 5pmat The Literacy Centre. This is an informal meeting for anyone who teaches English and this year’s SATs are definitely on the agenda! Please bring your NQTs and new staff along so that they can meet people and get to know the Centre.

As most of you are probably aware by now, I am expecting baby no. 2 (on New Year’s Day!) so won’t be around after Christmas until the Summer term. Support will still be available though and I will let you know nearer the time who to contact.

For further information about English this term please continue to contact me on (01472) 323107.

As most of you know Dave Cutler, my second in command for literacy, has moved on to pastures new so although support for Literacy continues it may be a bit ‘stretched’ for the time being. Please let me know your training needs asap. Where possible, Literacy needs to be linked to school development plans and AfL if it is your school’s whole school’s initiative (WSI).

As most of you know Dave Cutler, my second in command for literacy, has moved on to pastures new so although support for Literacy continues it may be a bit ‘stretched’ for the time being. Please let me know your training needs asap. Where possible, Literacy needs to be linked to school development plans and AfL if it is your school’s whole school’s initiative (WSI).

Just to remind you of the cross curricular resources already available in school:

• “Literacy Across the Curriculum” + video (generic literacy skills);
• “Literacy in …” + videos (subject specific);
• “Literacy and Learning” + also available on cd (subject specific).

Some useful websites:

www.geoffbarton.co.uk = staff training ideas and literacy tips

www.ncaction.org.uk = egs of pupils’ writing from subjects across the curriculum

www.literacytrust.org.uk = a guide to setting up whole school literacy

There is a lot of good established literacy practice going on in our schools as the Literacy Strategy is moving into its 6 th year now! As an LEA we have videoed some examples of good teaching but would like to do more, so any budding film stars out there please let us know! People are always more interested in local videos than national ones.

The next Literacy Across the Curriculum meeting is on Thursday 12 th October from 4-5pm at The Literacy Centre. This is an informal meeting for Co-ordinators of Literacy Across the Curriculum and would be especially useful for those of you new to the role.

Information:
Remember that further information about local Literacy issues can be found at www.tlfe.org.uk/literacy

Nancy Malkin Key Stage 3 English Consultant
Tel: 01472 323107
nancy.malkin@nelincs.gov.uk

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