English

All of our students are checked to see if there are missing elements to their literacy, and support is then put in place to fill those gaps.

In primary teaching we use the following reading schemes: Dandelion, New Way, Story Worlds, Kingfisher

In our Special Needs teaching we use: Phonic Books Catchup, Meeting Friends, Barrington Stokes.

Key Stage 3 English

Key Stage 3 English Language and Literature curriculum

Key Stage 4 GCSE English Language

In Key Stage 4 English Language we deliver a one year course in year 10 and again in year 11, to give all students the opportunity to gain the necessary breadth of skills to tackle the language exams. This will prepare them either for their return to mainstream education or to take the Eduqas English Language GCSE through BHES at the end of year 11.

Students who find GCSE English Language too challenging, have the opportunity instead to take OCR Entry Level to GCSE, to equip them for entry into post 16 education.

Here is the link for the EDUQAS GCSE English Language specification:

GCSE English Language Specification

Here is the link to EDUQAS GCSE English Language past papers:

GCSE English Language Past Papers

You may wish to support your child by purchasing a revision guide and workbook for their independent study of EDUQAS GCSE English Language:

Recommended Revision Guide

Recommended Revision Workbook

 

Key Stage 4  OCR English Entry Level Certificate 

In Key Stage 4 we offer an English Entry Level Certificate, for learners not yet able to access the GCSE English Language curriculum through missed schooling and poor health. Therefore, students who find GCSE English Language too challenging, have the opportunity instead to take OCR Entry Level Certificate, to equip them for entry into post 16 education.

It is a one year course in year 10 and again in year 11. This is to give all students the opportunity to gain the necessary breadth of skills to tackle the five short andinternally assessed tasks.

Content overview

1. Reading

Students complete two reading tasks:

Understanding a non-fiction text. Students read a range of non-fiction text types, such as:

  • newspaper/magazine articles
  • letters
  • information/advice booklets
  • persuasive texts (e.g. advertisements, charity appeals)
  • reviews

Understanding a literary text. Students read a range of literary texts, such as:

  • short stories/narratives
  • descriptive texts
  • autobiography

2. Writing

Students complete two writing tasks:

Informative writing. This could take a variety of forms including:

  • a letter
  • an advertisement
  • a personal statement
  • a speech
  • an information leaflet
  • an article
  • an opinion piece
  • a review

Imaginative writing. This could take a variety of forms including:

  • a short story/narrative
  • the opening of a story
  • introducing a character
  • a descriptive piece

3. Spoken language

Students complete one task for Spoken language:

  • Discussion or role-play

Students participate in either a discussion or a role-play activity.

Here is the link for the full OCR English Entry Level specification:

OCR Entry Level Certificate Specification

Key Stage 4 GCSE English Literature

This is a two year course across Key Stage 4. All students will study the set texts, but not all students will take the final Eduqas English Literature GCSE.

The set texts studied at BHES in KS4 are:

Year 10:

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

An Inspector Calls – J. B. Priestley

Unseen Poetry

Year 11:

Romeo and Juilet – William Shakespeare

Poetry Anthology

Here is the link for the EDUQAS GCSE English Literature specification:

GCSE English Literature Specification

Here is the link to EDUQAS GCSE English Literature past papers:

GCSE English Literature Past Papers

You may wish to support your child by purchasing a revision guide for their independent study of EDUQAS GCSE English Literature:

Recommended Revision Guide

You may wish to support your child by purchasing some or all of the text guides associated with the study of EDUQAS GCSE English Literature at BHES:

‘An Inspector Calls’ by J B Priestley

‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens

‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare

Poetry Anthology (specific to Eduqas exam board)

Unseen Poetry

BBC bitesize is also a valuable resource for both language and literature.

 

Extra Curricular English Activities

The English department offer an enriching program of extra curricular activities for our students. Activities are open to both classes and one to one students. Please see below to give you an idea of the types of experiences available.

2024-25

  • Romeo and Juliet at The Old Vic (Year 11 students)
  • Author Visit on World Book Day (KS3 and KS4 students)
  • Poetry Live Day at Bristol Beacon (KS4 students)
  • The Little Mermaid at The Old Vic (KS3 and KS4 students)

2023-24

  • Poetry Live Day at Bristol Beacon (KS4 students)
  • Drama sessions with the Old Vic,  with the opportunity to perform on stage in front of an audience at Bristol Old Vic (KS3 and KS4 students)
  • Starter for Ten at Bristol Old Vic (Drama students)
  • Author Visit on World Book Day (KS3 and KS4 students)
  • Hamilton at the Hippodrome (KS4 students)

The link below is a review of Hamilton written by a BHES student who attended the trip. As you will see, it left quite an impression on her!

Hamilton Review