Argument and Persuasion – students develop persuasive writing techniques.

Poetry – students explore Benjamin Zephania's poetry focusing on skills for GCSE.

Prose – A novel selected by the teacher and a "wider reading" unit in preparation for GCSE.

Shakespeare – "The Tempest" or "Romeo and Juliet".

Media – Students invstigate the representation of youth in the Media.

During Year 9, students  prepare for the different kinds of research they will be expected to do in their GCSE course.  A variety of tasks are set for homework, linked to the four main areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening.  Typically these might be: writing an essay based upon a Shakespeare play; reading around a topic for research and writing it up; creative and critical writing based on literature.

PARENTS / CARERS, HOW CAN YOU HELP? 

Parents can help by encouraging students in all areas of independent study e.g. reading widely and tackling more challenging texts is important preparation for students as they prepare for the GCSE course.

Help your child to listen to Radio, particularly Radio 4, as well as current affairs TV programmes such as, ‘Have I got news for you’? which are a good way to get your child to develop their understanding of the world.

Enjoy watching quality films with your child to help develop their understanding of this media genre.