English

At FreshSteps, English education is focused on fostering equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment where all pupils are encouraged to become independent thinkers and express their ideas confidently. We emphasize the three main components of English: speaking and listening, reading, and writing, which are taught both independently and interactively.

Our goal is to provide a collaborative, stimulating learning environment through interactive lessons and a variety of enrichment activities, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their learning both individually and as part of a team.

Pupils are exposed to a broad and balanced curriculum, with access to a wide range of texts and experiences that align with the expectations of the National Curriculum.

Curriculum Expectations:

Students are expected to:

• Communicate effectively through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Express themselves creatively and imaginatively.
• Become critical readers of a variety of texts.
• Use reading as a tool to develop their writing skills.
• Understand the patterns, structures, and conventions of written and spoken English.
• Recognize how language variations relate to identity and cultural diversity.
• Adapt speech and writing to suit different audiences and situations.

Response to Covid-19:

Due to the impact of Covid-19 on learning, FreshSteps implemented a range of interventions to help students recover lost learning time and ensure progress in English. These included:

• Easter university programs.
• Strike day catch-up sessions, especially for KS4 and KS5 pupils.
• Intensive revision sessions in English.
• Incorporating the AQA Unit Awards Scheme (UAS) in English.

AQA Unit Awards:

The AQA Unit Awards Scheme is tailored to meet the needs of SEN pupils and aligns closely with our English curriculum. It offers quick rewards for completed work, incentivizing students to stay engaged and complete tasks. This scheme supports the development of key skills and prepares pupils for GCSE success, especially for those requiring additional support.

Through the AQA Unit Awards, FreshSteps empowers students to build upon essential skills and knowledge as they work towards achieving their GCSE English qualifications, making academic success a more attainable goal for all pupils.