English

The aims of the English Department are to develop; oral skills so that the pupils are confident participants and responsive listeners; fluency in a range of reading, both fiction and non-fiction; an enjoyment of literature - novels, short stories, poetry; ability to use the School Resource Centre and Information Technology facilities selectively to retrieve information through research; the ability to produce a range of types of writing, appropriate to purpose and audience.

Staff
Head of English:	Mr Gil Barrow BA
Teachers:	Mr David Pafford BMus PGCE
	Mr Lanion Hall BA HEd DIP
	Mr Tony Milligan BA PGCE
	Mr Nigel Siddall BA

The teaching of language skills - handwriting, grammar, spelling and punctuation - is an integral part of the curriculum. Curcial to our aims as a coherent purpose and method which ensure continuity between years and Key Stages and keep the teachers confident of their role in the process of progression and hence in their ability to communicate a series of basic skills and strategies to the children.

The National Curriculum is divided into three Attainment Targets:

AT1 - Speaking and Listening;

AT2 - Reading;

AT3 - Writing

There is a range of Levels of Achievement targeted at each Key Stage; we aim to help as many pupils as possible to achieve at least an overall level 4 in their KS2 exams (SATs) at the end of year 6. Years 7 and 8 are the first two years of a Key Stage 3 which finishes after the first year (year 9) in their next school. The classwork and exams are a conscious preparation for the kinds of writing and response required in the next Key Stages and the final year 8 exams are set and marked by the Upper School.

Events

We are lucky enough to welcome Malorie Blackman to the Pre at 2pm on Thursday 5 June 2008. The author of the outstanding Noughts and crosses series, and many others will be talking to the year 8 and selected year 7 classes about her life and work, followed by a book signing session. We have a limited number of places available for parents, so if you would like to attend the event, please contact Gil Barrow on GBarrow@clifton-college.avon.sch.uk. To find out more about Malorie’s work see www.malorieblackman.co.uk.