KS4 Specification - WJEC
The English Department at West Kirby Grammar School consists of ten teachers, who are all subject specialists. At Key Stage 3, the curriculum provides students with four English lessons a week in order to effectively develop their key skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. They will read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, which may include popular choices such as ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘Wolf Hollow’ and ‘Blood Brothers’. Students will also study at least two Shakespeare plays. The topics and literature studied at Key Stage 3 ensure progression and schemes of work are carefully constructed to develop the necessary skills for Key Stage 4. As a core department, we provide two courses at GCSE: English Language and English Literature, which all students study. English Language and English Literature are also popular A-level courses. In addition, we offer Film Studies at A-level.
The department boasts excellent public examination results with 99% pass rate at GCSE including 83% of students achieving grades 9-6 in English Literature and 81% in English Language. At A-level, 100% of English Literature and English Language students passed with 71% in Literature and 95% in Language achieving top grades A *- B. In Film Studies, all students passed and an impressive 88% achieved A* - B.
We are proud of the opportunities we offer our students to enrich their learning including workshops with visiting authors, regular theatre visits, competitions such as Poetry by Heart and the competition for Wirral’s Young Poet Laureate. As well as holding an internal Spelling Bee competition for Year 7 pupils, we also compete in the Kid’s Lit Quiz.
Many extra-curricular activities are offered by the department, such as creative writing club, Harry Potter reading club and the Carnegie Medal awards. Sixth Form students have also had the sought after experience of meeting experts in their A-level subjects, such as celebrated linguist David Crystal.
examination results
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-7
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-6
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-4
What we’ve been up to…
It's been a busy day at #WKGS with our annual House Bake Off competition /#MacmillanCoffeeMorning event. Thanks everyone who baked/donated and also to those who bought cakes raising money for such a fantastic cause. Bake Off winners and total amount raised to be announced soon. https://t.co/gLZGs3GrZE
It's House Bake Off and World's Biggest Coffee Morning today! Thanks to everyone who has entered the competition and donated to this fantastic cause. Cakes have been on sale at break and will be again at lunch. More photos to follow! #WKGSCommunity #MacmillanCoffeeMorning https://t.co/nBsOLCTHHZ
#WKGSY7 Science Club this week making glitter slime! @WKGS_Science https://t.co/PKLErVNrPw
Year 10 GCSE Geography Fieldwork
Year 10 Geographers undertook a three-day fieldtrip initially in the Lake District at Ambleside. They looked at flood prevention techniques in Cockermouth and also woodland ecosystems. On day two they moved onto the top of the Pennines into County Durham to follow the course of the River Tees as far as Barnard Castle, including a visit to the High Force waterfall. The third day included human geography fieldwork in Grasmere and Keswick. They also had the opportunity to watch and learn some traditional South Asian Bhangra dances from the dancers and singers of Parkinson lane Primary School in Halifax!
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Students and staff have once again been baking to provide donations for the Macmillan Coffee Morning – supporting a very worthy cause with the added bonus of cake consumption!
We would like to thank artist (and former #WKGS student) Bronnie who visited this week. Bronnie not only performed for all year groups, but shared her experiences of mental health, body image, relationships and a number of other issues with our students. @BronnieMusic https://t.co/JXsiEM2FeF
Tomorrow will be your last chance to visit the Scolastic Book Fair in the Library. All payments for books on Scopay. All are welcome! #WKGS twitter.com/LibraryWkgs/st…
We would like to invite prospective students and their parents/carers to our Sixth Form Open Evening which will take place on Tuesday 15th November, 18:00-20:00. Please visit the link below to book your place... #WKGS #WKGS6thForm #OpenEvening #SixthForm wkgs.org/6th-form-open-… https://t.co/k4fOslYP0I
Self-Esteem speaker and singer/songwriter – Bronnie
A very exciting day for WKGS students when singer/song-writer and motivational speaker, Bronnie, visited the school. Along with performing many of her hits, the former student ran workshops with students in Years 7 -12, focussing on self-esteem. Topics covered during each 50 minute workshop included body image, confidence building, resilience and managing relationships. Students also had an opportunity for open discussion during each session.
https://t.co/PcHPQvJeSQ
At #WKGS we encourage all of our students to play a part in the extra-curricular life of the school and offer a range of clubs, societies and activities to all year groups. We are pleased to announce the schedule for our Autumn Term activities.. wkgs.org/files/uploads/… https://t.co/ABZMZnDzW0
Spend time with people who are good for your mental health. #Wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters https://t.co/7AmeTTagaK
We are really looking forward to next Friday 30th September when we will be hosting our annual McMillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning / House Bake Off competition. We invite students to get baking/donating to this great cause as well as competing for their house. #WKSGCommunity https://t.co/omEvxK9wT4
We would like to thank everyone who visited us this week for our Open Evening. Special thanks also to our amazing student tour guides and our staff for their efforts in sharing the amazing opportunities we offer at #WKGS Unable to attend? Please visit.. wkgs.org/open-evening-2… https://t.co/IcLIOMdxpb
Year 13 A-level Biology Ecology Trip
Year 13 Biologists travelled to Crowden in the Peak District National Park to undertake Moorland Ecology. The aim of the fieldwork was to collect data from two different hillsides, comparing the differing environments between the top and bottom of the slope and the effect this has on the variety of different species present.