English at Ket Stage 3

[LotsToThinkOf]

I’m an experienced teacher but I’ve not taught key stage 3 for about 4 years. I’m in the process of applying for jobs in secondary schools and although my GCSE knowledge is very good I’m finding that I’m lacking at key stage 3 and this with hinder me at interviews (if I get that far of course).

Is there set assessment criteria for key stage 3 now? Something central to refer to like the NLS, levels, AFs from previous years? How exactly do schools assess as key stage 3? Once I’ve cracked this I think I’ll come over as more competent at interview, googling is just confusing me. I also link my planning to assessment criteria, to do this at interview I need to know what to link it to. The most I can assume is that schools create their own from the gcse spec they cover, is this correct?

I’m not currently teaching and have no friends who teach English, so I’m totally stuck. If someone could give me a few pointers I’d be very grateful.

TIA

Yep schools make it up as they go along.

I have started teaching KS3 English after a long break of around a decade. These days KS3 seems much more focused on GCSE, which might be good news for you! Back in the days when there were compulsory KS3 tests, there were KS3 levels with set criteria for each skill. Now, this isn’t the case so schools make their own system. I’ve done long term supply in a few schools so have seen a few different systems. One school simply starts GCSE grades from the start of secondary with + and - options. So a Year 7 student might be targeted a 1+ by the end of the year. Another school uses a ‘pathway’ system to indicate not where the student is now, but where they are heading for based on their current performance. So pathway 4, for example.
Because the grades are GCSE focused, assessment criteria for internal KS3 tests tend to be lifted straight from GCSE marking schemes. One school wanted me to be teaching Year 8 that we were preparing for GCSE English Lang Paper 2 Q2 or whatever, which strikes me as bonkers, but it gives an indication of how GCSE focused KS3 has become.
Also bear in mind that a lot of schools now start delivering the GCSE curriculum at the start of Year 9 (including the teaching of set lit texts) so in those cases KS3 has been reduced to Y7 and Y8 with Y9 being absorbed into KS4.

Thank you so much for your response, you've been very helpful . That does actually sound like good news for me, I'm fine with GCSE and I'm an exam marker so I'm much more confident with that.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you find going back into teaching after a decade? Did you find it hard? I'm applying for jobs after a 5 year break and I'm not sure how potential employers will view me. I'm also concerned about how I'll fit back in, I feel like so much has changed that I won't find my way.

I think it's just nerves, but it's always good to hear other's experiences. I've met plenty of people who have left the profession but none who have actually gone back! Although that doesn't surprise me.

To be honest nobody has turned a hair regarding the break. I’ve been teaching a lot through that decade but not in the same discipline (think short courses for young adults) so maybe that helps, or maybe trained and experienced teachers are increasingly hard to come by. As for me, the greatest challenge is getting my head around the new GCSEs, so you’re miles ahead of me on that!
I know what you mean about leaving then returning BUT I didn’t exactly leave . . . Spent a few years having kids and working flexibly around them, so a decision based on family circumstances rather than a proper opt-out.
Very best of luck in interview.