During the assessment weeks the English Department tests reading and extended writing.

Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 receive a reading test and a creative writing task.

In the Summer Term Years 3 - 6 do the NFER Tests in English.

The reading tests are straightforward and test comprehension skills.  Preparation for these tests will be done in class as part of our ongoing syllabus and through the child's own personal reading.

During the week the pupils will also be given a creative writing task.  Each year group is given a prompt sheet to help them plan the suggested idea.  This test lasts for 60 minutes.  The aim of the extended writing task is to check on the basics of English (spelling, grammar, punctuation) as well as looking at the way pupils plan, use their imagination and write in an entertaining style.  Preparation is done in class as part of our creative writing syllabus.

Year 7 do a reading and writing paper.  The reading paper is one comprehension passage.  The answers vary from short, one sentence responses to longer paragraph answers. The reading paper takes 1 hour.  The writing paper consists of a variety of titles from which the pupils select one.  They will have a chance to plan their writing.  The writing paper takes 1 hour. All preparation is undertaken in class, although once again we encourage the reading of novels throughout the term.

Year 8 do a reading and a writing paper based on the English Common Entrance papers in November. The reading paper is a non-fiction text and a poem both with several questions.  The reading paper is 1 hour and 10 minutes long.  The writing paper is a series of titles from which the pupil selects one. There is also a question based on the novel studied in class.  This takes the form of an essay on an aspect of the book, currently conflict. The writing paper takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In February Year 8 take their mock Common Entrance examinations and then in June they take Common Entrance.