S3 English Report Comments (Scotland)

English covers listening and talking (discussion, presentations, judging spoken and media texts), reading (reading strategies, finding information, and analysing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama and Scottish texts) and writing for different purposes, with spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Below are 13 sample sentences for S3: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Secure / Consolidating / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 288 English sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Secure · Consolidating · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Secure S

Strengths

In formal discussion and debate, [Name] challenges ideas thoughtfully, expands on others' contributions and adapts [his/her/their] view when the evidence calls for it.
[Name] analyses how writers present characters and settings and evaluates how effectively these choices shape the reader's response.

Next steps:

Planning timed critical essays on unseen questions, with a clear line of argument set out in the introduction, would prepare [Name] for the demands of the senior phase.

Consolidating C

Strengths

In more formal discussions and debates, [Name] can respond calmly when challenged and often clarifies or expands on [his/her/their] own points with evidence.
[Name] has a sound grasp of character and setting in the texts studied and can explain how they are presented with reference to the text.

Next steps:

Practising summary questions by putting a writer's main ideas into [his/her/their] own words within a word limit will sharpen [Name]'s close reading.

Developing D

Strengths

During longer discussions and debates, [Name] sometimes builds on another speaker's point and is learning to back up [his/her/their] views with evidence.
[Name] describes the main characters and setting of a text studied and is gaining skill in explaining how the writer presents them.

Next steps:

Before each discursive essay, [Name] should sort research notes into two columns, for and against, so each paragraph has evidence to use.

Beginning B

Strengths

In longer class discussions about a text or issue, [Name] is starting to respond to others' points and, with a little help, can agree or disagree with a reason.
[Name] can name the main characters in a text studied and, with support, describe each one using a word from the text.

Next steps:

Listing two points for and two points against an issue, with a partner, will help [Name] take first steps in discursive writing.

Support at home

Sharing Scots words, sayings, songs or stories that you know or hear locally helps your child connect the Scots language studied in class with everyday life.

How to write English comments for S3

In S3, separate close reading of unfamiliar passages from critical writing on class texts. A pupil may write well about a studied novel yet find unseen passages harder, so say where the strength lies and target the other.
Make analysis targets precise: embedding short quotations, explaining the effect of word choice or sentence structure, or evaluating how well a technique works. 'Analyse more deeply' gives an S3 pupil nothing to act on.
Mention independent research and extended writing where relevant, such as a discursive essay that weighs up both sides. A next step like acknowledging every source or planning the argument before writing is clear and measurable.

Watch out: Avoid reducing the comment to spelling and punctuation. Pair any accuracy target with a reading, writing or talking strength, such as how the pupil builds atmosphere in a story or backs up a point with evidence.

The four levels describe how secure, accurate and independent the learning is in what has been taught, never a CfE level. Secure suits detailed, accurate work applied to unfamiliar tasks; Consolidating suits a sound grasp with occasional guidance; Developing suits sometimes, or with a model or worked example; Beginning names what is starting to show and the support that helps. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.

What English covers

In these comments, English covers these behaviours:

listening and talking: discussion, presentations, listening for information and judging the reliability of spoken texts
reading: uses reading strategies, finds and uses information, and understands, analyses and evaluates fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama, including Scottish texts
writing: creates and organises texts for different purposes and audiences, including imaginative, personal, persuasive, discursive and critical writing
tools for writing: spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary and sentence variety
explains a writer's techniques with evidence from the text

More Scottish secondary subjects comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.