KS3 English Report Comments (Years 7-9)

English covers reading and responding to fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama, analysing how writers use language, structure and form, writing for different purposes and audiences, accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar, and spoken English in discussion and presentations.

Below are 13 sample sentences for KS3 (Years 7-9): two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Excellent / Good / Developing / Needs support), 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: Excellent · Good · Developing · Needs support · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

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

Excellent E

Strengths

In units on pre-1914 literature, [Name] draws on the historical background taught in class to explain characters' choices with real insight.
[Name] uses ambitious vocabulary with precision and varies sentence length and structure deliberately for effect.

Next step

To stretch [his/her/their] writing, [Name] should draft a short story for a school or national competition and redraft it after feedback.

Good G

Strengths

[Name] has a sound grasp of the background to the pre-1914 texts studied in class and can link it to the way characters behave.
[Name] makes generally precise and varied vocabulary choices and uses a sound range of punctuation, including commas to separate clauses.

Next step

To deepen reading, [Name] could keep a reading log with a short reflection on how the writer creates character in each book.

Developing D

Strengths

[Name] can notice similarities between two poems on the same theme and, with a comparison grid, is starting to explain differences.
The basics of punctuation are in place for [Name], who uses full stops and capital letters accurately and is working on commas.

Next step

A next step is to read one chapter of a library book each evening and retell the key events to someone at home.

Needs support N

Strengths

When the teacher reads the class text aloud, [Name] follows closely and is starting to ask questions about when and where it is set.
Capital letters and full stops are appearing more often in [Name]'s sentences, and a checklist helps [him/her/them] review [his/her/their] work.

Next step

Using the point and evidence sentence starters on the classroom wall, [Name] should build one clear paragraph about a text each week.

Support at home

Talking about a news story at the dinner table and asking your child which side they find more convincing builds argument skills.

How to write English comments for KS3 (Years 7-9)

Name the text type and reading skill together, such as selecting a quotation to show how a poet creates mood or explaining a character's motive in the class novel, so families see what the student can do with a text.
For writing in Years 7 to 9, pick one craft feature the student controls in their own pieces, such as varied sentence openings, paragraphing for effect or punctuated dialogue, and one feature to practise next.
Spoken English is easy to overlook. If you heard the student build on a classmate's point in discussion or give a short talk, cite it, and suggest a small step such as speaking from notes rather than a script.

Watch out: Avoid reducing the comment to spelling and punctuation. Pair any accuracy target with a reading or writing strength, such as how the student builds tension in a narrative or supports an argument with evidence.

The four levels describe how secure, accurate and independent the learning is, never a grade. Excellent suits precise, perceptive work that applies ideas to unfamiliar contexts; Good suits usually accurate with occasional guidance; Developing suits sometimes, or with a worked example; Needs support names what is emerging and the help that works. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.

What English covers

In these comments, English covers these behaviours:

reads and responds to a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama, including Shakespeare and pre-1914 literature
analyses how writers use language, structure and form, and supports ideas with well-chosen evidence and context
writes accurately and effectively for different purposes and audiences, including narrative, descriptive and persuasive writing
uses vocabulary, grammar, spelling and punctuation accurately
speaks clearly and listens carefully in discussion, debate and presentations

More UK secondary subjects comments

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