School A is an eight form entry mixed comprehensive school.

The Year 7 class is a mixed ability class with a large number of pupils who came into the school at Level 4. There are smaller numbers working at the top end of a Level 5.

The Year 10 class has a wide range of ability but all the pupils achieved Level 5 or above in their Key Stage 3 English tests.

School B is an eight form entry mixed comprehensive school.

The Year 9 class has twenty pupils but several did not wish to be filmed. The group is low ability with some SEN issues.

The Year 10 class has twenty five pupils. It is a middle to high ability group with predicted grades from A*-D for GCSE English.

School C is a nine form entry mixed comprehensive school.

The Year 9 class is mixed ability and has 30 pupils, 12 of whom are girls. Three pupils have EAL.

The Year 11 class is high ability and has 25 pupils, 15 of whom are girls. There are no pupils with SEN or who have EAL. The group is predicted to achieve A*-B grades for GCSE English.