Open each section to read the full curriculum outline for that key stage.
The Key Stage Three curriculum for English is organised thematically, with a focus on developing students’ understanding of themselves and the world they inhabit, alongside analytical and creative reading and writing skills.
In Year 7 the theme is ‘Storytelling’ and we begin with a short independent reading unit which teaches the skills for effective comprehension. Students move on the novel The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon which delves into themes of displacement, resilience, and hope through the eyes of a young refugee. Students then move on to our ‘Poetry and Paintings’ unit. Drawing on historical and contemporary artworks, this unit allows students to use visual art to develop their creative writing skills. This is followed by Shakespeare’s, Much Ado About Nothing. Through the universal themes of love, deception and gender, students will explore and analyse Shakespeare’s rich language and imagery. In the summer term, Year 7 students explore a range of ‘Myths and Legends’ from around the world, learning how to construct a myth of their own. The year ends with a non-fiction unit on ‘Biography’. Through the exploration of the lives of sport stars, historical heavyweights and everyday heroes, students will cultivate their own biographical writing style.
In Year 8 the theme is the ‘Wider World’. The students begin the year studying the novel Ghost Boys, a novel exploring racism and prejudice against young Black boys in America. This is followed by studying an adapted play version of Frankenstein. The play encourages students to consider the treatment of those othered and discriminated against. Both units will focus on developing students’ analytical writing skills. The next unit is ‘Women in Discourse’ and includes a wide range of texts including fiction and non-fiction, spanning from the 19th century to the present day. This unit encourages students to consider how women have been represented and how they are representing themselves. In the summer term students will study a range of ‘Poetry from Different Cultures’. The year ends with ‘Opinion Writing’ on current topics, such as climate change. Students learn how to debate and express a viewpoint.
In Year 9 the theme is ‘Power and Influence’. The units studied across the year are designed to develop the skills and knowledge students will need as they progress towards GCSE. The year begins with Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, through which students explore the impact of power, colonialism and conflict. This is followed by a study of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, allowing pupils to consider leadership, persuasion and ambition, while developing their understanding of Shakespearean language and dramatic structure. Students then complete a unit on Rhetoric and Speeches, where they examine how writers and speakers influence audiences. This unit builds on themes of power and authority and places a strong emphasis on persuasive techniques, rhetorical devices and writing for purpose and impact. The year concludes by looking toward the skills needed in Year 10. Students study Unseen Poetry, where they develop the skills required to respond thoughtfully to poems they have not previously encountered, focusing on language, structure and the communication of ideas. Alongside this, students complete a unit on Creative Writing , which encourages imagination, originality and deliberate crafting of style. Together, these units ensure students are confident analysts and creative writers as they move into their GCSE studies
GCSE English Language
GCSE English Language develops students’ abilities to read, understand and respond to different types of texts. Students are taught explorations in creative reading and writing as well as writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. In reading, students are required to identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas as well as explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views. In writing, students need to communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms.
Key Points: Two examination papers; all texts will be unseen; texts will be from a range of genres and from the 20th and 21st centuries; more emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar in the writing tasks; Speaking and Listening will be assessed through endorsement; it does not contribute to the final level achieved.
GCSE English Literature
GCSE English Literature develops students’ abilities to read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading. Students are required to read critically, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas. They must be able to analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate. They will be assessed on their ability to write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading. They must use Standard English and a wide vocabulary, including grammatical terminology, and literary and linguistic terms.
Key Points:
Two examination papers – both closed book; Texts will include: A 19th Century novel; A Shakespeare play; A cluster of poetry since 1789 (taken from the AQA anthology); British fiction or drama from 1914 onwards and Unseen Poetry.
Subject Leader: Mrs Wynn
English language is an exciting subject filled with lively debate and discussion. In a world where we are surrounded by language, you will be taught how to think analytically, challenge assumptions and develop communication skills. The A Level contains three components: Language, the Individual and Society, Language Diversity and Change and Lan- guage in Action. The course provides students with opportunities to explore a wide range of texts, considering how language is influenced by gender, ethnicity, region, occupation, age and context. Students will look at language that is written, spoken and produced for electronic media. They will develop understanding of how writers construct their identity through text production and how they seek to influence their audience through language choice. Students will discover how language has changed over time, including teen-speak and consider the various attitudes to these variations and changes.
The Edexcel English Literature A Level focuses on three key componenwith an additional 20% coursework element. The course allows students to build on the understanding and appreciation of literary texts gained at GCSE level. Students will have the opportunity to respond to texts of different periods and genres exploring the connections between them and the different contexts they were produced in.
Year 12 begins with a range of modern poetry, comparing two novels and studying a modern play. Year 13 builds on this with the study of older poetry and a Shakespeare play. Students also learn how to evaluate secondary critical material in order to shape and build their own arguments about texts.