Intent
Incorporating knowledge and skills from A-level, our English curriculum is designed to take pupils on a thematic journey from Year 7 to Year 11 – giving them a fascinating insight into human nature through a breadth of different literature.
Implementation
The texts we study look at questions such as how the individual interacts with society, and how writers from different cultures, time periods, genders and economic backgrounds have shown great courage and determination by critiquing the injustice of society, exposing the truth, and effecting change.
The curriculum also seeks to build confident writers and readers, who in turn can use their own liberated voice to make an exciting contribution to the world.
GCSE
GCSE English Language
In English Language, pupils will study non-fiction texts from the 19th to 21st century including travel writing, diary entries and quality journalism. Pupils are taught how to write in a variety of forms such as narrative descriptions and argumentative essays. As part of the Spoken language component, they will develop presentation and discussion skills.
GCSE English Literature
In English literature, pupils analyse a range of fiction texts including Shakespeare’s Macbeth, J.B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as well as the ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster from the Anthology of poems.
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | |
Year 10 | Modern Text: An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestley AQA English Language Paper 1 | 19c text: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens AQA English Language Paper 2 | Anthology Poetry: Power and Conflict AQA English Language Paper 1-2 |
Year 11 | Shakespeare: Macbeth AQA English Language Paper 2 | 19c text A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens AQA English Language Paper 1 | Revisit Anthology Poetry/ An Inspector Calls GCSE Writing Paper 1-2 Question 5 |
Pupils will learn by:
- taking part in exploratory activities designed to develop confidence in reading and writing
- being involved in group discussions, arguments and debates to develop critical opinions regarding literature
- building confidence in reading skills by encountering a range of non-fiction texts across three centuries
- having the opportunity to read and enjoy literature from a range of times and genres
- encouraging personal responses to literature through analysing unseen texts
- developing a precise and accurate writing style through practising technical aspects of written and spoken expression
AQA GCSE English Language and Literature – use the links below for more details:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702
KS3 (Year 7 – Year 9)
What we learn in KS3 English
Key Stage 3 follows the National Curriculum and is taught in mixed ability groups over 8 hours per fortnight (including a library-reading lesson). The long-term plans echo an ambitious three-year ‘knowledge-led’ curriculum with the intent to offer an enriching experience, exposing pupils to a wide range of reading including embedded non-fiction and poetry. Conceptual links build progressively challenging concepts, knowledge, and skills sequentially between units with regular retrieval practice year on year to show how knowledge is reinforced in the long-term memory.
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | |
Year 7 | Mythology | Animal Farm by George Orwell | Poetry |
Year 8 | Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | The Gothic | Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare |
Year 9 | Dystopian Literature | Othello by Shakespeare | Unseen literature |
Supporting your Child with English
- Retrieval practice
- Cornell notes
- Flashcards/ mind maps/ timelines
- Essay planning and practice paragraphs
- Wider reading
- Google Classroom access to lessons and resources
- Revision guides/ online education videos and websites
Enrichment
All pupils have the opportunity to take part in cultural and enrichment trips. These include, visiting Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Museum of London; taking part in Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Workshop and Challenge and Young City Poets; University Writing competitions and visits to post-16 taster days and workshops.
Equality and Diversity in English
Our text choices reflect the context of our students showing careful thought to the pupils in relation to spiritual, moral, social, cultural, and global values.
Where could English take you next?
We believe our five-year curriculum journey will foster a love for the subject and motivate pupils to continue to study the subject at post-16, as well as prepare them with the transferable skills required to be successful in a global world. Pupils have access to a diverse range of professional fields, including teaching, journalism, law, publishing, medicine, the fine arts, tech companies, copywriters, social workers, entrepreneurs or filmmakers.