English

Curriculum Intent

The English curriculum is based around reading. It is a generally accepted fact that readers make better writers and both the national curriculum and the GCSE English Language exam are based on the premise of ‘through reading to writing’.

The study of English opens the door to a treasure trove of creativity and self-expression. It allows scholars access to great literature and helps them become more discerning readers of both fiction and non-fiction texts.

Our curriculum is cumulative and integrated. All of the content is connected so that scholars form a firm foundation of literary and linguistic knowledge that enables them to read and write accurately, effectively and critically.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

The curriculum is divided into themed units based on Monsters and Myths, Crime, and Magic. Each unit contains a fiction text, starting with “A Monster Calls” before studying the increasingly challenging texts “Oliver Twist” and Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Within each unit scholars read a range of non-fiction texts and poetry and develop their inference skills. The writing focus includes creating description, articles and letters. Rhetorical skills are introduced with a focus on informal discussion.

Year 8

In Year 8 scholars continue with the three units Dystopia, Mystery and Love, with a broad focus on the study of writer’s methods.  “The Giver”, “The Hound of The Baskervilles” and “Romeo and Juliet” are studied, as well as thematically linked poetry and non-fiction texts. Scholars write stories and letters, with a focus on structure and formality. Their rhetorical skills are further developed with a focus on formal debates.

Year 9

During Year 9 scholars study units entitled Ghost Stories, Extra-terrestrials and Jealousy which contain the fiction texts “A Long Way Down”, “War of The Worlds” and Shakespeare’s “Othello”. Scholars are encouraged to develop a more evaluative approach to their analysis of these texts. Non-fiction texts are studied in more detail, with a focus on writer’s perspectives. Writing includes narrative, script writing, non-fiction and transformation. In year 9, Scholars study persuasive speeches to refine their use of rhetorical devices.

Useful Links

KS3 BBC Bitesize A catalogue of Accelerated Reader Books Useful Reference

Key Stage 4

At KS4, scholars study two separate GCSEs in English Literature and English Language.

GCSE English Language (Exam Board: AQA)

Scholars will study separate GCSEs in English Language and Literature. Scholars will draw upon a range of texts as reading stimulus (Non-fiction and Fiction from the 19th, 20th and 21st Century) and engage with creative as well as real and relevant contexts for writing. Scholars will have opportunities to develop higher-order reading and critical thinking skills.

In GCSE English Language, scholars work towards 100% terminal examinations. This is comprised of two papers:

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (50%)
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (50%)

Useful Links

AQA English Language BBC Bitesize English Language

GCSE English Literature (Exam Board: AQA)

During the study of English Literature, scholars are also assessed with 100% terminal exams. The papers scholars sit are:

• Paper 1: Shakespeare and 19^th Century Novel (40%)

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  Paper 2: 20th-century Prose or Drama, Poetry Anthology and Unseen Poetry (60%)

  Scholars study Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, Blood Brothers and the Power and Conflict cluster from the AQA Anthology.

Useful Links

Project Gutenberg BBC Bitesize English Language

Year 10

Throughout Year 10, scholars are introduced to the study of both GCSE English Literature and English Language.

Term 1

• In the first term, scholars study A Christmas Carol, a 19^th century novella that explores the impact of social injustice in society, whilst using the text to explore the skills and questions from the reading section of English Language Paper 1.
• Secondly, scholars begin the study of the Worlds and Lives poems (Thirteen, England in 1819, Name Journeys, Pot and A Century Later.
• Finally, scholars study creative writing and explore the skills used in the writing section of English Language Paper 1.

Term 2

• In the second term, scholars begin by studying Blood Brothers. It is a 20th century musical that explores the characters to reflect the experiences of people from different social-class backgrounds.
• Following this, scholars begin their study of English Language Paper 2 by focussing on both the reading and writing section of the exam.
• Finally, scholars study five more of Worlds and Lives poems (Lines Written in Early Spring, Earth Shall No More Inspire Thee, With Birds You’re Never Lonely and Like an Heiress and In a London Drawing Room).

Term 3

• In the third term of the academic year, scholars study Macbeth, a Shakespeare text that explores the consequences of ambition.
• Following this, scholars revise what they have learned throughout the academic year in English Language Paper 1 and 2 ahead of their summer mock exams.
• At the end of this term, scholars explore the final five poems of the Worlds and Lives poems (A Portable Paradise, The Jewellery Maker, Homing, A Wider View and On and Afternoon Train from Purley to Victoria, 1955).

Year 11

• In the first term of Year 11, scholars predominately revise Macbeth, A Christmas Carol and both English Language papers.
• In the second term, scholars revise Blood Brothers, Power and Conflict poetry and Unseen Poetry.
• In the third term, Year 11 spend the remainder of their time focussing on exam preparation and skills.