Curriculum

ENGLISH

Why study English?

The study of English builds essential knowledge to equip individuals to serve the wider world so that they can express themselves fluently and creatively and essentially become effective communicators and confident writers. Studying English helps individuals make sense of who they are by engaging with the world around them developing them culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. It enhances an appreciation of other perspectives, opening new experiences. Reading, spoken language and writing are the cornerstones of success and we aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge to read critically, confidently and for pleasure; to be articulate in their spoken language; and to write effectively with style and accuracy for a wide range of purposes and audiences.

How will I study English?

Pupils will study English Language and English Literature to encourage understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literature. There is a blend of modern, pre-twentieth Century prose, poetry, drama and a variety of British fiction and non-fiction ranging from classics to more modern texts to allow pupils to engage with complex and sophisticated ideas. Pupils will read, reflect and critique constructing their own ideas and gain versatility in their own writing.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

In Year 7, pupils respond to themes about the challenges of growing up, relationships and the wider world, both personally and through authorial craft. We begin this with high quality literature and build on speaking styles in a range of contexts which respond to the theme of ‘Our Language Journey’. They also explore the genre of ‘challenges of growing up’ by focussing on the protagonist in Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’ to broaden their ideas about journeys. They investigate relationships between ‘parents and children’ in early origins of poetry to contemporary and explore a wide range of perspectives which underpin the theme of ’relationships’ to develop personal ideas. They are also introduced to the works of Shakespeare through ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in continuity with the over-arching theme of ‘journeys and relationships’. They consolidate their disciplinary and substantive knowledge developed throughout the year through a social media awareness which allows them to widen theirperspective on current issues.

In Year 8, students develop an understanding on how to explore language by means of debates and authorial intentions on ideas about and authorial intentions on ideas about power, identity, social issues and breaking barriers. They begin with ‘language change’ over time through the lens of fiction and non-fiction texts as we explore aspects of language through a narrative structure. They build on their understanding of ambitious literature studying a modern novel ’Where the River Runs Gold’ in which they explore debates and authorial intentions about the dystopian genre and climate change. Their perspective on journeys is refined through a range of pre 1914 and contemporary poetry. They will explore Shakespeare’s genre of comedy by investigating characterisation of the protagonists, social issues around identityand distinctive features of theatre and production through ‘The Tempest’. They will access a range of non-fiction to increase creativity in writing and speaking through engagement with social issues by looking at ‘travel in Britain (then and now)’.

In Year 9, pupils deepen their critical interpretation of ‘journeys’ through diverse experiences in their language and literature studies that focus on relationships, identity, exploitation, and human rights by examining the writer’s intentions. They will develop knowledge of rhetoric, speech writing, documentary writing and news reporting through conscious crafting and building on effective public speaking. They will analyse key concepts surrounding the wider world through a modern, seminal novel ‘Djinn Patrol – On the Purple Line’ and consolidate their knowledge on identity and social/cultural issues. This will build onto their understanding of ‘Diverse Voices’ through seminal poetry in which they will examine the writer’s craft and give them an opportunity to further enhance their skills on rhetoric through non-fiction transactional writing around human rights. They will delve into Shakespeare’s genre of tragedy by critically exploring the presentation of ambition and the supernatural; pupils will be introduced to features of tragedy, familiarising them with archetypes, villains and deceptions

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

During Year 10 and 11, pupils will study a range of literary fiction and literary non-fiction texts for GCSE Language and GCSE Literature. They will use critical material to enhance interpretation and articulate personal ideas clearly and cleverly. Pupils will study the set texts for the literature exam; Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, AQA Poetry anthology of Power and Conflict and An Inspector Calls.

In addition, they will practise unseen analysis of a range of 19th, 20th and 21st century texts both fiction and non-fiction for GCSE Language and unseen poetry analysis for GCSE Literature. They will examine devices to manipulate writing and craft ideas.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Our Language Journey: Through the Lens of Fiction 19th Century Text: ‘Oliver Twist’ Short Stories: ‘Relationships – Children, Parents and Friends’ Introduction to Poetry Forms Through the Lens of ‘Family Relationships’ Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Non-Fiction Reading and Writing Unit: To Tick Tok or To Tick Not (social media focus)	Language Change Over Time Modern Novel: ‘Where the River Runs Gold’ Drama: ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Night-time’ Pre 1914 and Modern Poetry: ‘Journeys’ Shakespeare: ‘The Tempest Non-Fiction Reading and Writing Unit: Travel and Adventure in Britain – Now & Then	The Art of Rhetoric and Persuasion Seminal Novel: Djinn Patrol – On the Purple Line 19th Century and Modern Short Stories: ‘Lived Experiences’ Seminal Poetry Anthology: ‘Diverse Voices’ Non-Fiction Reading and Writing Unit: Convincing Arguments on Human Rights GCSE Transition Unit: Macbeth

Year 10	Year 11
GCSE Shakespeare: Macbeth GCSE 19th Century text: A Christmas Carol GCSE Poetry: Power and Conflict Poetry GCSE Modern text: An Inspector Calls GCSE Unseen Poetry GCSE Language Paper 1 GCSE Language Paper Spoken Language	GCSE Literature Revision and Essay skills GCSE Shakespeare: Macbeth GCSE 19th Century text: A Christmas Carol GCSE Poetry: Power and Conflict Poetry GCSE Modern text: An Inspector Calls GCSE Unseen Poetry GCSE Language Paper 1 skills GCSE Language Paper 2 skills

Assessment at Key Stage 3

Internal assessments take place every half-term.

Assessment at Key Stage 4

GCSE English Language AQA 8700
GCSE English Language Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing

Overview	Focus
Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes) 80 marks 50% of GCSE	Section A: Reading literature fiction text Section B: Descriptive or narrative writing

GCSE English Language Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives

Overview	Focus
Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes) 80 marks 50% of GCSE	Section A: Reading one non-fiction and one literary non-fiction text Section B: Writing to present a viewpoint

NEA: Spoken Language

Overview	Focus
Teacher sets throughout course Marked by teacher Separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)	Presenting Responding to questions and feedback Use of Standard English

GCSE English Literature AQA 8702

GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel

Overview	Focus
Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes) 64 marks 40% of GCSE	Section A: Shakespeare: Macbeth Section B: The 19th Century Novel: A Christmas Carol

GCSE English Literature Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

Overview	Focus
Written exam (2 hours 15 minutes) 96 marks 60% of GCSE	Section A: Modern text: drama; An Inspector Calls Section B: Poetry: Power and conflict anthology Section C: Unseen poetry

KS4 Exam Board Specifications: AQA GCSE English Language (8700) and AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)

Enrichment

The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Visits include a local library tour to foster a love for words and visitsto the theatre to enhance appreciation of stagecraft.. We also welcome publishers and authors to the school to run workshops. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions such as ‘Young Writers’ and performing Shakespeare to increase engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. This includes spoken word poetry performances, dramatic readings, and film clubs.

Careers

The study of English can lead to a range of career options, opening doors in publishing and advertising, journalism, education, and legal fields. Careers can range from reporter, solicitor, teacher, and content editor.