curriculum intent
The national curriculum for English intends to ensure that all students:
- Read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
- Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
- Use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
- Are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
The programmes of study are organised into literary concepts; students will study a range of texts linked to specific themes and ideas. Student’s skills and knowledge will build incrementally through each unit of work with a primary focus on reading, writing and speaking. Students will progress from reading for comprehension to reading analytically. They will learn to write in a range of styles for purpose, audience and form and they will develop necessary oracy skills.
In KS3 we deliver the Middle Years Programme alongside guidance from the National Curriculum, we provide our students with a diverse and culturally rich curriculum. Students will be taught the skills of language and literature in tandem, communicating their ideas through subject specific vocabulary with others in a learning environment that encourages both collaborative and independent thinking. Texts and topics have been specifically designed to raise learners’ aspirations and cultural capital, forging cross curricular links where appropriate and exploring Language and Literature in a global context.
Discussion and exploration of the key and related concepts will enable students to understand texts and ideas from varying perspectives, preparing them for GCSE study and beyond.
This approach is extended into key stage 4 with Literature and Language being taught in tandem. We offer a range of qualifications at key stage 4 and key stage 5 in order to ensure all students are able to access a qualification that will equip them with the skills necessary for their next steps. We offer functional skills for select students, English Literature GCSE and English Language GCSE at key stage 4. We offer A Level English Literature at key stage 5.
The main aim for functional skills is that the programme of study should enable the student to develop confidence and fluency in, and a positive attitude towards, English. Students should be able to demonstrate their competence in English by using it in real world situations as well as demonstrating a sound grasp of basic English knowledge and skills.
Aims of English Language
Ensure all students can:
- read fluently and write effectively
- demonstrate a confident control of Standard English
- write grammatically correct sentences, deploy figurative language and analyse texts
Courses based on this specification should enable students to:
- read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding
- read critically, and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing
- write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
- use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately
- acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
In addition, they must enable students to:
- listen to and understand spoken language, and use spoken Standard English effectively.
Aims of English Literature
Encourage students to:
- read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading
- read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas
- develop the habit of reading widely and often
- appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage
- write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English
- acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read.
topic overview
Module 1
Myths and legends
Module 2
Myths and legends
Module 3
Heritage: Julius Caesar
Module 4
Heritage: Julius Caesar
Module 5
Bone Sparrow
Module 6
Bone Sparrow
Module 1
Introduction to poetry
Module 2
Religion and literature: connecting faith with the person
Module 3
Introduction to the novel
Module 4
Kerb Stain Boys text study
Module 5
Heritage: The Tempest
Module 6
Heritage: The Tempest
Module 1
The gothic: The Island of Dr Moreau
Module 2
The gothic: The Island of Dr Moreau
Module 3
Heritage: Romeo and Juliet
Module 4
Heritage: Romeo and Juliet
Module 5
Liberty through literature
Module 6
Liberty through literature
Module 1
An Inspector Calls
Language paper 2, section B
Module 2
An Inspector Calls
WW1 poetry cluster
Language paper 2, section B
Module 3
Macbeth
Language paper 1, section A
Module 4
Macbeth
Power and authority poetry cluster
Language paper 1, section A/B
Module 5
Power and conflict poetry
Language paper 1, section B
Module 6
Power and conflict poetry
Spoken language
Module 1
Jekyll and Hyde revision
Literature paper 1, section B
Language paper 1, section A
Module 2
Macbeth revision
Literature paper 1, section A
Language paper 1, section B
Module 3
Power and conflict poetry revision
Literature paper 2, section B
Language paper 2, section A
Module 4
Revision of all texts
Revision of all language papers
Module 5
GCSE exams
Module 6
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