English

Why study English?

The English curriculum builds essential knowledge and skills to equip pupils to serve the wider world so that they can express themselves fluently and creatively and essentially become effective communicators and confident writers. Through reading in particular, pupils engage with the world around them developing them culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually creating love for reading and words. Literature, especially, plays a key role in this development.

There are three guiding elements which are brought to life in the English curriculum:

Educational excellence: English teachers combine language and literature enabling pupils to read as writers and write as readers. No opportunity is lost for celebrating the joys of reading and finding out how language works.

Character development: English teachers use reading to give pupils a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. They engender an appreciation of the aesthetic, experiential, emotional and knowledge-giving aspects of reading. They promote reading for pleasure and help to develop strong reading habits. They encourage pupils to debate different readings.

Service to communities: English teachers provide pupils with great written and spoken texts, such as famous speeches as a matter of social justice. This is to create awareness of society, explore responsibilities and empower pupils to champion and improve society.

How will I study English?

Pupils will:

• learn to read and understand familiar and unfamiliar texts actively, fluently and with good understanding whilst developing their skills in inference analysis, comparison and evaluation
• are supported to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information, engaging with increasingly challenging texts
• learn and make use of a wide vocabulary (including subject vocabulary) in speech and writing to express nuances of understanding
• develop accuracy in spelling and broaden their etymological understanding
• use punctuation to clarify meaning
• use grammatical structures appropriately
• are introduced to and taught about a rich and diverse literary heritage that spans time, cultures and societies enabling links to be made between texts, and fostering their understanding of others’ lives
• learn to write imaginatively, clearly, accurately and coherently for different purposes and audiences, developing their skills in planning, drafting and self-editing to create effective texts
• use discussion in order to learn and contribute to others’ learning; developing, extending elaborating and explaining clearly their understanding and ideas and reflecting on learning
• learn to speak confidently and coherently in Standard English in class and group discussions and use the spoken word as a foundation for writing, understanding the differences between their idiolect and formal and/or Standard English
• learn how to listen actively and for purpose, adapting and integrating ideas with their own understanding and offering critical challenge to others

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

In year 7, pupils increase their literary knowledge by using high quality literature to read analytically, respond to themes about horror, growing up, relationships, environment, personally and through authorial craft. Pupils develop their horror and mystery genre writing inspired and modelled by literature. Pupils build on speaking styles in a range of contexts.
Texts and topics covered in year 7:

• 19th Century horror short story: The Red Room
• Pre 1914 and modern poetry: Identity
• Oliver Twist
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
• Contemporary novel: Face by Benjamin Zephaniah
• Non-Fiction: Environmental Campaign and Marketing

In year 8, pupils develop understanding of ambitious literature exploring debates and authorial intentions on ideas about wealth and power, identity, social issues, and tragedy. Pupils increase their creativity in writing and speaking through engagement.

Texts and topics covered in year 8:

• Seminal World Novel: The Pearl
• The Tempest by William Shakespeare
• Animal Farm
• Poetry: Romanticism
• The Invisible Man
• Short stories- Establishing narrative perspectives/ Non- Fiction: Conveying a point of view

In year 9, pupils explore and understand challenging literature on crime and mystery, comedy, education, and human rights by examining the writer’s intentions. They develop knowledge of crime writing and news reporting through conscious crafting and build on effective public speaking.
Texts and topics covered in year 9:

• 19th century crime and mystery short story: Sherlock Holmes
• Unseen poetry: Character and Voice
• Shakespeare play: Julius Caesar
• Knowledge viewpoints: Writer’s viewpoints and perspectives

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, 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 craft writing.

Assessment

Internal assessments take place task place at regular intervals throughout both KS3 and KS4. Broadly, there are two types of assessment: fluency composite tasks and a composite test.

Composite fluency tasks are completed at the end of a topic and are used to check whether students are reaching curriculum related expectations.

Composite tests are used to assess the cumulative coverage of the curriculum and check whether learning is sticking over time and if students are reaching curriculum related expectations.

External Examinations

English Language
Examination Board: AQA

English Literature
Examination Board: AQA 

Enrichment

The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Visits include a visit to the theatre to enhance appreciation of stagecraft. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions such as 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. 

Useful resources and revision support

• AQA English Language (8700)
• AQA English Literature (8702)
• BBC Bitesize English Language
• BBC Bitesize English Literature
• Shakespeare ‘Unlocked’
• ‘No Fear’ Shakespeare
• Sparknotes
• York Notes
• Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com)
• All subjects by key stage – Oak National Academy (thenational.academy)