Course Overview: English
Our aim is to develop students who are life-long readers, who read for pleasure and enjoyment, and are able access a range of texts; different genres, non-fiction and fiction and various different forms. We also aim to develop students’ reading habits to ensure they are adaptable readers for the twenty-first century, whilst reading for meaning and developing the reading strategies needed to optimise text understanding and analysis. We also endeavour to aid students to creatively use language to express their thoughts and feelings through a range of written forms - both non-fiction and fiction and to understand the importance of written language and how it can be manipulated and adapted to convey different meanings.
At the heart of our curriculum is a focus on developing vital literacy skills; ensuring students understand how to use punctuation correctly and know how to spell commonplace words. At the start of each academic year, students will complete a baseline literacy assessment. This assesses students’ key skills and enables staff to personalise their teaching to suit the needs of the students. These skills are reviewed at different points in the academic year, with prompt interventions taking place where necessary.
Students are given a range of feedback and have time to act upon this feedback and respond to the targets given. This will allow students to develop their reading responses further and to "close the gap" in their achievements and learning. There is also a focus on planning written responses, the development of writing and the importance of re-drafting.
Whilst having a clear focus on being engaging and exciting for students, the KS3 English curriculum also has a strong focus on developing the foundations for GCSE study.
Year 7
Half Term 1
Gothic Horror
KAP Baseline: Description of a Mysterious Setting.
FAP Reading: comprehension tasks linked to the genre.
Unseen poem: ‘Hurricane’ – James Berry
Half Term 2
Author Study: Charles Dickens
KAP Reading: Essay about character/ setting/ theme.
FAP Writing: An informal letter from Scrooge to the Cratchits.
Unseen poem:
‘A Christmas Carol’ – Christina Rossetti
Half Term 3
Original Writing
KAP Writing: A piece of original writing (descriptive/narrative) based on an image.
FAP Reading: Extracts linked to the writing KAP.
Half Term 4
Novel – The Spook’s Apprentice
KAP Reading: Language Paper 1 Style Questions.
FAP Writing: Tom’s diary entry after his night at Number 13.
Unseen poem: ‘If’ – Rudyard Kipling
Half Term 5
Introduction to Poetry & Shakespeare
KAP Reading: A mini essay exploring a theme within one of the set poems.
FAP Writing: A short narrative inspired by a poem.
Half Term 6
Non-Fiction / The Zoo Project
KAP Spoken Language – Presentation of the Project
KAP Reading: End of Year Exam Language Paper 2 Section A Style Questions
Year 8
Half Term 1
Author Study
KAP Reading: Language Paper 1 Style Questions.
FAP Writing: Newspaper article on a key event.
Unseen poem: ‘Shadow on the Stone’ – Thomas Hardy
Half Term 2
Original Writing
KAP Writing: Descriptive writing inspired by their class novel – to be assessed based on classwork.
FAP Reading: Extracts linked to the writing KAP.
Half Term 3
Poetry Across Time
KAP Reading: Comparative essay exploring a theme.
FAP Writing: A short narrative inspired by a poem.
Half Term 4
Non-Fiction Writing
KAP Writing: Informative Newspaper Article
FAP Reading: Relevant newspaper articles and understanding of key features.
KAP Spoken Language – Presentation of a topic linked to an article produced.
Half Term 5
Shakespeare
KAP Reading: an extract focusing on how a character/theme is presented and links to the rest of the play.
FAP Writing: A diary entry / letter written by a protagonist linked to key events.
Unseen poem: ‘Valentine’ – Carol Ann Duffy
Half Term 6
Modern Play
KAP Reading: Analysis of language and structure and a focus on a theme/character.
FAP Writing: Formal and informal letter Writing
Unseen poem: ‘Vultures’ – Chinua Achebe
Course Overview: English
For GCSE, we all study AQA English Language and English Literature. These specifications offer a stimulating and engaging learning experience, with assessments designed to suit a range of students and allowing students of all abilities to succeed. The English Literature and English Language specifications are designed to work together, giving students the opportunity to develop a wider range of knowledge and skills. Students will explore a variety of text types and writing forms and study and enjoy a class novel, a play and a range of poetry and non-fiction texts. Our GCSE students benefit from the department’s experience and expertise and some of our staff are trained GCSE examiners.
Year 9
Half Term 1
Modern Play
KAP Reading: Analysis of language and structure and a focus on a theme/character.
FAP Writing: A formal letter of complaint.
Unseen poem: ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ – Wilfred Owen
Half Term 2
Power & Conflict Poetry
KAP Reading: Compare how the poet presents a theme in a selected poem and compare to another poem in the cluster. To be assessed based on classwork.
FAP Writing: A research project highlighting key contextual information for poems in the cluster.
KAP Spoken Language – Presentation of the Research Project
Half Term 3
Author Study
KAP Reading: Language Paper 1 Style Questions in Year 9 Exam Week.
FAP Writing: A diary entry from a protagonist about a key event.
Unseen poem: ‘Mrs. Midas’ – Carol Ann Duffy
Half Term 4
Original Writing
KAP Writing: A piece of Creative Writing using an image as stimulus – Language Paper 1 Section B in Year 9 Exam Week.
FAP Reading: Extracts linked to the writing KAP.
Half Term 5
Shakespeare
KAP Reading: Essay Question responding to how Shakespeare conveys a key theme to the audience in an extract and the play as a whole.
FAP Writing: A review of the play.
Unseen poem: ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ – Wilfred Owen
Half Term 6
Non-Fiction Reading and Writing
Pupils should work through a series of example Paper 2s.
KAP Reading & Writing: A Paper 2 Mock Exam.
KAP Spoken Language – A speech on gender equality.
Year 10
Half Term 1
LIT PAPER 1 SECTION B
C19th Novel
Study of Dickens’ novella ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Study of Blake’s ‘London’.
LANGUAGE
One hour per week focussing on reading -‘Ragged school’ (Paper 2 Nov 2018) and non-fiction writing – a letter from Bob to Scrooge asking for a pay rise.
Half Term 2
LIT PAPER 2 SECTION B
Poetry
Pupils to study the Power poetry and revise the Conflict poetry.
LANGUAGE
One hour per week on narrative writing based on war using the Lit poems as a stimulus and ‘Private Peaceful’ extracts.
Half Term 3
LIT PAPER 2 SECTION B
Poetry
Pupils to study the Power poetry and revise the Conflict poetry.
Unseen poetry –
Pupils to prepare for Lit paper 2 section C.
LANGUAGE
One hour per week on transactional writing – a newspaper article/report on a battle/war.
Half Term 4
LIT PAPER 2 SECTION A
Modern drama
Study of the chosen play.
‘An Inspector Calls’ OR ‘Blood Brothers’.
LANGUAGE
One hour per week on transactional writing based on characters/themes in modern play. Letter from Eva Smith to the Birlings. Persuasive speech to the bailiffs from Mrs Johnstone.
Half Term 5
LIT PAPER 1 SECTION A
Shakespeare
Study of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’.
LANGUAGE
One hour per week on creative writing –
Sentence structures
Structure (exposition, climax, denouement)
Using dialogue
Creating atmosphere and tension
Describing people/places
Half Term 6
LIT REVISION
One hour per week revising the Literature texts.
LANGUAGE
Skills, strategies and methods required for Paper 1 using the November 2018 papers.
Year 11
Half Term 1
English Language Paper 2 – three lessons
Using June 2018 past papers and extracts to prepare pupils.
Teach the skills, strategies and methods required.
English Literature Revision – one lesson
A weekly revision lesson on ‘A Christmas Carol’ for four consecutive weeks. A weekly revision lesson on Power and Conflict poetry for four consecutive weeks.
Half Term 2
English Language Paper 1 – three lessons
Using June 2018 past papers and extracts to revise the skills, strategies and methods required.
English Literature Revision – one lesson
A weekly revision lesson on ‘An Inspector Calls/Blood Brothers’ for four consecutive weeks. A weekly revision lesson on ‘Macbeth’ for four consecutive weeks.
Half Term 3
English Language Paper 2
Using specimen & past papers and extracts to revise the skills, strategies and methods required.
Revisit key learning dependent on needs of pupils following mock.
English Literature Revision – one lesson
A weekly revision lesson on ‘A Christmas Carol’ for four consecutive weeks.
A weekly revision lesson on Power and Conflict poetry for four consecutive weeks.
Half Term 4
REVISION AND A FOCUS ON EXAM PAPERS INFORMED BY MOCK EXAM RESULTS
MAKE SURE A BALANCE BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IS ACHIEVED.
Revisit key learning dependent on needs of pupils following mock.
English Literature Revision – one lesson
A weekly revision lesson on ‘An Inspector Calls/Blood Brothers’ for four consecutive weeks. A weekly revision lesson on ‘Macbeth’ for four consecutive weeks.
Course Components
English Language
Paper 1 is worth 50% of the GCSE. The focus is on explorations in creative reading and writing. Paper 2 is also worth 50% of the GCSE with a focus on writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. In each examination, students will complete all the questions in section A which tests their reading skills then the question in section B on writing skills.
The Spoken Language element is not worth anything towards the English GCSE but must be completed and the focus in on presenting, responding to questions and feedback and use of Standard English.
English Literature
Paper 1 is worth 40% of the GCSE and the focus is Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel. Students will study ‘A Christmas Carol’ and either ‘Macbeth’ or ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Paper 2 is worth 60% of the GCSE and the focus is Modern texts and Poetry. Students will usually study either ‘Blood Brothers’ or ‘An Inspector Calls’ and then the Power and Conflict cluster of the anthology.
Course Information
Course Name: English Language
Qualification Type: GCSE
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification code: 8700
Course Name: English Literature
Qualification Type: GCSE
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification code: 8702
After school clubs are provided for keen students who wish to stretch their abilities. Catch up and support are also offered on a one to one basis where necessary. Some of the support sessions, clubs and activities offered are:
Theatre visits
Author visits
Annual World Book Day celebrations
Book club
Public speaking