Curriculum - English

In English, students have the opportunity to express themselves creatively and imaginatively. They also learn how to communicate effectively with others. By learning how language works, students begin to appreciate - and to think critically about - short stories, poetry, drama and novels as well as interpreting meaning in non-fiction texts. Through English, students also learn about how writers from different time periods and cultures view the world.

• Speaking confidently

• Listening and responding to others

• Using formal English where appropriate

• Understanding themes, characters and plots

• Analysing and evaluating writers’ techniques and intentions

• Learning about literature from different periods

• Writing for particular purposes and audiences

• Building an extensive vocabulary

• Developing structured responses

• Various poetry, writing and spelling competitions

• A Carnegie Book Shadowing Group for Key Stage 3 students

• Celebrating World Book Day

• Writing poetry for National Poetry Day

• Visiting workshops and performances at school

• Theatre trips are organised subject to availability

Students will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Topics covered include character and thematic study of novels, such as ‘Refugee Boy’, plays such as ‘Noughts and Crosses’, the work of Shakespeare and exploration and poetic forms.

• Students continue studying a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts giving them the opportunity to continue improving their analytical and evaluative skills alongside developing their writing skills further. Students study ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Touching the Void’ and ‘The Crucible’, allowing them to explore a range of historical contexts.

• Students begin preparations for the Edexcel English Language and English Literature GCSE examinations by examining a wide range of texts. For English Literature, students will study A Christmas Carol, Macbeth and An Inspector Calls, as well as 15 Conflict poems. Students will explore the significance of the historical context of the texts and will carefully consider the writer’s intentions and the effect on the audience. For English Language, students will be exposed to a range of fiction and non-fiction extracts, honing their analytical, evaluative and comparative skills. Students will also work on their creative and transactional writing skills.

• A Level English Language and Literature

• GCSE English Language for students who have yet to reach Grade 4