Curriculum

ENGLISH

The study of English is essential, not only in terms of helping individuals make sense of who they are, but also in learning how to communicate successfully with the world. English Literature teaches a great deal about life, history and society and fosters tolerance and understanding, which is a vital part of a balanced education. Reading, spoken language and writing are the cornerstones of success and we aim to equip our pupils with the skills 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.
Curriculum Overview KS3
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

Autumn 1 – Fairy Tales and The Gothic 

Understanding the key aspects of a story / characterisation.

Autumn 2 – Myths and Legends

Understanding the key components of a story and the impact of Greek mythology and stories which deliver morals.

Spring 1 and 2 – Heroes and Villains – Hunger Games 

Understanding ideas of heroes and villains, societal control, class and use of dystopian fiction. 

Summer 1 – Poetry from Around the World 

Understanding poetry from different cultures, with a focus on social inequality and differences in culture and religion.

Summer 2 – Shakespearian Tragedy – Romeo and Juliet 

Understanding the basic context surrounding Shakespeare, his impact on literature and the basic components of a ‘tragedy’.

 

Autumn 1 – Crimes and Detectives – Sherlock Holmes 

Understanding context of crime / detective literature with a focus on Victorian context – society, morality and cultural influence.

Autumn 2 – War Poetry 

Develop an understanding of the context of WW1 and develop poetry analysis skills through the history of war. 

Spring 1 – Of Mice and Men – Power, Class and Wealth 

Focus on social divisions, equality, economy and American history.

Spring 2 – Shakespearian Comedies – Much Ado About Nothing  

Develop understanding of the basic context surrounding Shakespeare, his impact on literature and the basic components of a ‘comedy’. 

Summer Term – Djinn Train on the Purple Line

Understanding themes of power and control in greater depth through the lens of dystopia set in Indian Slums.

 

Autumn Literature

Topic Focus – Blood Brothers

  • Develop understanding of how to analyse modern play 
  • Focus on class and social division, inequality, impact of wealth and segregation in society

 

Autumn Language

Topic Focus – Fiction reading and writing around wealth, poverty and social injustice. 

  • Rich and poor / wealthy disparity
  • Use of short fiction texts to support understanding of texts over time, language and structure
  • Building understanding of wealth disparity through time

Spring Literature

Topic Focus – Injustice and Inequality Poetry

  • Explore a poetry anthology with a focus on injustices and marginalised groups

 

Spring Language

Topic Focus – Non-fiction reading and transactional writing.

  • Explore a range of non fiction texts under the heading ‘World of Work’ from the 19th to 21st century
  • Focus on Industrial Revolution, Victorian and Edwardian England and modern day workplaces
  • Understanding of workers’ rights/poor working conditions

 

Summer Literature

Topic Focus – Return to Shakespeare Tragedy – Macbeth

  • Introduction to the plot of Macbeth
  • Clear focus on contextual factors, writer’s intention, characters and themes
  • Develop knowledge of how Macbeth fits the Shakespeare genre

Summer Language

  • Writing creatively – villains and corruption
  • Writing to express a viewpoint with oracy training: Spoken language practice – gender and body autonomy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum Overview KS4
Year 10 Language
  Autumn Spring Summer
Culture Capital Focus
  • Power: use of short fiction texts to support understanding of texts over time, language and structure
  • Men and women through the ages
  • Sexism and expectations of genders from 19th century to modern day
  • Columnists’ views on modern day gender inequality
  • Range of topics covering areas of culture covered through the curriculum
  • World of work, men and women, rich and poor
Text Lists Language Paper 1:Reading and Creative Writing  Language Paper 2: Viewpoints and Perspectives  Language Paper 2: Transactional Writing  
Skill Focus AO1-AO6 AO1-AO6 AO1-AO9
Year 10 Literature
  Autumn Spring Summer
Culture Capital Focus
  • Victorian context: setting,crime, expectations, morality
  • Anthology Poetry: comparison focus
  • Introduction to romance poems
  • Unseen poetry
  • Edwardian and post war context: setting, expectations, morality
Text Lists 19th Century Novel: Jekyll and Hyde Anthology Poetry Modern Text: An Inspector Calls
Skill Focus AO1-AO3 AO1-AO3 AO1-AO3
Year 11 Language
  Autumn Spring Summer
Culture Capital Focus
  • Language Paper 1 (fiction reading and writing skills) 
  • Exploring a range of themes around 20th/21st century
  • Language Paper 2: Viewpoints and Perspectives 
  • Language paper 2: Viewpoints and Perspectives
  • Exploring a range of themes with a particular focus on middle class outdoor activities
  • Language Paper 1
  • Revision 
Text List Language Paper 1 and Language Paper 2 Language Paper 2: Viewpoints and Perspectives  All
Skill Focus AO1-AO6 AO1-AO6 AO1-AO6
Year 11 Literature
  Autumn Spring Summer
Culture Capital Focus
  • Half Term 1:Jekyll and Hyde and Macbeth
  • Victorian context: setting, crime, expectations, morality
  • Half Term 2: An Inspector Calls
  • Edwardian context and post war context
  • Half Term 2: Jekyll and Hyde and Macbeth
  • Victorian context: setting, crime, expectations, morality
  • Half Term 4: An Inspector Calls
  • Edwardian context and post war context 
  • Revision 
Text List Literature Paper 1 and 2 topics Literature Paper 1 and 2 topics  All
Skill Focus AO1-AO3 AO1-AO3 All
Assessment

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

Enrichment Offer

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.