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 | Skill Focus |
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Autumn 1 – The Gothic, Fairy Tales Understanding the key aspects of a story/characterisation. Text List: Dracula, Frankenstein, Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Peter Pan Skill Focus: AO1-AO9
Autumn 2 – Heroes and Villains (Myths and Legends) Understanding the key components of a story and the impact of Greek Mythology and stories which deliver morals. Text List Greek Myths: Pandora’s Box, Narcissus, Jason and the Argonauts, Odysseus and the Cyclops Skill Focus: AO1/AO2/AO3/AO5/AO6/AO8/AO9
Spring 1 – Heroes and Villains (Virtues and Vices, Heaven and Hell) Understanding the idea of hell and punishment, how it developed and its impact in society. Text List: The Hunger Games, Dante’s Inferno, Voldermort, Cruella DeVille, Captain Hook Skill Focus: Previous skills plus AO3/AO4/AO7/AO8/AO9
Spring 2 – Stories we tell (Growing Up) Developing knowledge on class division, social injustice/responsibility and the impact of poverty. Text List: Our Day Out. Articles about 80’s Britain, poverty, class division, Liverpool, north/south divide Skill Focus: Previous skills plus AO3/AO4/AO7/AO8/AO9
Summer 1 – Stories we tell (Our World) Understanding poetry from different cultures, with a focus on social inequality and differences in culture and religion. Text List – Poetry Skill Focus: AO2/AO7 main focus on Language not structure in poetry
Summer 2 – Heroes and Villains (Tragedy and Comedy) Understanding the basic context surrounding Shakespeare, his impact on Literature and the basic components of a ‘tragedy’. Text List – Romeo and Juliet Skill Focus: Previous skills and AO7 |
Autumn 1 – Crimes and Detectives Understanding context of crime/detective literature with a focus on Victorian context – society, morality and cultural influence. Text List: The Speckled Band. Extracts from Oliver Twist, Bleak House, Christmas Carol Skill Focus: AO1 – AO9
Autumn 2 – Crimes and Detectives
Understanding famous criminals and crimes from the Victorian era up to modern day. Text List: News articles/non fictions extracts based on crime/detectives/prison/heroes and villains in both modern and Victorian society. Skill Focus: AO1 – AO9
Spring 1 – Power and Conflict Understanding literature, particularly poetry from different cultures with a focus on racial inequality, multiculturalism and social division. Text List: Poetry (poems from other cultures). Skill Focus: AO1-AO9
Spring 2 – Power and Wealth Focus on social divisions, equality, economy and American history. Text List: Of Mice and Men. Reading around understanding the Wall Street Crash, The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in American History. Skill Focus: AO1-AO9
Summer 1 – Journeys: literal and metaphorical Develop understanding of the basic context surrounding Shakespeare, his impact on Literature and the basic components of a ‘comedy’ and a ‘tragedy’. Text List – Much Ado About Nothing Skill Focus: AO1-AO9
Summer 2 – Journeys: literal and metaphorical Develop an understanding of the context of WW1, along with war poetry (modern and WW1). Understanding the impact of social inequality on growing up looking at the journey of growing up through characters. Text List – Private Peaceful. Extracts – War Poetry Skill Focus: AO1-AO9 |
Literature
Language
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Curriculum Overview KS4
Year 9 Language | |||
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Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Culture Capital Focus |
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Topic Focus | Reading skills and narrative writing | Narrative viewpoints and transactional writing | Writing to describe |
Skill Focus | AO1-AO6 | AO1-AO6 | AO5 and AO6 |
Year 9 Literature | |||
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Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Culture Capital Focus |
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Topic Focus | Blood Brothers | Poetry | Macbeth |
Skill Focus | AO1-AO4 | AO1-AO3 | AO1-AO4 |
Year 10 Language | |||
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Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Culture Capital Focus |
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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 | |||
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Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Culture Capital Focus |
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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 | |||
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Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Culture Capital Focus |
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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 | |||
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Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Culture Capital Focus |
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Text List | Literature Paper 1 and 2 topics | Literature Paper 1 and 2 topics | All |
Skill Focus | AO1-AO3 | AO1-AO3 | All |
Assessment
Internal assessments take place every half-term.
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.