ENGLISH
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
― Dr. Seuss : 'I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!'
OUR CURRICULUM INTENT
We thrive on creating an immersive journey of discovery, self-discovery and exploration. Our students are encouraged to passionately and enthusiastically tackle challenges and be driven by their pursuit of knowledge and skills in oracy, literacy and numeracy. Students get the opportunity to debate and articulate confidently on a wide variety of topical issues developing perceptive and insightful opinions. Innovative Reading strategies form a strong foundation for decoding and comprehension skills. We expose our students to a range of thought provoking topics that teach morality and social responsibility so they learn to make informed decisions.
Our writers are inspired to be imaginative and compelling as they produce extensive creative and nonfiction pieces. We provide a powerful, diverse and engaging wider curriculum that ensures all students become independent leaders of learning as they venture into their new contexts. Developing equal opportunity and removing barriers using creative, imaginative and multimodal lessons, allows all our students to thrive irrespective of their starting points. Our robust curriculum ensures that all students leave with a strong sense of self belief and the ingenuity to embrace their leadership skills to make a difference within their communities and the extended world. We shape them holistically to be empowered individuals ready to make an impact as global citizens.
THEMES
Social injustice
Power and Conflict
Discrimination and prejudice
Diversity
Social responsibility
Moral responsibility
Gender inequality
Social division
Poverty
Greed
Betrayal
Jealousy
SKILLS
Students explore the power of words and the impact it has on lives via texts and characters.
They frequently connect to the context of the real world and learn how it mirrors the lessons learnt within fiction and nonfiction texts.
Students will be exposed to exciting opportunities via trips, guest speakers and multimodal resources bringing learning to life.
Their journeys transcend time as they explore various eras ranging from Greek tragedies and Shakespeare to dealing with bereavement in the modern world.
We encourage our students to become more emotionally literate by exploring key values of empathy and compassion.
Students are expected to acquire numerous skills and a deeper knowledge of concepts driving society forward.
ASSESSMENT
Summative assessment of individual reading and writing responses.
ILT assessments throughout year
Formative assessment of key skills to track progress in lessons
Peer and self-assessment in lessons
Live marking
Directed Improvement and Reflection Time
STRETCH & CHALLENGE
Students are empowered to confidently express their thoughts, feelings and opinions within any context
Students are encouraged to understand how language is used in different contexts and adapt their own use of language in different situations.
Students are inspired by their interactions with hard hitting texts that tackle gender equity, diversity, moral and ethical views and the devastating effect of social media on lives.
Topical issues are frequently debated in the classroom strengthening their ability to construct a logical, intuitive and informed argument.
Students feel secure in their use of communication skills especially when leaving Aylward to venture into the working world.
Key Stage 3 : Modules Taught
Year 7
Refugee Boy
Much Ado About Nothing
Animal Poetry
Short Stories: Myths and Fairy Tales
Non- Fiction texts
Non- Fiction module extended
Year 8
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
Romeo and Juliet
Gothic Horror Stories
Persuasive articles
Poetry about different issues in society
Short Dystopian Stories
Year 9
Of Mice and Men
Othello
Power and Conflict poetry
Creative Writing
Non-fiction Writing
An Inspector Calls
Key Stage 4
Skills in year 10 and 11 are focused on the influences of context and social injustices of the various eras. The blended Lang/Lit curriculum ensures that students are aware of the transferability of skill. A rich and varied curriculum is offered to suit our students. Key themes link texts Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, and An Inspector Calls (ambition, greed, social injustice, supernatural, religion, gender). The choice of Power and Conflict poetry also expects students to access knowledge of war, conflict and the abuse of power in the literary texts students have already studied. This removes the burden of pressure so students can focus on skills and build cultural capital that they can access when analysing complex texts.
The use of ‘Big Questions’ and ‘Big ideas' ensure that students get the opportunity to enjoy fruitful and meaningful discussions to enhance the quality of their thoughts. Students are equipped with a high level of evaluative skill and develop high quality SPaG skills to enhance and empower their conduct in the wider world. The English curriculum encourages our students thrive in an exciting, thrilling and passionate learning journey.
Students are diligently prepared for the AQA exams:
Language Paper 1 - Creative Reading and Writing Texts
Language Paper 2 - Viewpoints and Perspectives
Literature Paper 1 - ‘Macbeth’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’
Literature Paper 2 - ‘An Inspector Calls’, ‘Power and Conflict Poetry’ and Unseen Poetry
Examination Boards : KS4 : AQA English Language GCSE & AQA English Literature GCSE
Key Stage 5
A Level English Literature
Year 12 and 13 students continue to build on the strong foundations of the skills of exploration, writer’s craft, and challenges students to become critically evaluative about the art of Literature. Students prepare to leave Aylward as strong, independent, and secure individuals. They will be ready to tackle the wider world issues with perception, insight, and confidence. Students will enter the working world with a clear understanding of meeting deadlines, prioritising, collaboration/teamwork, and strategising using their evaluative thinking.
Students rigorously prepare for the Edexcel A Level Literature exam:
Paper 1 - ‘Othello’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
Paper 2 - ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘A Handmaid’s Tale’
Paper 3 - Unseen Poetry, Poems of the Decade and Christina Rossetti Poetry
Coursework : ‘The Crucible’ compared with a text of their own
Examination Boards : KS5 : English Literature A Level GCE : Pearson (Edexcel)
EXTRA CURRICULAR & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
KS3 British Library Visit: "Fantasy: realms of imagination"; understanding and exploring the fantasy genre.
KS3 British Library Visit: "Malorie Blackman: The Power of Stories."
Reading rewards trips: InTo Film Festival, Autumn and Spring programme.
Year 11 theatre trip: A Christmas Carol at Alexandra Palace.
National Storytelling Week trip: "Japan: From myths to manga" at the Young V&A.
Black History Month: London Literacy Festival, "Stuart Lawrence: Growing up Black in Britain."
Writing club opportunities with First Story
Reading competitions linked to Renaissance Learning
Inclusion of focus weeks: for example ‘Writers’ Week’- invited poets and authors to work with targeted groups.
