English

Our curriculum intent across all key stages is to nurture and develop a love of literature, language and words for all students, taking into account the needs of all students so that everyone experiences success.  

Developing Moral Capital

Students build upon the culture of respect for each other and their opinions, the recognition of a need for honesty and the ever increasing recognition that learning remains primarily their responsibility: a responsibility which is now a lifelong requirement. Texts studied throughout the Key Stages address issues of morality and moral responsibility and students are encouraged to engage with empathising with characters and situations over time.

Developing Social Capital

Relationship networks build from classroom activities – and trust develops with constructive peer assessment. The Spoken Language unit  assists students to develop communications skills, as do targeted Questions which often develop into whole class participation in order to test and enhance both learning and communication skills. In addition, the study of English Language Paper 2 Q 5 enables students to understand how to express their opinions in a clear, structured and appropriate manner. 

Developing Cultural Capital

The existing curriculum provides a wide range of fictional and non-fictional opportunities for engagement with a range of different cultures, belief systems and perspectives.

Curriculum enrichment includes the introduction of class readers covering a range of global fiction and adds to students’ deeper understanding of issues which both unite and divide us. We offer a range of theatre trip opportunities to enable students to experience texts live but also to experience the cultural significance of theatre, particularly with Shakespeare’s texts and their place in shaping both modern theatre and language.

Developing Knowledge Capital

The study of English Language underpins all students’ ability to respond and succeed in all other areas of the curriculum. The study of English Language is, therefore, planned and taught within a series of overarching concepts focusing on a range of reading for meaning outcomes – understanding inference/the use and identification of a range of linguistic and structural techniques – and the development of writing skills in order to maximise the students’ ability to communicate effectively both academically and beyond.

In addition the study of Literary texts both depends on and builds upon these skills whilst also building layers of challenging concepts and contextual influences for students to understand and evaluate. 

Developing Community Capital

In English, the language texts enable students to understand wider world view issues. In addition our study of conflict poetry - ranging from issues of national and global terrorism to the use and abuse of power throughout history- include a range of poet’s views regarding Britain’s post-colonial development. 

The study of ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ raises a wide range of issues – relevant both in the 19th Century and today. Students can explore  and enjoy the text whilst also linking the fear of Darwinism in Victorian London with modern scientific and medical concerns and misconceptions in today’s world. The idea of dualism , and early Freudian ideas , also encourages students to consider  their own behaviour and attitudes – and that of society as a whole – in terms of morality : in other words what we can all rationally accept is the ‘right thing ‘ to do when we judge others and ourselves. 

Curriculum Roadmaps - KS3 Year 7,8 & 9

Curriculum Roadmaps - KS4 Year 10 & 11

Curriculum Roadmaps - KS5 Year 12 & 13

Key Stage 3

The English department at KS3 aims to inspire a love of reading and writing whilst also building a foundation of key skills in preparation for GCSE.

Students read a variety of texts to support their reading across all subjects. They are encouraged to be critical readers and to formulate their own opinions.

We are committed to improving students’ writing and have a clear focus on improving basic skills of technical accuracy. Our approach to teaching grammar emphasises the function of words, phrases and clauses in context.

The department uses a combination of Formative and Summative Assessment ensuring effective ongoing monitoring of student progress and the diagnosis of areas for development. We have introduced a Mastery Curriculum to Year 7 this academic year focused on reading and writing skills, in line with National Curriculum changes, to ensure students are aware of their next steps for progress. 

In order to support a culture of reading and to support students in preparation for the new style GCSEs, in Year 7 & 8 students are set regular reading homework alongside quizzes and challenging reading comprehension tasks. We encourage students to read aloud to parents/ guardians three times per week.

Key Stage 4

AQA English Language GCSE & AQA English Literature GCSE (Core Subject)

This 2 year course builds on the skills you have developed at Thorpe Campus, you will study this for 4 hours per week.

AQA English Language GCSE

Paper 1 is ‘Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing’

Paper 2 is ‘Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives’

All examinations take place at the end of Year 11

A separate endorsement is given for the Spoken Language assessment

What is assessed:

How is it assessed:

AQA English Literature GCSE

Paper 1 is ‘Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel’

Paper 2 is ‘Modern prose, drama and poetry’

All examinations will take place at the end of Year 11

Key Stage 5

English Literature

English Literature consists of the study of a range of texts including a Shakespeare play such as ‘Hamlet’. Students also study the works of a range of poets including Jo Shapcott, Seamus Heaney and Christina Rossetti. Plays such as ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘A Doll’s House’ are incorporated into the course and in addition, students read novels such as ‘The Great Gatsby’ and the ‘The Wasp Factory’. The work will vary according to the subject matter and the texts being studies. 

Assessment is 80% terminal examinations after two years’ study and 20% coursework also taken in the second year of study.

English Language / Literature

English Language and Literature consists of the study of a range of texts including a Shakespeare play such as ‘Othello’ or a more contemporary play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. Students also study the works of a range of poets including William Blake or Emily Dickinson; in addition, they will read novels such as ‘The Great Gatsby’. The Language element of the course allows the student to analyse the spoken word and non—fiction texts but also to analyse their own creative writing to develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language. The work will vary according to the subject matter and the texts being studied. 

Assessment is 80% terminal examinations after two years’ study and 20% coursework also completed in the second year of study.