'Through analysing the words of others, we can better understand ourselves'

Intent 

In the English department, our curriculum's primary goal is to ignite a passion for literature within the students, nurturing their creativity and imagination.

• We believe in exposing students to diverse texts and writers to foster their passion and expand their perspectives.
• Through exploration of literature from various cultures, students gain a profound understanding of their place within a global society and develop empathy and tolerance.
• We emphasise the development of critical thinking skills, encouraging thoughtful analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of literary texts.
• Our lessons create a supportive environment for lively discussions and debates, empowering students to communicate (in speech and writing) effectively and building their confidence and resilience.

Meta-concepts    

The following meta-concepts underpin our curriculum:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing others' feelings and experiences, developed through analysing characters in literature.

• Expression: Conveying thoughts and emotions, enhancing communication skills, and considering how others express themselves in writing.

• Individuals and Society: Examining the relationships between personal choices and societal influence in literature.

• Morality: Exploring ethical principles and discussing the concept of right and wrong expressed through literature.

• Perspectives: Appreciating how different writers communicate their viewpoints and encouraging students to communicate their own interpretations of texts and their own opinions about world issues.

• Power: Analysing themes of influence, control, and authority within literature.

• Relationships: Studying connections and dynamics between groups and individuals, exploring personal growth and communication.

• Change: Exploring transformations in characters and societies, reflecting on the catalysts and consequences of change.

English curriculum sequence

Implementation

Our English curriculum is designed to progressively develop students' skills and knowledge, enabling their success in the subject. Throughout their studies, students will engage with a range of texts, encompassing various authors and text types. By exploring these texts, students will enhance their literacy skills and deepen their understanding of our meta-concepts, within increasingly sophisticated, ambitious, and mature contexts.

In Key Stage 3 (years 7 to 9), students have six English lessons per fortnight, while in Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11), they have eight lessons. Some students further benefit from additional English hours as a personalised intervention to support their literacy skills. During Key Stage 3, students develop their writing skills alongside the topics they explore in reading, enabling them to apply what they learn from great writers to their own writing. In Key Stage 4, Language and Literature topics are separated, and the development of students’ writing occurs primarily in the Language topics. 

Year 7 – In designing and updating our curriculum, we consider text choices and objectives from feeder schools in Year 6 to avoid repetition and ensure progression from students' prior knowledge. In Year 7, our students start identifying meta-concepts, particularly empathy, morality, and relationships, through topics such as 'The True Colours of Coral Glen,’ by Janette Forest villains throughout literary eras, nature poetry, Shakespeare's 'The Tempest,' and a selection of short films.

Year 8 – Year 8 boasts a curriculum that cherishes diversity and tolerance. Students study a play script adaptation of Malorie Blackman's 'Noughts & Crosses,' travel writing, poetry centred around diverse people and places, and 'The Bone Sparrow' by Zana Fraillon. These texts explore themes of identity, and the meta-concepts of expression, perspectives, and individuals in society are prominently featured.

Year 9 –  In Year 9, the curriculum acts as a transition to GCSE. Students study texts that appear in AQA's GCSE specifications but will not be the same texts they study for their own GCSEs. The texts include 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding, various nonfiction extracts on topical global issues, love and relationships poetry, and Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet.' These topics allow students to engage with GCSE-level content and further develop their understanding of the meta-concepts, especially relationships, power, and perspectives.

Year 10 and 11 – In Years 10 and 11, students study the texts and topics they need to know for success in their English Language and Literature qualifications. We follow the AQA exam board, and the exams and topics are as follows: Literature Paper 1 (Macbeth and A Christmas Carol); Literature Paper 2 (An Inspector Calls), Power and Conflict Poetry, and Unseen Poetry; Language Paper 1 – Explorations in creative reading and writing; Language Paper 2 – Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. Throughout the course, our exploration of the meta-concepts culminate as students gain deep knowledge of sophisticated set texts, and analyse how writers convey their intentions and messages in both literature and language. In language, students also apply this understanding to their own fiction and non-fiction writing. 

Our English curriculum progressively develops students' skills and knowledge, exposing them to diverse texts and meta-concepts, while fostering their literacy skills and analytical abilities, ultimately preparing them for success in their GCSE exams and beyond.

GCSE specification- English Language

GCSE specification- English Literature

Impact

Our curriculum equips students with the tools and knowledge for success in English and lays a strong foundation for their future academic and professional endeavours by:

• Empowering students by nurturing their literacy skills and deepening their understanding of various texts and ideas. By engaging with a wide range of authors and genres, students build their cultural capital and develop critical thinking abilities.
• Promoting effective communication and expressive writing skills, enabling students to articulate their thoughts and ideas with clarity and precision – a crucial life skill and a highly employable skill in any industry.
• Preparing students for their GCSE exams by providing a structured and comprehensive study of the required texts and topics.