English
Reading is fundamental. We instil in our pupils a love of reading because, for a while, they can imagine living in a different body, in a different place, with different people, which is what we wish for.
In response to reading our pupils will explore aspects of writing both fiction and non-fiction.
Both reading and writing will enhance our pupils’ use of standard English, encouraging them to be fluent and confident readers, writers and speakers.
Key Stage 3
Year 7: The Power of Narrative
In Year 7, we focus our attention on powerful, compelling narratives. We look at how authors can just as readily engage with the world around them as invent new ones and reflect on why some styles of writing only seem to improve with age. We begin with a thorough grounding in the mechanics of language, building pupils’ confidence with the written word and reminding them of just how many tools they have at their disposal when it comes to expressing themselves in writing. We also enjoy a class reader: The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, a compelling narrative of myth, magic and friendship which prompts exploration of magic realism and encourages reflection on concepts such as identity, oppression and what is ‘home.’
Next, we study a modern novel: Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman. As well as analysing language and structure and building evaluative responses, we use the novel as a basis for non-fiction transactional writing. The novel engages with medical ethics, animal rights and the fragile nature of identity; for us, it acts as a springboard for preparing speeches and writing to express a point of view, laying early groundwork for the demands of English Language Paper 2 at GCSE.
Lastly, pupils undertake a unit of work on Tales of Mystery and Imagination, reading a selection of short stories and poetry which represent different manifestations of this diverse genre. Pupils explore some of the specifics of Gothic writing, such as the differences between horror and terror, and how the supernatural can be used as a metaphor for aspects of the worlds in which the authors were living. They examine short stories from a structural perspective and try to identify how authors build tension, suspense and dread. They also enjoy a collaborative creative task, ‘Murder Manor’, as well as the opportunity to experiment with poetic form.
Year 8: Places and Perspectives
Year 8 begins with a novel, When The Sky Falls by Phil Earle. This work, set in wartime London, offers an intriguing perspective on conflict, family and identity through its central character, Joseph. We then engage with other representations of conflict by spending some time on war poetry, comparing perspectives on World War 1 as well as analysing more modern responses to conflict by poets like Simon Armitage.
We then move into the realms of the fantastical, reading The Tempest by William Shakespeare. This play about magic, loss, betrayal, power and, ultimately, theatre itself not only creates a compelling sense of place; it also demands the evaluation of a range of perspectives from its audience. Is Prospero a caring father and benevolent leader? Or is he a prototype of patriarchal colonialism? Is Caliban truly born evil? In which case, can he be seen as morally culpable? This is the beauty of English: nothing is ever straightforward!
Lastly, we explore the representation of other cultures in English. Travel writing forms a part of this unit and we look closely at how authors evoke a sense of place in language, while also critically reflecting on how this can sometimes be problematic. We also study modern poems which give voices to marginalised figures and communities whose perspectives are shaped by hardship, inequality and persecution.
Year 9: Individuals and Their Worlds
Year 9 begins in fair Verona with the study of Romeo and Juliet. We dive deep into the world of the ‘star-cross’d lovers’, refining our analysis of key extracts and discussing them in terms of the rest of the play. We consider staging and evaluate the artistry of some striking productions of the play, while taking time to write creatively on Shakespeare’s themes and motifs.
Speculative and dystopian fiction is a perennial favourite, and in the spring term we consider what it is about the genre that makes it so compelling. We spend time setting the genre in context, building our studies from the concept that much speculative fiction is largely an interrogation of our own times. Our class reader, Noughts and Crosses, is a modern speculative classic which can also be linked to Romeo and Juliet; parallels are drawn to see what light can be shed intertextually.
As Year 9 draws to a close we start to look ahead, introducing unseen poetry in the summer term. In keeping thematically with the previous texts studied in Year 9, we read a range of poetry on the theme of love and relationships, much of which is pre-1914. In these poems we are invited to reflect on the impact of the passage of time and explore how seemingly insignificant moments can take on a complex symbolic resonance that can only be appreciated with hindsight.
As a trial run for the GCSE Spoken Language component, pupils will also have the opportunity to study writing of a persuasive nature as a springboard for them to write and deliver a short presentation on a topical matter of interest to them personally.
KS3 Assessment Grid
Key Stage 4
As English is a core subject, all pupils are required to study it. The skills developed through the GCSE English Language/Literature course support all other curriculum areas.
GCSE English Language/Literature
English Language:
AQA GCSE English Language
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
- Section A: Reading: One literary fiction source, four questions
- Section B: Writing: Descriptive or narrative writing
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
- Section A: Reading: One non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text, four questions
- Section B: Writing: Writing to present a viewpoint
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Non-Examination Assessment: Spoken Language presentation
English Literature:
AQA GCSE English Literature:
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
- Section A: Shakespeare (Currently Macbeth)
- Section B: 19th Century Novel (Currently A Christmas Carol)
Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry
- Section A: Modern Texts (Currently An Inspector Calls)
- Section B: Poetry (Currently Power and Conflict cluster)
- Section C: Unseen Poetry
Written Examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
Pupils are assessed through continuous study: classwork and homework. There are also end of year examinations and mock examinations to highlight individual strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.
The awarding body is AQA: English Language Syllabus 8700 and English Literature Syllabus 8702
Further Study
English Language, Literature and Media Studies are popular choices at A Level. As English is a core subject, the skills developed during the GCSE course also support Humanities and Science routes into Further Education.