English
The study of English Language and Literature is more important today than ever. Literacy and communication skills underpin success in every subject and prepare students for further study and work. The ability to critically analyse fiction and non-fiction develops independent thinking skills, while clear and precise written expression and the confidence and ability to communicate and listen well are also fundamental to the wider curriculum and to the world of employment.
Students are given the opportunity to engage with a wide range of literature, introducing them to both historical texts and recent writers. The English curriculum contains a broad range of texts from non-fiction to novels, play scripts and poetry. The study of literature enables students to respond to ideas and values and to enter debates and discussions. Students will be introduced to literature from different times and cultures, broadening their understanding of ideas, cultures and places.
While studying English we develop reading, writing and speaking and listening. Students will be given the opportunity to debate and discuss as well as respond to texts using drama and role play.
A Parent Support booklet has been produced for Year 7 parents covering Literacy and the importance of reading for students, it also includes useful tips for parents.
The English department also offers students the opportunities of extra-curricular activities through trips, clubs and national competitions. Students have been published in a National Anthology of Poetry as well as competing in public speaking and debating competitions at borough and national levels, examples include the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge and the Rotary Club’s Youth Speaks competition, both of which are yearly competitions that are run within the Department.
Click here or on the link on the left to find out more about the English Enrichment programme.
Our students enjoy watching live theatre performances in order to enrich their learning and understanding of texts; we offer students the experience of watching productions of Shakespeare at the original Globe Theatre, linking the classroom to the history and drama of the original plays. Other plays that students have seen during the last year include: An Inspector Calls; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time; War Horse and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
We offer a broad and interesting curriculum from KS3 to A level, engaging students academically, socially and emotionally in the fundamental skills and knowledge of English Language and Literature.
Assessment Objectives:
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English Language |
English Literature |
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AO1 Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.
Select and synthesise evidence from different texts. |
AO1 Read, understand and respond to texts Students should be able to: •maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response •use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations |
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AO2 Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views. |
AO2 Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate |
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AO3 Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts. |
AO3 Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
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AO4 Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
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AO4 Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation |
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AO5 Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences.
Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts. |
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AO6 Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. |
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Key Stage 3
Students study Language and Literature as per the teaching plan below. Key Stage 3 studies help students to develop the skills requisite for success in their English Language and English Literature GCSEs. A positive result of the changing curriculum at national level means that Key Stages 3 and 4 are now assessed using the same 1-9 level assessment criteria (see above for assessment objectives referred to below).
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
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Unit |
AOs |
Unit |
AOs |
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Autumn 1
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Literature Extract Studies: The Gothic |
Lang AOs 1,2,4 |
Poetry: Relationships
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Lit AOs 1-4 |
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Autumn 2
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Descriptive and Narrative Writing :19th Century Style |
Lang AOs 5, 6 |
Writing: Speeches and The Spoken Language |
Lang AOs 5,6 |
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Spring 1
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Poetry: Romantic and Victorian Poetry |
Lit AOs 1-4 |
World Literature Extract Studies |
Lang AOs 1-4 |
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Spring 2
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Non-Fiction: Literary Non-Fiction and The Spoken Language |
Lang AOs 1-3, 7-9
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Non-Fiction: Reading Focus/ Spoken Language
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Lang AOs 1-3, 7-9
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Summer 1 |
Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
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Lit AOs 1-4
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Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing/ A Midsummer Night’s Dream |
Lit AOs 1-4
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Summer 2
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Novel: Animal Farm, The Outsiders or Boy
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Lit AOs 1-4
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Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird; Lord of the Flies, Noughts and Crosses, Northern Lights. |
Lit AOs 1-4
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Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Students study both Language and Literature to GCSE level, resulting in students receiving two separate GCSE qualifications. The academic year 2015-16 sees us complete the final year of the old GCSE. If you would like further information regarding this please speak directly to your child’s English teacher.
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Year 9 |
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Unit |
AOs |
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Autumn 1
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Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice
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Lit AOs 1-4
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Autumn 2
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Language Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing |
Lang AOs 1,2,4,5,6
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Spring 1
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Novel: Of Mice and Men
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Lit AOs 1-4
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Spring 2
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Language Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives |
Lang AOs 1,2,3,5,6
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Summer 1
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Poetry: Power and Conflict Cluster:
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Lit AOs 1-4
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Summer 2
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19th Century Novel Extracts
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Lang AOs 1-6
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Year 10 |
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Unit |
AOs |
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Autumn 1
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Language Paper 1: Writing Section B: Descriptive/Narrative Writing Language Paper 2: Writing Section B: Writing to Present a Viewpoint |
Lang AOs 5,6
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Autumn 2
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Literature Paper 2 – Section B and C Poetry: Relationship Cluster and Unseen Poetry |
Lit AOs 1-4
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Spring 1
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Language Paper 1 – Reading Section A: Literary Non-Fiction and 18th-21st Century Extracts |
Lang AOs 1,2,4
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Spring 2
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Literature Paper 2 – Section A: An Inspector Calls
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Lit AOs1-4
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Summer 1
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Language Paper 2 – Section B: Non-Fiction Texts
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Lang AO 1,2,3
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Summer 2
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Literature Paper 1 – Section A Shakespeare: Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet |
Lit AOs 1-4 |
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Year 11 (2016-2017) |
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Unit |
AOs |
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Autumn 1
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Literature Paper 1 – Section B 19th Century Novel: Frankenstein, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde or A Christmas Carol |
Lit AOs 1-4
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Autumn 2
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Literature Paper 2 – Section B and C Poetry: Relationship Cluster and Unseen Poetry |
Lit AOs 1-4
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Spring 1
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Language Paper 1 – Writing Section B: Descriptive/Narrative Writing Language Paper 2 – Writing Section B: Writing to Present a Viewpoint |
Lang AOs 5,6
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Spring 2
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Language Paper 1 – Reading Section A: Literary Non-Fiction and 18th-21st Century Extracts Language Paper 2 – Section B: Non-Fiction Texts |
Lang AOs 1-4
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Summer 1
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Revision/Exam prep – Literature (not poetry)
Literature Paper 2 – Section A (Modern Texts) – An Inspector Calls Assessment – Literature AO 1-4
Literature Paper 1 – Section A (Shakespeare) Sets 1-2 – Macbeth Sets 3-4 – Romeo and Juliet Assessment – Literature AO 1-4
Literature Paper 1 – Section B (19th Century Novel) Set 1-2 – Frankenstein Set 3 – The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Set 4 – A Christmas Carol Assessment – Literature AO 1-4 |
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Key Stage 5 (Years 12-14)
We currently offer AS and A2 AQA English Literature Specification B. Please see below for further information regarding this course.
Unit 1b: Literary genres: Drama:
Study of two drama texts, including one Shakespeare play and one further drama text. The texts studied will be linked by genre; texts studied for this unit are ‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’.
Unit 2b: Literary genres: Prose and Poetry:
Study of two texts, one poetry text and one prose; the texts studied will be linked by genre. Texts studied could include: ‘Small Island’, ‘Emma’ and a selection of poetry by poets such as John Betjeman and Robert Burns.
Unit 3: Texts and genres: Elements of political and social protest writing:
Study of three texts, including: one post-2000 prose text; one poetry and one further text, one of which must be written pre-1900. The texts studied will be linked by the elements of political and social protest within them; texts studied could include: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, ‘Hard Times’, ‘The Kite Runner’ or ‘A Doll’s House’.
Unit 4: Non-exam assessment: Theory and Independence:
Study of two texts: one poetry and one prose text. The study of these texts will be informed by the study of a Critical Anthology.
Can lead to:
Careers in Writing or Editing, Publishing, Public Relations, Broadcasting, Teaching, Sales, Marketing, Business Management, Law and Librarianship.
