English

“Reading for me was as normal, as unremarkable as eating or breathing. Reading gave flight to my imagination and strengthened my understanding of the world, the society I lived in, and myself."
Malorie Blackman

Rationale

English is all about communication and our focus is to foster the students' self confidence in connecting with others through talk and on paper. We expect our students to be curious and actively respond to what they read and observe around them, sustaining a love for literature as well developing their skills to be accurate, yet creative writers. They should be reading regularly, though we encourge the reading of all kinds of genres and in all formats and we have a great collection of books for students to use in our Reading Room. Through our exploration of stories of all kinds, we will encourage them to articulate their views and ideas through debate, discussion, essays and creative genres, being open to others' perspectives, and ultimately, enjoying how English can open up their own minds and ideas.

 Overview

 
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Term 5
Term 6
Year 7
Autobiography with an Oracy Focus The Origins of Stories  Fantastical Reads and How to Write Them Exploring Poetry The World of Shakespeare

Dear Freddie Mercury [school wide scheme]

Year 8
Shakespeare’s Macbeth Poetry on Stage and Screen

Animal Farm, George Orwell

Detective Fiction Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

The Ministry of information [school wide scheme]

Year 9
Women Writing - all genres Heroes and Villians 'Blood Brothers' & Anthology 1 'Blood Brothers' and Anthology 2 Anthology 3 & Language P1&2 Section B Language P1&2 Section B
Year 10
'Jekyll and Hyde' 'Jekyll and Hyde' Anthology 4 Language P1 Section A Language P2 Section B Revision and exam practice Mock Exams & Lit P2:Unseen Poetry
Year 11
'The Merchant of Venice' 'The Merchant of Venice' S&L Endorsement & Lang P2/A Revision and Exam Practice Revision and Exam Practice GCSE Exam Season
Year 12
A level Lit, Lang Lit A level Lit, Lang Lit A level Lit, Lang Lit A level Lit, Lang Lit A level Lit, Lang Lit Mock Exams & NEA Prep
Year 13
NEA & prep for mock exams Mock Exams  Completion of textual studies Revision and Exam Practice Revision and Exam Practice A Level Exam Season

Key Stage 3

In Year 7 and Year 8, students can look forward to an exciting and engaging journey through English, where curiosity and creativity are at the heart of learning. They will explore a wide range of texts – from gripping novels and powerful poetry to dramatic plays and thought-provoking non-fiction – each designed to spark imagination and encourage critical thinking. Lessons are filled with opportunities to discuss big ideas, share opinions, and develop confidence in both written and spoken communication. Students will learn to craft compelling stories, build strong arguments, and express themselves clearly and effectively. Through group work, performance, creative writing, and interactive activities, English becomes a space to explore the world, ask questions, and find their voice. Whether they're diving into a mystery, debating a real-world issue, or writing their own masterpiece, Year 7 and 8 students will be challenged, inspired, and supported as they grow into confident communicators and thoughtful readers.

Key Stage 4

For KS4, students will appreciate the context of a text and its author. We begin Year 9 with an exploration of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee before reading a wide variety of textual extracts that are a basis of ‘The Writer’s Toolkit’ - the title of our work into Term 2 - where we revise and develop the students’ key reading and writing in readiness for GCSE. Both units prepare them well for the compelling GCSE text 'Blood Brothers' in Terms 3 and 4. From then on, the students will develop their critical and creative skills further, where the focuses of GCSE Language are integrated into the teaching of Literature texts. This enables to students to understand how their skills cross reference and ensures a thorough embedding of their knowledge and expertise in readiness for the final examinations. The Speaking and Listening Endorsement at the end of Year 10 is a special time as it is an opportunity for students to talk about a subject they really care about.

Post 16

Across the A levels of English Literature and Film Studies, there is the expectation that students want to pursue their curiosity and love of reading - of all kinds of genres. The quantity of reading is challenging, as is expected for all the A levels. Students should be prepared to discuss, with notes and ideas ready before the lessons, but in turn, these fuel vibrant discussions which are at the core of how all these subjects are explored. Regular critical analysis and essays are set to enable the students to develop their writing style to a higher level of sophistication, whilst study tasks will hone their research skills to prepare them for the independence that is needed for the coursework. All subjects include a coursework element, so there will be opportunities for students to choose their own texts and lines of enquiry.

English Literature A-Level Information Sheet

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Previous trips have included

  • Year 9 – ‘Noughts and Crosses’ – theatre production
  • Year 10 – ‘Blood Brothers’ – theatre production
  • Year 12 Literature – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ – theatre production

Clubs:

  • Creative Writing – all years – run by Sixth Form Ambassadors
  • The Reading Room – Our mini library in the Learning Resource Centre is open to all years at lunchtime.
  • KS5 Literary Society
  • School Magazine – in collaboration with IT.

Online Resources

The English department recommends these resources.

Exam Boards

GCSE - AQA

A-Level English Literature - Edexel

 

If you would like to know more about our curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact the school.