The English curriculum at KS3 aims to build on the foundations of KS2 by working on the following:

• Developing a love of the subject through the exploration of world literature across time.
• Enhancing students’ ability to read and comprehend increasingly challenging texts.
• Developing students’ ability to write for different purposes and different audiences.
• Improving students’ oracy enabling their development as fluent, effective communicators.

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These aims will be met through students’ study of:

• Shakespearean texts
• A full novel each year
• Reading and responding to selected extracts, fiction and non-fiction, by 19th, 20th and 21st century writers.

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Assessment

• Students will be assessed formally at the end of each half term with assessments based on the topic covered in the specific unit for that period.

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Intervention and Differentiation

• Through the active marking process and deep marking of students’ OZone tasks, the department identifies and intervenes with students to ensure they are making the best possible progress. Reading age tests and reading enhancement programmes are used to further students’ reading and comprehension ability, thereby enhancing their ability to access the curriculum content.

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Course title and type of qualification: English Language and English Literature GCSE

What will I learn?

English is a compulsory subject at KS4. All students will study English Language and English Literature. We also offer the Step Up to English qualification.

In English Language, we will read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts and explore how writers use language for different purposes. We will analyse the language choices’ of writers, and how these choices affect the reader. We will explore how we can apply these skills to our own writing in stories and a range of transactional tasks (articles, speeches, letters, etc).

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In English Literature, we will explore a range of texts to broaden our understanding of the world and human expression. These texts include:

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• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (current Y10)
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare (current Y11)
• An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley
• A poetry anthology- power and conflict cluster. (current Y11)
• A poetry anthology - love and relationships cluster. (current Y10)
• A range of unseen poems

How will I be assessed?

English Language.

Students will sit two exams.

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Paper 1.  (1hour 45 minutes) 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing. This paper requires students to read a fiction text and answer a selection of structured questions and then to complete a narrative writing task.

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Paper 2. (2 hours) 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional/Persuasive Writing. This paper requires students to read tow extracts and answer a selection of structured questions and then to complete two transactional writing tasks

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Exam Board: EDUQAS

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English Literature.

Students will sit two exams.

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Paper 1. (1hour 45 minutes) Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel.

• Section A Shakespeare - Students will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and the play as a whole.
• Section B 19th century novel (A Christmas Carol). Students will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and the novel as a whole.

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Paper 2. (2 hours15 minutes) Modern texts and Poetry.

• Section A Modern Text (An Inspector Calls). Students will answer one essay question about the play.
• Section B Poetry -  Students will answer one comparative question on a named, printed poem and another of their choice from their anthology cluster.
• Section C Unseen Poetry. Students will answer a question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this to a second unseen poem.

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Exam Board: AQA

What could I move onto?

Studying English broadens your understanding of humanity’s expression through language. It will enable you to see things from others perspectives whilst developing your own viewpoints. It will give you the tools to express your viewpoint eloquently and respectfully. A good grasp of English is required for almost all courses at college and University but is also vital in your day-to-day life.

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