English aims to provide students with the skills of Reading, Writing and Spoken Language in order to equip them for life beyond school. English teaches students to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions and interpret the use of language by others. Providing opportunities to engage with the English Literary Heritage and explore texts from various cultures, traditions and periods, the curriculum aims to draw on links with Art, Science, History and Drama. Students will be encouraged to develop analytical skills alongside fostering a lifelong love of reading. They will also develop their creativity and resilience as they engage in writing for different audiences and purposes, using language to empower themselves. As per the National Curriculum, in addition to developing skills necessary to be a fully participating member of society, English enables students to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually.
The seven-year journey in English begins at Key Stage 3 where the foundations of knowledge and understanding of the curriculum concepts are established. Students engage with a range of literary forms and genres such as the work of Dickens, Shakespeare, Shelley and Poe, as well as studying poetry, writing for different purposes and developing oracy skills. At Key Stages 4 and 5, these foundations are built upon through a more in depth study of literary texts and writing for different purposes. At Key Stage 5, students have the option to study for A Levels in English Literature and Film Studies.
The department offers a range of opportunities in order for all students to engage actively in English and fulfil their potential. Study support sessions are provided across the key stages throughout the academic year and the library is open to all students.
Head of Department: Mrs A Vukasovic – [email protected]
KS3 Co-ordinator: Mrs L Male – [email protected]
KS4 Co-ordinator: Miss D Homer – [email protected]
KS5 Co-ordinator: Mrs J Ford – [email protected]
“English lessons have a really positive atmosphere. You are never scared to give your opinion.”
“In English we get to share our opinions and interpretations. Teachers make sure we think for ourselves but are also always there if we need some support.”
“I enjoy reading texts as a class in English. It’s interesting discussing the different issues and learning about characters.”
At Key Stage 3, students read a broad range of literature to gain an understanding of literary conventions and of how writers use methods to create meaning. They are given opportunities to then use these methods themselves to craft their own creative and non-fiction writing pieces. The curriculum at Key Stage 3 is sequenced to ensure that students are able to revisit key aspects of knowledge such as literary genres and their conventions. Students engage with Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet, the modern novel ‘In The Sea There Are Crocodiles,’ and the gothic novel ‘Wuthering Heights,’ by Emily Bronte. In addition, students are exposed to a range of culturally diverse poetry and extracts from a range of fiction and non-fiction texts to supplement their key texts. Students are encouraged to express their own identities, opinions and beliefs through a ‘Make Yourself Heard’ unit of work which runs alongside Malorie Blackman’s ‘Noughts and Crosses.’ These units encourage students to develop a love of English and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to access the Key Stage 4 curriculum and thrive in their lives beyond education.
At Key Stage 4, students embark on the AQA specifications of study for GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language. Using knowledge developed at Key Stage 3, they engage with themes that sAt Key Stage 4, students embark on the AQA specifications of study for GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language. Using knowledge developed at Key Stage 3, they engage with themes that span the literary texts such as power, conflict, morality and the universal human condition. Key Stage 4 provides the opportunity for students to craft their own style of creative and non-fiction writing, with opportunities to write based on a range of stimuli and topical issues. Key Stage 4 encourages students to engage with the world around them and to begin making connections between their literary studies and wider ideas of life. The Spoken Language element of the English Language course and regular oracy tasks encourage students to become confident and expressive communicators, developing vital skills for adult life. GCSE English studies prepare students for all pathways beyond Key Stage 4, honing their extended writing and analytical skills for further academic study and equipping them with the reading, writing and communication skills for the workplace and adult life.
A Level English Literature – AQA Specification A
English Literature is an engaging and challenging A Level course; it is highly regarded by universities and employers as a traditional academic subject and solid foundation for a variety of pathways. In English Literature, students read and respond to texts based on WWI including Sherriff’s Journey’s End, Barker’s Life Class and a collection of poetry. Students also enjoy reading Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Shakespeare’s Othello as part of the ‘Love through the Ages’ unit. In addition, a coursework component enables students to explore their own literary interests and write on a topic about which they feel passionate and confident. The variety of texts studied and the assessment styles used (passage-based questions, unseen material, single-text questions, multiple-text questions, open- and closed-book approaches) allow students to develop a wide range of skills, such as the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research which are valuable for both further study and future employment.
Year 12 English Literature Curriculum Map
Year 13 English Literature Curriculum Map
At KS5, the English Department offers A Level English Literature and A Level Film Studies.
Please view our dedicated Sixth Form section for more information on the courses available.
Progression Routes
English acts as a good foundation for all further education and employment pathways given its focus on analytical and extended writing skills, however popular progression routes include Law, Education, Journalism, Creative Writing, Media and PR.