Throughout the curriculum in Key Stage 3, students will focus on the development of their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. They will have the opportunity to appreciate a wide range of texts, from non-fiction to media forms and literature. Specific choices of text will vary from group to group, to meet the needs of each student.

Over the course of the year, students will study a novel and a drama text in their class group. They will explore advertising and the language of persuasion, examine texts from different cultures and discuss the presentation of an event in the media. Students will have the opportunity to carry out independent research and to write for a range of audiences and purposes.

Year 8

In Year 8, students will study short fiction and suspense, a range of poetry, a novel and a drama text. The range of poetry will include some from the English Literary Heritage. They will also analyse film as part of their engagement with media forms and develop their skills in writing in different forms, for different purposes, including creative writing..

Year 9

In Year 9, students will focus on the study of a play by Shakespeare, examine a novel which may have been written for an older reader, develop their creative skills in fantasy writing and explore a range of texts written by authors from different cultures. They will also evaluate and use the skills and techniques of a range of types of writing.

Year 10

Students in Key Stage 4 will prepare for their GCSEs and follow either a dual entry English Language and English Literature course or a single GCSE English course. All will read a range of texts including those from the English Literary Heritage, different cultures and non-fiction and media. They will develop their skills as writers, speakers and listeners.

In the first year of their GCSE course students will focus on reading and writing non-fiction; study an novel, such as ‘Of Mice and Men’ or ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and analyse poetry by contemporary and heritage poets. Those following the Literature course will also study a play. Controlled assessments, which count towards 40% of the final grade, will be completed in class time. Students will develop the essential skills of planning, accuracy and proof-reading.

Year 11

Literature students will complete their course by studying Shakespeare and a further text from the English Literary Heritage. They will continue to develop their written skills for the exam. Most students will complete a study of Spoken Language as well as presenting their own ideas orally through debates, presentations and role play.
English students will sit their Unit 1 examination in January, and will complete further written and spoken assessments.