ENGLISH
Department vision
As a department, we aim to encourage the development of sensitive, articulate, and thoughtful individuals who can use language effectively and appropriately in a wide range of situations. We reinforce specific values and objectives that are linked with whole school aims. Our aim is to enable students to develop into sensitive, critical, and efficient readers who form the habit of reading for pleasure, interest, and information. In discussions and written work, we foster rational attitudes and arguments that are free of prejudice and supported by evidence.
Year 7
| Year 7: The origins of English | |||
| Ancient origins Epic of Gilgamesh, the IliadGreek mythology (heroes)Creation mythsHomer’s Odyssey, Simon Armitage | Links to legendsBeowulf (Heaney & Headley)Journey to the WestKing ArthurA Monster Cals Patrick Ness | The art of rhetoricShakespeare – Julius CaesarFamous speeches (Paradise Lost, Lincoln, MLK Jr, Obama)Cicero & AristotleExtracts from Forsyth, Heinrichs & Leith | RomanceChaucer, Knight’s TalePatience Agbadi, Telling TalesShakespeare, Romeo & Juliet & A Midsummer Night’s DreamKeats, La Belle Dame Sans MerciTennyson, The Lady of Shalott |
Year 8
| Year 8: The development of form | |||
| CYCLE A – The sonnet fromPetrarch to Shakespeare to Donne to Wordsworth to Duffy and Dharker | CYCLE B – Comedy through timeAristophanes, LysistrataChaucer, ‘Miller’s Tale’As You Like ItRestoration comedyOscar Wilde | CYCLE C – The story of the novelExtracts from Oroonoko, Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver’s Travels, Pamela, Pride & Prejudice, Catcher in the Rye, Purple HibiscusDickens, Great Expectations | CYCLE D – Fairy and Folk TalesGrimm’s Fairy TalesHans Christian AndersonThe Arabian NightsCarroll, Alice in Wonderland |
Year 9
| Year 9: Into the world | |||
| CYCLE A – The Gothic traditionGothic anthology (The Castle of Otranto, Vathek, The Monk, The Italian, Northanger Abbey)Dracula, FrankensteinEmily Brontë – Wuthering HeightsAngela Carter, The Werewolf | CYCLE B – War writingA selection of war poetry (including Owen & Sassoon)RC Sherriff, Journey’s End | CYCLE C – Tragedy through timeOedipus the King (Sophocles)The Monk’s Tale (Chaucer)The White Devil (Webster)Othello (Shakespeare)A View from the Bridge (Miller)Things Fall Apart (Achebe) | CYCLE D – FreedomOlaudah EquianoCivil rights – biographies & speechesExtracts from Baldwin, Angelou (Ch 19, I Know Why…) Morrison, Milk & CoatesZora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God |
Years 10 & 11 – English Language & Literature
At KS4 (Year 10 and 11), our focus is on preparing our students for the AQA English Language and Literature GCSE examinations. Our curriculum is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to become confident and effective communicators. We place a strong emphasis on developing students’ reading skills, as well as their ability to express themselves clearly and persuasively through oracy. Additionally, we work to develop students’ examination skills, so that they are well-prepared for the rigorous demands of both examinations. Through a variety of engaging and challenging activities, students will have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary, improve their grammar and punctuation, and build their understanding of literary texts from a range of different time periods and cultures.
Year 10 & 11 Subject roadmap for English Literature & English Language
Year 10
| T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 | T6 | |||
| Year10 | Language(2 lessons per week) | Language Paper 1 | Language Paper 2 | |||||
| Q1 / Q2 / Q3Explicit / implicit informationAnalysis language and structure | Q4Critical evaluation | Q5 – Narrative and descriptiveWriting | Q1 / Q3Explicit / implicit informationAnalysis of language | Q2 / Q4Summarising and comparingComparing writers’ attitudes and methods | Q5Transactional writing | |||
| Literature(3 lessons per week) | Jekyll and Hyde | Poetry Cluster 1War PoetryWW1 and earlierCharge of the Light BrigadeExposureBayonet Charge Modern WarfareRemainsWar PhotographerWomen & families in warKamikazePoppies | Macbeth | Poetry Cluster 2Romantic poetryIndustrial revolution / romanticism / French revolutionLondonThe PreludeOzymandiasStorm on the IslandPoetry & societyMy Last DuchessChecking Out Me HistoryTissueEmigree | ||||
Year 11
| T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 | T6 | |||
| Year11 | Language(2 hours per week) | Paper 1 / Paper 2 Revision and Practice | Paper 1 / Paper 2 Revision and Practice | MOCK EXAMS – November and February | ||||
| Literature(3 hours per week) | Lord of the Flies | Unseen Poetry / Conflict Poetry Revision | Literature Revision | |||||
Advice For Parents & Carers
At KS3, encourage your child to read a variety of texts in English, such as books, newspapers, and magazines. This will help to improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
For students studying English at KS4, it is important to encourage your child to read widely and to focus on the analysis of texts. Encourage them to read critically and to think about the themes, characters, and language used in the texts. Parents and carers can also support their children by helping and encouraging students to prepare and revise for exams. Your child’s English teacher will be able to recommend study guides for both English Literature and English Language.
