English

We aim to develop our students’ knowledge of vocabulary, the purpose of texts and their ability to influence readers. Exposing Key Stage 3 and 4 students to a variety of texts from different eras will be wide, varied and challenging and will enable us to enhance our students’ cultural capital and thus support their transition to more complex texts as they progress in their academic careers.

Working with our students in literacy, oracy, debate, and analytical and creative writing from Year 7 ensures that they understand the importance of comprehension, planning, drafting, presenting and editing their verbalisations and writing. This ensures that they are skilled in rhetoric and able to captivate the imaginations of their audience, whether that be an examiner or a potential employer.

Through the study of important works of literature, students in KS3 will see for themselves how writers and thinkers have captured the human experience: triumph and tragedy, suffering and loss, pride, humility, and identity. Our students will hear from a diverse range of writers and connect with the texts they study.  Students will develop their fluency in reading, gain a better command of written English and confidence in speaking.

We aim for students to leave school feeling empowered by the language and literature they encounter with us.  We want our curriculum to help them to find confidence in their own ideas and opinions, and to guide them in mastering the language skills required to convey those ideas.

At KS4, students embark on the AQA GCSE courses in both English Language and English Literature, culminating in two separate qualifications by the end of Year 11. These courses are designed to build upon the skills developed in KS3, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and a mastery of language.

In English Language, students will refine their ability to read and analyse a range of texts, learning to identify writers' methods and viewpoints. They will also focus on producing well-crafted writing for different audiences and purposes.

In English Literature, students will explore a rich selection of texts, including a 19th-century novel, a modern play, a Shakespearean drama, and a collection of poetry. Through these works, they will consider themes, characters, and the social, cultural, and historical contexts in which these texts were written.

Our aim is to equip students with the analytical and communication skills needed for academic success and to inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning.

At KS5 we offer AQA English Literature (A) and AQA English Language and Literature.  In studying the set texts, students will be given the opportunity to:

• Understand words, phrases or sentences in context, exploring aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings; distinguishing between what is stated explicitly and what is implied
• Identify themes, supporting a point of view by referring to evident in the text
• Understand writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts
• Make an informed personal response that derives from analysis and evaluation of the text
• Evaluate a writer’s choice of vocabulary, grammatical and structural features and use linguistic and literacy terminology
• Compare and contrast texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation and context.
• Produce clear and coherent text, writing effectively a range of forms and about literature for a range of purposes
• Use accurate standard English, accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar