Students are offered the broadest possible range of experience in language, media and literature.
You will develop a sense of audience and purpose in both speaking and writing. You will gain an understanding of language as a creative and transactional medium both as readers and creators of texts, and will develop a critical awareness of language and text as a major influence on our lives. The English department strive to ensure that our students become successful learners, confident individual and responsible citizens.
Our English curriculum follows five key strands through from Year 7 to Year 13. These focus on: the outsider; dystopian worlds; texts through time; power and voices. You will study texts and produce writing linked to these key ideas throughout your time with the faculty. Reading is at the forefront of our curriculum and we work hard to instil a love of reading in our students.
The department focuses on excellence in the classroom and we actively encourage students to engage in lessons and aim to foster a love of English.
|
|
Curriculum Detail - English/Media
|
What will I study?
Year 7
- The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
- Poetry - 'The Power of People'
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- Writing Through Time: Beowulf, Chaucer, Milton, TS Eliot, Carroll, JRR Tolkein... and more!
Year 8
- The Tempest by William Shakespeare
- Gothic Literature
- Poetry: 'The Power of Nature'
- Dystopian fiction and Media - The Hunger Games
- Diverse Voices
Year 9
Autumn Term
- Writing about War
- Animal Farm
Spring Term
Summer Term
- Spoken language study: 'The World of Work'
- Writing portfolio
Year 10
- English Language and Literature
- 'Power and Conflict' poetry cluster
- Modern text study: Lord of the Flies
- 19th Century novel study: Jane Eyre
- English Language Paper 1: 'Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing'
- English Language Paper 2: 'Writer Viewpoints and Perspectives'
- Speaking and listening
Year 11
- English Language and Literature
- Shakespeare text study: The Merchant of Venice
- English Language and English Literature Exam Preparation
- Exam skills
How will I be assessed?
All Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students complete regular formative assessment including the completion of practice tasks testing the skills required by that half-term's main assessment.
Key Stage 3 students complete a main assessment towards the end of each half-term which is given a percentage and summative comment with students are encouraged to reflect on, and record, their progress.
Key Stage 4 students complete a main assessment in the form of a GCSE question towards the end of each half-term and are given a mark according to the AQA markscheme. They, too, receive a summative comment and reflect on and record their progress.
English Language
Exam Board: AQA
- Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
- Paper 2: Writer Viewpoints and Perspectives
- Each paper comprises of a reading and writing section
- Speaking and listening
*This is a requirement of the course and is assessed as Pass, Merit or Distinction. It will appear on your exam certificate but does not count towards your final grade.
English Literature
Exam Board: AQA
- Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
- Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry
- These exams are closed book
What else can I get involved in?
For information on all our enrichment opportunities, please see our enrichment programme here.
What career could I have with a qualification in English?
Courses you could study at university include:
- Creative Writing
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- English Literature and Language
- Marketing
- Media Studies
Careers which require an English qualification include:
- Digital Copywriter
- Editorial Assistant
- English as a Foreign Language Teacher
- Lexicographer
- Magazine Journalist
- Newspaper Journalist
