English
English is the primary means by which we communicate, and in the English classroom, our focus is on reading, writing, speaking and listening. To understand the rules of spelling, punctuation & grammar, and to construct an effective sentence on a page takes time, study and patience but once mastered these skills will enable you to become a strong communicator and will help you as you study subjects across the curriculum. Employers say that one of the most valuable things they look for in the people who work for them is good communication skills and this means writing and presentation as well as talking.
Such skills prepare us to become confident and successful in society, enable us to listen to others, and to have our own voices heard. However, English is about more than developing competence in these key areas; it is about fostering critical thinking skills and an understanding of the world around us that equip us to make sense of what we encounter in everyday life.
‘Getting better at English has made me a more confident person outside school as well as inside’
KEY STAGE 3
During Years 7-9 the following topics are taught:
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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The Novel An introduction to the analytical study of a whole novel, focusing on how to trace character development. Shakespeare An introduction to the world of Shakespeare, including understanding the social, historical and cultural influences of Shakespeare’s plays, and theatrical methods. Poetry An exploration of the ways poets discuss place and identity. Creative & Non Fiction Writing Exploring the effective use of genre conventions, literary techniques and grammar to create meaningful texts. |
The Novel Analytical study of a whole novel, focusing on the ways events are structured to create effect. Shakespeare An introduction to Shakespeare’s comedy plays, with an exploration of key scenes in one text of study. Poetry An exploration of the variety of poetic voices and styles that shape meaning in poetry. Creative & Non Fiction Writing Exploring the effective use of genre conventions, literary techniques and grammar to create meaningful texts. |
The Novel Analytical study of a whole novel, focusing on how to trace theme development. Shakespeare An introduction to Shakespeare’s tragedy plays, with an exploration of key scenes in Macbeth. Poetry An exploration of war poetry, with particular focus on power and conflict, and attitudes to war. Creative & Non Fiction Writing Exploring the effective use of genre conventions, literary techniques and grammar to create meaningful texts. |
KEY STAGE 4
Students studying the subject at GCSE follow the AQA English Language and AQA English Literature specification. During the course, the following topics are covered:
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Year 10 |
Year 11 |
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GCSE English Literature Paper One Nineteenth century novel: A Christmas Carol Paper Two Modern text: An Inspector Calls Past and Present poetry anthology: Power and Conflict poems GCSE English Language Paper One Reading and writing fiction Paper Two Writing with a viewpoint Spoken Language Assessment |
GCSE English Literature Paper One Shakespeare: Macbeth Nineteenth century novel: A Christmas Carol GCSE English Language Paper Two Reading non-fiction |
For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website:
A LEVEL – ENGLISH LANGAUGE AND LITERAURE
Students studying the subject at A Level follow the AQA specification. During the course the following topics are covered.
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Students studying the subject at A Level follow the AQA specification which draws on the academic field of Stylistics in order to create an integrated English Language and Literature course bringing together literary and non-literary discourses. During the course the following topics are covered: Paper 1 -Telling Stories The aim of this part of the subject content is to allow students to learn about how and why stories of different kinds are told. The term ‘telling’ in the title is deliberately chosen to reflect the twin aspects of how stories are told, and why stories are ‘telling’, or valuable, within societies. Remembered Places Students study the AQA Anthology: Paris. The anthology includes a wide range of text types with a particular emphasis on non-fiction and non-literary material. In this part of the subject content, students explore speech and other genres. They study a wide range of linguistic and generic features, as well as related issues around questions of representation and viewpoint in texts taken from a range of time periods. The anthology offers opportunities for detailed exploration of the ubiquitous nature of narrative and systematic study of the representation of place. Imagined Worlds In this part of the subject content, students explore the imagined worlds of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein which is characterised by unusual narratives, narrators and events. Students also consider key aspects of the texts which place them in particular contexts of production and reception. Students analyse the language choices made by writers in order to study the following:
Poetic Voices Students study poems from one of four poets within the AQA Poetic Voices Anthology:
This part of the subject content is concerned with the nature and function of poetic voice in the telling of events and the presentation of people. In studying the role of language in the construction of perspective, students explore and analyse: • the presentation of time: understanding the past, reviewing past experiences, the manipulation of time • the importance of place: locations and memories, the ways in which these are captured in voice(s), and their effect on individuals how people and their relationships are realised through point of view, attitude, specific registers, physical descriptions, speech and thought • the presentation of events through the poet’s selection of material, the use of narrative frames and other poetic techniques. Paper 2 – Exploring Conflict This part of the subject content focuses on how language choices help to construct ideas of conflict between people, and between people and their societies. Drawing both on their everyday experiences of interaction in different modes and on published texts, students learn about how the language choices writers make are used to express relationships, drive narrative, and construct views about the nature of different societies. They apply their knowledge to the study of texts about individuals in situations of conflict. Writing about Society In this part of the subject content, students study ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini Students explore the ways that writers:
In addition, students develop the skills to adapt and shape the original material (the base text) to respond to different re-creative tasks. Drawing on their studies in 'Writing about Society', students learn how to write a critical commentary to evaluate their writing. They explain their own language choices and analyse their intentions in reshaping the writer’s original material. |
For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website.
A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE
Students studying the subject, English Literature, at A Level follow the AQA Literature B specification. During the course the following topics are covered.
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Year 12 |
Year 13 |
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Paper 1: Aspects of Tragedy Othello Death of a Salesman Tess of the D’Urbervilles or Poetry by John Keats Paper 2: Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing The Handmaid’s Tale Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience by William Blake Non-Exam Assessment Critical Theory Anthology |
Paper 2: Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing The Kite Runner Non-Exam Assessment* Prose: The Awakening or The Virgin and the Gypsy Poetry: Lord Alfred Tennyson or Robert Frost (Applying the Critical Theory Anthology to both prose and poetry) *Text choice for either or both prose and poetry could be subject to change. |
For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website.