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English

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The English Department is committed to equipping students with ‘Language for Life’. We believe that learners should be able to communicate effectively and it is our aim to ensure that all students leave with the skills they need for reading, writing and speaking and listening beyond the classroom, as well as a lasting curiosity, interest and enjoyment in English.

English

Home > Learning  > Curriculum and Subjects > English

The English Department is committed to equipping students with ‘Language for Life’. We believe that learners should be able to communicate effectively and it is our aim to ensure that all students leave with the skills they need for reading, writing and speaking and listening beyond the classroom, as well as a lasting curiosity, interest and enjoyment in English.

We wish to ensure the highest level of achievement for each student and enable them to work independently and as part of a team in a wide variety of activities by creating an atmosphere where students give their very best.  We encourage students to challenge and question texts and ideas, to consider alternative points of view and arrive at their own conclusion. Students are supported through personalised planning, marking and tracking to ensure every student succeeds.

The study of English covers texts, language and ideas from several hundred years ago right up to breaking news. Students enjoy opportunities to comment on a range of texts from different ages, cultures and genres, making links between them and exploring how English has evolved. Creativity is encouraged and students feel confident to experiment and expand their own writing experiences.

We are constantly reviewing our Key Stage 3 curriculum to ensure it meets national requirements and prepares students effectively for Key Stage 4. Regular assessments in reading, writing and speaking and listening are carried out across the academic year in order to chart progress.

Homework at Key Stage 3 is a mix of mini projects and weekly tasks set by the classroom teacher designed to develop independent reading and writing skills and creativity.

Year 7 English is taught within the Opening Minds curriculum.

Units covered in Year 7: Units covered in Year 8: Units covered in Year 9:

You are Unique:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • Non-Fiction: Coventry Childhood
  • Narrative Writing (with the aim of entering a competition run by the BBC)
  • Autobiographic poetry.

Outcast:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • The Ruby in the Smoke
  • 19th Century Non-Fiction Anthology
  • Narrative Writing (with the aim of entering a competition run by the BBC)

The Other:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • Frankenstein
  • Letter Writing
  • Gothic Short Story

Higher Faster Stronger:

Within this unit of learning pupils will cover:

  • Stone Cold
  • Persuasive Writing
  • Non-Fiction Anthology
 Heroes and Villains:

  • Lord of the Flies
  • Speech Writing
  • Writing Articles

Conflict:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • Othello
  • Descriptive Writing
  • Conflict Poetry

Mystery and Adventure:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • Sherlock Holmes stories
  • Personal Account Writing
  • Ballad Poetry

Love:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • Othello
  • Descriptive Writing
  • Conflict Poetry

An Inspector Calls:

Within this unit of study pupils will cover:

  • An Inspector Calls
  • Non-Fiction Reading
  • Writing Articles

It is our aim throughout these units of study to build on the challenging new Key Stage 2 curriculum and to work effectively to prepare pupils for Key Stage 4. Our curriculum is focused around the following key areas in Key Stage 3:

  • Understanding how to write well-structured and cohesive texts as well as identify these features in the work of other writers.
  • Working on skills for developing spelling, punctuation and grammar to be able to write their own texts with accuracy.
  • Developing and understanding of meaning and reading for meaning within texts.
  • Understanding the importance of context.
  • Using evidence to support ideas.
  • Developing their understanding of writer’s methods and how they are employed.

Students develop their Reading, Writing and Communication skills throughout Years 10 and 11, culminating in two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature.

Students prepare for AQA English Language and English Literature which consists only of external examinations. These units cover a range of texts and allow students to demonstrate their understanding of key literacy skills, the study of literary works, as well as their own creativity.

AQA English Language

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (50%) Paper 2: Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives (50%) Non-examination Assessment: Speaking and Listening (separate endorsement)

Section A: Reading

Students answer 4 questions based on a short extract from a literary text.

Section B: Writing

Descriptive or narrative writing.

Section A: Reading

Students answer 4 questions based on 2 non-fiction texts.

Section B Writing:

Writing to present a viewpoint

 Students presentations, responses to questions and use of Standard English are assessed throughout the course.

AQA English Literature

The course comprises the following units:

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the Nineteenth Century Novel (40% of GCSE) Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry (60% of GCSE)

Students answer one question on each of the texts studied:

Section A: Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Section B: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

1h45m

Students answer one question from each section:

Section A: An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley

Section B: Poetry Anthology

Section C: Unseen Poetry

2h15m
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