Key Stage 3 – English
Students follow a varied curriculum in Key Stage 3, with each unit covering a range of skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening to prepare students to begin their GCSE English course in Term 3 of Year 9. Each year students study a novel, a play, a selection of poetry, media analysis and a unit on producing non-fiction texts.
In Year 7, students study:
- The Greek Myths
- 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by William Shakespeare
- A non-fiction unit on ‘Monsters’
- An ‘Animals in Poetry’ unit
- A media unit on the film ‘Matilda’, based on Roald Dahl’s book
- A modern play
In Year 8, students study:
- ‘Coram Boy’ by Jamila Gavin
- A non-fiction unit on Journalism
- A ‘Poetry and Art’ unit
- A media unit on ‘Dr Who’ or Superheroes
- ‘Dracula’; a modern stage adaptation of Stoker’s novel.
In Year 9, students study:
- ‘Stone Cold’ by Robert Swindells or ‘The Woman in Black’ by Susan Hill
- ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare
- 'Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion' in preparation for the Year 9 English Exam
- A media unit analysing Shakespeare on Film
- Understanding and Producing Non-fiction for GCSE English Language
- Creative Writing
- Speaking and Listening Skills for GCSE English Language
Key Stage 4 – English Language and English Literature
The GCSE courses followed by the majority of students are examined by AQA (English Language 4705, English Literature 4710). Students must work towards two compulsory GCSEs, beginning their course in Term 3 of Year 9 and completing Controlled Assessment tasks and modular exams throughout Years 9, 10 and 11.
Current foci include: -
- Understanding and Producing Non-fiction Texts
- Speaking and Listening
- Extended Reading
- Spoken Language Study
- Creative Writing
- Texts from Other Cultures
- Poetry across Time
- Modern drama
- Shakespeare
- Prose from English Literary Heritage
Assessment takes place in the form of 8 Controlled Assessment tasks, worth 60% of the final English Language grade and 25% of the final English Literature grade. Students also sit 3 examination modules, with 40% of the assessment taking place at the end of the course, in the summer of Year 11.
The English Language GCSE course is also followed as a stand alone qualification by students re-sitting elements of their GCSE qualifications in Year 12.
Key Stage 4 – English
Some students who follow alternative curriculum routes complete a compulsory GCSE in English, administered by AQA (4700) Students begin their course in Term 3 of Year 9 and complete Controlled Assessment tasks and modular exams throughout Years 9, 10 and 11.
Current foci include: -
- Understanding and Producing Non-fiction Texts
- Speaking and Listening
- Understanding Creative Texts
- Producing Creative Texts
Assessment takes place in the form of 6 Controlled Assessment tasks, worth 60% of the final grade. Students also sit 1 exam. 40% of the assessment taking place at the end of the course, in the summer of Year 11.