Our Curriculum

English

Subject Leader: Miss K Donkin

Reading Coordinator: Mrs C Ellis

Post 16 Coordinator: Mr G Bone

If you wish to learn more about our curriculum please contact one of the leaders above by clicking on their name.
 

Key Stage 4 

English Language GCSE Examination

Exam Board: AQA

Course Overview

The AQA English Language enables students to develop the skills needed to read, understand and analyse a wide range of texts. It also encourages pupils to write in a variety of genres and styles.

Candidates are encouraged to read a wide range of ninetieth, twentieth and twenty-first century fiction and non-fiction texts to prepare them for the range of texts they could encounter in the examination.

Pupils will be assessed by completing two exams both containing a reading and writing element. Each examination will be 1 hour and 45 minutes. There will also be separate internal assessment of the pupils’ speaking and listening skills.

English Literature GCSE Examination 

Exam Board: AQA

Course Overview

In English Literature, pupils will develop their ability to independently interpret a range of texts. They will develop an appreciation and understanding of how authors achieve their purpose through the use of appropriate literary techniques.  Through the study of plays, novels and poetry they will develop personal responses to a range of literary works.

Pupils will complete two examinations at the end of the two year course.

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel.
Paper 2: Modern texts and Poetry (anthology of selected poems and unseen poetry).


Key Stage 5

GCE Advanced Level English Language

Exam Board: OCR
Level: 3

Course Overview

During the first year, students study language use within different social contexts focusing on how meanings are created through lexical choices and sentence construction as well as comparing and contrasting different modes of language communication. For the second year, students study how children acquire speech language between the ages of 0 – 7 years and how the English language has evolved over the past 350 years. The coursework unit involves an analytical investigation into how language is used. Students also create an academic poster, summarising the findings of the topic.  This is a two-year qualification, with all examinations completed at the end of the second year of teaching.

A Level Assessment: 80% examination (2 examinations worth 40% each), 20% coursework.

GCE Advanced Level English Literature

Exam Board: AQA
Level: 3

Course Overview

During the first year, students study a selection of poetry, a novel and a play which are thematically linked as examples of Political and Social Protest Writing. For the second year, the texts focus on the genre of Tragedy, and pupils read a Shakespeare play alongside a modern drama and a further selection of poetry. They develop their analytical skills and engage in debates about literary ideas as well as looking at how to craft academic essays. Pupils also complete two coursework essays as part of this qualification, applying different critical theories to texts of their own choice. This is a two year qualification, with all examinations completed at the end of the second year of teaching.

A Level Assessment: 80% examination (2 examinations worth 40% each), 20% coursework.

GCSE English Re-sit

Exam Board: AQA
Level:

Course Overview

The AQA English Language course enables students to develop the skills needed to read, understand and analyse a wide range of texts. It also encourages pupils to write in a variety of genres and styles.

Candidates are encouraged to read a wide range of ninetieth, twentieth and twenty-first century fiction and non-fiction texts to prepare them for the range of texts they could encounter in the examination.

Pupils will be assessed by completing two examinations both containing a reading and writing element. Each examination will be 1 hour and 45 minutes. There will also be separate internal assessment of the pupil’s speaking and listening skills.

A Level Assessment:  100% Examination


Curriculum Content

Year 7

Term 1: How can my knowledge of word classes, grammar and punctuation help my journey in English? / How can language methods create effects?
Term 2: The Giver - How are themes used to create an engaging narrative?
Term 3: Noughts and Crosses - How is stagecraft used to shape meanings in drama?
Term 4: Romeo and Juliet - What conventions of a tragedy are used in Romeo and Juliet?
Term 5: How are methods used to create effects in non-fiction?
Term 6: What ideas about the natural world are conveyed through poetry? / How do writers use language to shape meaning?

Year 8

Term 1: In what ways is Frankenstein a Gothic text?
Term 2: What methods does engaging fiction include and how do I use them myself?
Term 3: What ideas about society are explored in 'The Signalman'?
Term 4: How are methods used to create effects in non-fiction texts?
Term 5: How are methods used to create effects in different genres?
Term 6: What are the key conventions of Shakespearean Tragedy? / How do writers use methods to convey their experiences?

Year 9

Term 1: Animal Farm - How are conventions of the genre used to create meaning in dystopian texts?
Term 2: How are narratives used to convey perspectives on wider issues?
Term 3: how are characters constructed to convey ideas and reflect context?
Term 4: How are perspectives conveyed in protest poetry?
Term 5: How do writers use symbolism and literary allusions to create meaning? 
Term 6: How do writers convey their perspectives to readers? / How is poetry used to explore ideas about the world around us?

Year 10

Term 1: How does Kelly use DNA to present ideas about human nature? / How can I effectively deliver a coherent and engaging speech?
Term 2: How does Dickens present Scrooge and his journey to redemption?
Term 3: What warnings does Shakespeare give his audience through the downfall of Macbeth?
Term 4: how are methods used to present ideas about places? / How are meanings shaped in non-fiction texts?
Term 5: How are methods used to present ideas about power? / How are meanings shaped in fiction texts?
Term 6: How do writers craft meanings?

Year 11

Term 1: How do poets present ideas about power and conflict? / How do writers use methods to convey their perspective?
Term 2: How can I engage with an extract to create a developed response to a question?
Term 3: How do writers use methods to create effects in texts?
Term 4: How are methods used to shape meanings and reader responses in a range of texts? 
Term 5: How can I structure effective responses to exam questions?

 

Key Stage 5 Curriculum Content

OCR GCE A Level English Language

Year 12

Term 1: Developing Contextual Understanding, Learning Grammar and Lexis Terminology.
Term 2: Examining Features of Spoken Texts, Introducing the Linguistic Frameworks.
Term 3: Comparing and Contrasting Texts.
Term 4: The Impact of Technology on the English Language.
Term 5: Gender and Power - Looking at Language Through a Conceptual Lens.
Term 6: Exploring Language Use, Introduction to the Language Investigation.

Year 13

Term 1: Language Investigation  and reviewing Year 1 work
Term 2: Completing Investigations and Child Language Acquisition
Term 3: Topical Writing and Language Change
Term 4: Exam preparation and synoptic work
Term 5: Final revision and exam preparation

AQA GCE A Level Literature

Year 12

Term 1: Introduction to Tragedy and Shakespeare’s Othello
Term 2: Othello and Keats’ Poetry
Term 3: Keats’ Poetry and Death of a Salesman
Term 4: Critical Coursework Essay and Introduction to Political and Social Protest Writing
Term 5: The Kite Runner and second critical coursework essay
Term 6: Mock Exams and Feedback

Year 13

Term 1: Critical Coursework Essay and The Handmaid’s Tale
Term 2: The Handmaid’s Tale and Mock Revision
Term 3: Blake and Othello Revision
Term 4: Revision of Political and Social Protest texts / Death of a Salesman and Keats links
Term 5: Final revision and exam preparation


Useful Information

Suggested Revision Guides and Books

Key Stage 3

KS3 English Complete Study & Practice. Publisher: CGP.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for KS3 - Study Guide. Publisher: CGP.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for KS3 – Workbook. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for KS3 – Workbook.
KS3 English Complete Coursebook. Published: Letts.

 

Key Stage 4

Snap Revision Guides. Publisher: Collins (Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, DNA, Power and Conflict Anthology Poems - AQA, Unseen Poetry, AQA Reading, AQA Writing)
Snap Revision Workbooks. Publisher: Collins (Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, DNA, Power and Conflict Anthology Poems - AQA, Unseen Poetry, AQA Reading, AQA Writing)

 

Key Stage 5 Literature

York Notes Revision Guides - Blake, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Kite Runner, Othello, Death of a Salesman and Keats’ Poetry.

Out of School Learning (OSL) and Extra-Curricular Activities

  • GCSE OSL runs every Monday after school from 3pm-4pm.
  • KS5 OSL runs every Tuesday after school from 3-4pm in the Library.
  • During World Book Week there are opportunities for pupils to sign up to sessions with visiting authors, illustrators and writers.
  • Various theatre trips and workshops take place each year - this year to the Marlowe Theatre, The Light cinema and Waterstones.