English

“If you know how to read, then the whole world opens up to you."

Barack Obama

Subject Intent:

At the heart of our passion for English, as a team of professional subject specialists, we are united in our belief that Literature is the centre-piece of all English study: we learn how to read and how to write from reading great examples of writing. Our curriculum is designed with this belief at its core and is shaped accordingly, with the trajectory to GCSE success as the end goals. Moreover, our curriculum is fully inclusive, enabling all students to access the knowledge and skills regardless of their starting points.

We built the curriculum with the intent that students will:

Experience a broad, deep and knowledge rich curriculum through an overview of literature over time, enabling students to place texts within their contexts but also to place texts in relation to other texts, with similar and different concerns. This literary timeline constructs our work in KS3.
Be literate and numerate through developing language skills within and from our study of literary texts, interleaving a variety of story structures for creative writing. The curriculum focuses on the development of inference skills as the means by which we can understand the complexity of writers’ messages and intentions.
Have high expectations for their behaviour and achievement through developing tolerance of, appreciation of and sensitivity towards viewpoints, attitudes and principles across cultures and times.
Develop their cultural, moral, social, mental and physical development through contextual links to literature, interleaving discussions and considerations of the world around us in all it richness and diversity, whilst simultaneously understanding how to write non-fiction through this process. In particular, cultural capital is developed through the priority given to Shakespeare – looking at what he wrote, looking forward through literary time at his shaping influence, but also connecting texts back from their contexts to his work.
Be prepared for life beyond the school by helping to shape students’ approach to life, with a view to them being accepting and non-judgmental in the modern world.

Subject Implementation:

The curriculum builds from year 7 to 11, focusing, at Key Stage 3, on a literary timeline which is used as a springboard to enable students to look back and look forward within genres and time periods. This develops understanding of the inter-relational nature of literary texts. At Key Stage 4, the curriculum focuses on the Literature GCSE and then the Language GCSE, whilst there is constant emphasis on the inter-connections between the 2 disciplines.

Core skills are revisited, however, knowledge is built on foundations from previous study. Whilst reinforcement and retention of previously learnt knowledge is addressed relentlessly, building a deeper and more coherent understanding is key to preparation for further study. Retrieval and revision are central aspects of our pedagogy.
Across both key stages, pupils build a knowledge of the features of different types of literary text including those from different time periods and continents. This allows pupils to develop cultural capital and further establish an interest in literature that reflects changes in society as well as shaping our understanding of the modern world.
Writing skills intrinsically linked to the texts studied, allow pupils to develop and craft their own literary techniques and actively encourages the development of personal expression when creating both fiction and non-fiction texts.
In class feedback is used to track understanding; allowing bespoke planning to occur as a result. There are regular formal assessments linked to the scheme of learning and the GCSE assessment objectives. On-going assessment occurs through teacher monitoring of classwork and discussions with pupils. Outcomes are analysed and discussed within the department and interventions and extra support implemented where appropriate. Specific groups such as SEND, DP, MA are closely monitored and intervention, where necessary, is planned in order to reduce gaps.
A blended learning approach is used to promote and develop independent learning through the medium of Microsoft TEAMS. TEAMS is used to enhance home learning and is further supported by knowledge organisers, lesson PowerPoints and any additional resources needed. These are all uploaded to TEAMS and are designed to assist students with their blended learning. Teachers will engage with students through feedback which will enable them to continue to develop and make progress.

Subject Enrichment:

In the English department, we believe that all students, regardless of socio-economic background, are entitled to our enrichment provision. As such, we endeavour to make all enrichment experiences accessible to all, basing as much as we can within school.

Enrichment includes:

Competitions, often in liaison with the library, to develop reading and writing skills
Live theatre in school from touring companies
Visits from authors and other guest speakers – such as actors and performers
Subscription to ‘The Day’ Newspaper allowing all students to be able to access well written non-fiction texts and news articles along with activities that stretch and challenge thinking skills
Homework and life skills clubs are accessible for any students who require further support
After school debate club is available for any students who want to strengthen and develop their oracy skills

Subject Impact:

In English, our curriculum will:

Ensure the curriculum builds an understanding of the breadth and wealth of texts that have created our literary heritage.
Develop well-read citizens equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to actively engage with adult life. In addition, to provide students with the skills to be able to articulate their viewpoints on a variety of societal issues.
Develop pupils with an ability to critically think about the modern world and give them the confidence and skills to interact with the world around them.
Provide pupils with a range of vocabulary to become confident writers, enabling them to produce a range of writing styles that will allow them to access further learning and employment opportunities beyond school.
Through the study of the history of Literature, develop a cultural capital intrinsically linked to their understanding of what has shaped the world we live in today, allowing them to appreciate how society has shaped literature and the messages we can apply as citizens today.