Curriculum Overview

Our five-year curriculum outlines a strategic knowledge-based approach across Key Stage 3 and 4, using the skills outlined in the GCSE assessment objectives as the bedrock of our schemes of learning. This means that every single student is offered a broad, varied and stimulating curriculum to ensure that students from Year 7 through to Year 11 are regularly assessed and offered essential learning experiences that prepare them for GCSE English Language and English Literature examinations.

Intent

English is about communication – the key to everything. Understanding the English language and its literature empowers, transforms and connects you to the wider world. 

Implementation

Teachers will:

• Plan and deliver a scheme of work that will focus on the progression of skills, knowledge and understanding over time in reading, writing and speaking;
• Adopt a wide range of engagement strategies [including the use of technologies] to motivate students and secure their learning;
• Provide opportunities for students to work independently and in groups and to demonstrate what they can do in a wide range of contexts including: within the classroom; in assemblies; through the publication and broadcasting of work etc work; 
• Develop strategies and support to ensure that all students:
• Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information;
• Acquire a wide vocabulary;
• Have an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;
• Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage;
• Develop strategies including effective modelling to ensure all students write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences; 
• Plan regular opportunities for students to engage in discussions and make formal presentation so with increasing sophistication, they can elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas;
• Teach students to control their speaking and writing consciously and to use Standard English;
• Teach students the vocabulary they need to discuss their reading, writing and spoken language and to use the elements of spelling, grammar, punctuation;
• Model how to understand the relationships between words, how to understand nuances in meaning, and how to develop their understanding of, and ability to use, figurative language.

Impact

Students will:

• Make good progress from their starting points and achieve well;
• Have a lifelong love of reading both for pleasure and learning;
• Be able to communicate their opinions and feelings confidently in a range of contexts;
• Be able to write fluently in-order to communicate their ideas and emotions to others.

Staff