Secondary Curriculum

English

Why study English?

The study of English is a fundamental part in making sense of the wider world through a range of literature as well as fostering pupils own reading, writing and oracy skills through creative and analytical opportunities. The Starbank English Faculty aims to give students a rich knowledge of historical and modern literature whilst also developing their vocabulary and the skill set needed to be successful across the curriculum.

Our English Curriculum is wide and rich as it intends to:

  1. Provide students with a life-love love of literacy, reading fluency and writing skill so they can have easier access to the wider curriculum and navigate oneself in the modern world.
  2. Provide pupils with the vocabulary and the confidence to discuss their learning and listen with intent the views and opinion of others whilst developing their oracy skills.
  3. Ensure that students study a wide range of literature from a wide range of contexts in order to help their understanding of the wider world and the physical and emotional wellbeing of the people in it.
  4. Ensure that students secure a range of creative and analytical writing skills that will enable them to be successful in both education and work.
  5. Build concepts sequentially through the 5-year curriculum so that students have opportunities to recall and make links between texts, themes and ideas so that they are able to know and remember enough about the world to one day shape it.

How will I study English?

Pupils will study English Language and English Literature to encourage understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literature. There is a blend of modern, pre-twentieth Century prose, poetry, drama and a variety of fiction and non-fiction from around the world ranging from classics to more modern texts to allow pupils to engage with complex and sophisticated ideas. Pupils will read, reflect and critique constructing their own ideas and gain versatility in their own writing.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

In Year 7, pupils begin by learning about our language journey and how our use of grammar and vocabulary transforms throughout the years. They will then move to focus on the individual journeys as explored in high quality literature such as ‘Oliver Twist’ which introduces them to the social novel and Victorian literature. They explore modern and contemporary short stories and poetry through the theme of ‘relationships’ to see how literature can help us make sense of the world and growing up. Through their investigation, pupils will explore a wide range of perspectives on current issues such as social media to develop personal ideas. They also study Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and build on speaking styles in a range of contexts and develop genre writing inspired and modelled by literature.

In Year 8, students begin by exploring the origins of literature and the English language and how this has transformed over time, through story. They will then develop their understanding of journeys and the experiences of others through ambitious literature, studying dystopian fiction through modern novels which explore oppression and climate change, they also explore debates and authorial intentions about power and the human condition through seminal world plays such as ‘A curious incident of the dog in the night’. Their perspective on identity is challenged through a range of poetry. They will access a range of non-fiction to increase creativity in writing and speaking through engagement with social issues. They will explore Shakespeare’s genre of tragedy-comedy investigating characterisation of the tragic hero and will be introduced to distinctive features of theatre and production through their study of ‘The Tempest’.

In Year 9, pupils start by learning about the rhetoric and think about how writers craft speech for meaning, they then begin to explore journeys around the world and deepen their critical interpretation of challenging literature such as ‘On the purple line’, exploring the impact of poverty and how setting and atmosphere is crafted by writers. They will analyse Shakespeare’s tragedy critically exploring the presentation of men and women through studying a range of literary criticism, with a focus on academic writing skill and the ability to communicate one’s own critical viewpoints. Pupils will be introduced to features of tragedy, familiarising them with villains and deception. They will study modern short stories with a theme of ‘lived experiences’ to understand the ways in which the literary tradition has been used to comment on universal themes and individual life experiences around the world. Pupils will have the opportunity to develop descriptive and narrative writing through conscious crafting and build on effective public speaking.

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

During Year 10 and 11, pupils will study a range of literary fiction and literary non-fiction texts for GCSE Language and GCSE Literature. They will use critical material to enhance interpretation and articulate personal ideas clearly and cleverly. Pupils will study the set texts for the literature exam; Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, AQA Poetry anthology of Power and Conflict, Unseen Poetry, and An Inspector Calls.

In addition, they will practise unseen analysis of a range of 19th, 20th and 21st century texts both fiction and non-fiction for GCSE Language and unseen poetry analysis for GCSE Literature. They will examine devices to manipulate writing and craft ideas.

Assessment at Key Stage 4

GCSE English Language AQA 8700

GCSE English Language Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes)
  • 80 marks
  • 50% of GCSE
  • Section A: Reading literature fiction text
  • Section B: Descriptive or narrative writing

GCSE English Language Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes)
  • 80 marks
  • 50% of GCSE
  • Section A: Reading one non-fiction and one literary non-fiction text
  • Section B: Writing to present a viewpoint

NEA: Spoken Language

Overview Focus
  • Teacher sets throughout course
  • Marked by teacher
  • Separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)
  • Presenting
  • Responding to questions and feedback
  • Use of Standard English

GCSE English Literature AQA 8702

GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes)
  • 64 marks
  • 40% of GCSE
  • Section A: Shakespeare: Macbeth
  • Section B: The 19th century novel: Jane Eyre

GCSE English Literature Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

Overview Focus
  • Written exam (2 hours 15 minutes)
  • 96 marks
  • 60% of GCSE
  • Section A: Modern text: drama: An Inspector Calls
  • Section B: Poetry: Power and conflict anthology
  • Section C: Unseen poetry

Enrichment

The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Visits include a local library tour to foster a love for words, a visit to the theatre to enhance appreciation of stagecraft and a Bronte parsonage tour to support empathy and understanding of socio-historic context of Jane Eyre. We also welcome publishers and authors to the school to run workshops. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions such as performing Shakespeare to increase engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. This includes spoken word poetry performances, dramatic readings, and film clubs.

Careers

The study of English can lead to a range of career options, opening doors in publishing and advertising, journalism, education, and legal fields. Careers can range from reporter, solicitor, teacher, and content editor.

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