English is the means by which communication takes place in all walks of life. Across the world, English is a recognised and widely spoken language, and we want our students to be confident, accurate and expressive in their use of written and spoken English. English constantly changes and evolves and amongst other subjects holds the key to developing independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations who work hard to achieve their best.

Key Stage 3
At KS3, students are exposed to a number of different genres of texts to ensure that students experience a rich, broad and balanced curriculum. By the end of KS3, students will have studied: plays, contemporary novels, Gothic fiction and Greek myths, Shakespeare and non-fiction texts. Fiction texts have been carefully chosen to allow exposure to a variety of texts that explore different issues that are prevalent in today’s society. The texts selected also allow students to see the world from other people’s perspective. These texts are all suitably challenging and will allow teachers to stretch and challenge students, whilst preparing students for a happy and successful life in modern Britain.

A concept driven approach has been used when designing the KS3 curriculum to allow students to have a holistic view and make links between the themes within the texts they study. These concepts include: power, guilt, consequences, supernatural and responsibility. Students will acquire a wide vocabulary through exposure to a wide variety of texts. Students will also focus on writing for a purpose, including writing to: describe, inform and persuade.

GCSE English Language
Students will be assessed by means of two examinations where students analyse unseen fiction and non-fiction texts. In addition, they will be required to write a narrative piece and two pieces of transactional writing that shows awareness of audience and purpose. 

GCSE Literature
Students will be assessed by means of two examinations where students will study both modern and pre-20th-century literature. This includes Shakespeare, a 19th century novel and a variety of poetry.

How the course is assessed:

English Language. Eduqas. 100% examination

English Language Paper 1 - 1 hour 45 minutes (40% of overall grade)
Section A of this paper will require students to read an extract of fiction from the 20th century. Students will answer 5 questions about the text that require them to retrieve specific information, analyse language and structure and then evaluate a given statement about the text. Section B of this paper will require students to write a narrative with a choice of 4 titles. 

English Language Paper 2 – 2 hours (60% of overall grade)
Section A of this paper will require students to read two non-fiction texts. Students will answer questions that use the skills of synthesis and inference, they will analyse language and they will compare the views and perspectives of the writers of the two texts. Section B of this paper will require students to write two transactional writing tasks (letter, articles reviews, speeches, guides) and show awareness of purpose and audience.
 
English Literature. AQA. 100% examination:

English Literature Paper 1 - 1 hour 45 minutes (40% of overall grade)
Students will be required to answer questions about ‘Macbeth’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’. Students will be given a section of each text and will have to analyse the extract and how it links to the rest of the play/novel, based on a specific theme or character.

English Literature Paper 2- 2 hours 15 minutes (60% of overall grade)
Students will be required to answer a question about the play ‘An Inspector Calls’. They will be given a choice of two questions focusing on theme or character. The next section of the exam focuses on poetry. Students will answer a question about a named poem from a pre-studied cluster and how it compares to another poem from the cluster. They will then answer two questions on previously unseen poems.

The final element of the course is a speaking and listening assessment which requires students to give a speech about a given topic to an audience. This is accredited separately and does not contribute to the overall grade for English.

Other information
English is a compulsory course at Key Stage 4, and, as such, is able to offer a number of different routes through GCSE, based on individual student performance.

In addition, throughout the course, students will be offered opportunities to enhance their study of English by partaking in excursions to see live theatre performances, out of the Academy revision activities, and will be taught by enthusiastic staff, who are dedicated to students’ achievement. Throughout the course, students will be targeted for support and revision, suited to their individual needs.

Curriculum Plans
Curriculum plans for English can be viewed from the links below.