Curriculum intent

We aim to develop students of English who are challenged and engaged by a curriculum that enthuses students and staff, while fostering a love of language and literature.

Students will gain an appreciation of how literature and language enables us to explore, understand and express our thoughts on a wide range of societal and personal issues. This gained knowledge will teach them something about the world they live in and supports both their academic achievement and their personal wellbeing. This curriculum will enable them to leave school with a life-long competence in reading and communicating with skill and clarity, as well as an appreciation of how we can manipulate and are influenced by language in the wider world, through knowledge of writers’ methods.

Curriculum by year group

Year 7

Term Module Title Texts Skills
Autumn 1 Reading for meaning through the novel Novels available for study:
– Holes;
– Skellig;
– Millions;
– Buddy; and
– The Diary of Anne Frank
Reading skills:
– to be able to analyse writers’ use of language and infer meaning from this;
– to consider the effects on the reader; and
– to select relevant textual reference.
Speaking and listening:
– Responding in role (drama)
2 Creative writing – fairy tales Various traditional fairy tales and modern fairy tales with a twist. Writing skills:
– to develop imaginative ideas;
– to adapt writing for particular purpose, audience and form;
– use appropriate and ambitious vocabulary;
– use sentences for effect and clarity;
– whole text organisation; and
– use punctuation for effect and clarity.
Spring 1 Understanding the media – advertising and marketing Various current print and broadcast advertisement campaigns. Reading skills:
– to select relevant textual reference; and
– to comment on writers’ purpose, – viewpoint and effect on the reader/viewer.
Speaking and listening:
– talking to others (individual presentation).
2 Introduction to Shakespeare – villains Macbeth
Richard III
Othello
Reading skills:
– to be able to analyse writers’ use of language and infer meaning from this;
– to consider the effects on the reader; and
– to consider social and historical implications of a text.
Summer 1 Non-fiction writing – holidays and travel writing Various non-fiction texts Writing skills:
– to develop imaginative ideas;
– to adapt writing for particular purpose, audience and form;
– use appropriate and ambitious vocabulary;
– use sentences for effect and clarity;
– whole text organisation; and
– use punctuation for effect and clarity.
Speaking and listening:
– group discussion/debate.
2 Poetry – love and relationships From Shakespeare to contemporary poetry Reading skills:
– to select relevant textual reference;
– to comment on writers’ purpose, viewpoint and effect on the reader/viewer;
– to consider different interpretations of a text; and
– to make links and comparisons about texts.

Year 8

Term Module Title Texts Skills
Autumn 1 Reading for meaning through the novel Novels available for study:
-The Hunger Games
-The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
-Wonder
Stone Cold
Wilderness
Reading skills:
– to be able to analyse writers’ use of language and infer meaning from this;
– to consider the effects on the reader; and
– to select relevant textual reference
Speaking and listening:
– Responding in role (drama)
2 Creative writing – detective/ crime writing Various detective and crime fiction Writing skills:
– to develop imaginative ideas;
– to adapt writing for particular purpose, audience and form;
– use appropriate and ambitious vocabulary;
– use sentences for effect and clarity;
– whole text organisation; and
– use punctuation for effect and clarity.
Spring 1 Words of war Various poetry, prose and letters Reading skills:
– to select relevant textual reference; and
– to comment on writers’ purpose, viewpoint and effect on the reader/viewer.
Speaking and listening:
– talking to others (individual presentation)
2 Drama script – Willy Russell’s Our Day Out Our Day Out Reading skills:
– to be able to analyse writers’ use of language and infer meaning from this;
– to consider the effects on the reader; and
– to consider social and historical implications of a text.
Summer 1 Victorian monsters Various monstrous characters from Victorian literature. Writing skills:
– to develop imaginative ideas;
– to adapt writing for particular purpose, audience and form;
– use appropriate and ambitious vocabulary;
– use sentences for effect and clarity;
– whole text organisation; and
– use punctuation for effect and clarity.

Year 9

Term Module Title Texts Skills
Autumn 1 Reading for meaning through the novel Novels available for study:
-The Woman in Black
-Lord of the Flies
-To Kill A Mockingbird
-Animal Farm
-Of Mice and Men
Reading skills:
– to be able to analyse writers’ use of language and infer meaning from this;
– to consider the effects on the reader; and
– to select relevant textual reference.
2 Creative writing – black comedy or horror Writing skills:
– to develop imaginative ideas;
– to adapt writing for particular purpose, audience and form;
– use appropriate and ambitious vocabulary;
– use sentences for effect and clarity;
– whole text organisation; and
– use punctuation for effect and clarity.
Spring 1 Film studies Various film trailers, advertisement campaigns. Reading skills:
– to select relevant textual reference; and
– to comment on writers’ purpose, viewpoint and effect on the reader/viewer.
2 Drama script – William Shakespeare Othello
Macbeth
Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Tempest
Reading skills:
– to be able to analyse writers’ use of language and infer meaning from this;
– to consider the effects on the reader; and
– to consider social and historical implications of a text.
Speaking and listening:
– responding in role (drama).
Summer 1 Non-fiction writing – My Life, My Choices Writing skills:
– to develop imaginative ideas;
– to adapt writing for particular purpose, audience and form;
– use appropriate and ambitious vocabulary;
– use sentences for effect and clarity.
– whole text organisation; and
– use punctuation for effect and clarity.
Speaking and listening:
– talking to others (individual presentation).
2 Strong character voice – poetry and prose. Variety of rich texts from Shakespeare to contemporary writers. Reading skills:
– to select relevant textual reference;
– to comment on writers’ purpose, viewpoint and effect on the reader/viewer;
– to consider different interpretations of a text; and
– to make links and comparisons about texts.
Speaking and listening:
– group discussion/debate.

In years 8 and 9 students are set according to ability. In year 9, English and English literature are taught as more clearly defined separate subjects. Assessing pupils’ progress (APP) assessment continues throughout the year, as well as class tests.

Areas of study at key stage 3 include: the novel, reading and writing non-fiction, poetry, Shakespeare, media, creative writing, drama and speaking and listening tasks.

Years 10 and 11: English language and English literature GCSE

Students in year 10 and year 11 follow the AQA syllabus leading to separate GCSE qualifications in English and English literature and are assessed internally via controlled assessments and mock examinations.

In English language, there are two external examinations of up to three hours duration. Students will be equally assessed for reading and writing skills, including the technical accuracy of their spelling, punctuation and grammar.

All students will be required to sit two terminal examinations leading to a separate qualification in GCSE English literature. This will involve the study of texts including Shakespeare, 19th century novels, modern drama and a selection of poetry.

There is also a separate speaking and listening qualification. A sample of year 11 students will have their presentation video recorded as part of the exam board’s moderation process.

GCSE

Exam board: AQA

Qualification:

English Language – GCSE 8700
English Literature – GCSE 8702

Contact:
Mr Ferguson | kferguson@eastleake-ac.org.uk

How will I be assessed?

  • English language – two written exams (1hr 45min each)
  • English literature – two written exams (one 1hr 45min, one 2hr 15min)

English Language

  • Paper 1: Creative reading and writing: unseen fiction reading text and describe/narrate writing
  • Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives: unseen non-fiction reading texts and viewpoints writing

English Literature 

  • Paper 1: Romeo and Juliet
  • Paper 1: 19th century novel (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde or A Christmas Carol)
  • Paper 2: An Inspector Calls
  • Paper 2: Unseen poetry

Contact:
Mr Bullivant | sbullivant@eastleake-ac.org.uk

Mr Ferguson | kferguson@eastleake-ac.org.uk