English Language & Literature
Available at KS3, 4 & 5
Subject Vision & Intent
Our KS3 curriculum builds on the knowledge and skills acquired at KS2, providing students with opportunities to further develop as confident, empathetic and critical readers and writers. Across KS3, students will read in depth, and for pleasure, a wide range of varied and challenging texts. Through literature, exploration of the presentation of key messages, morals and behaviours within a variety of texts will allow them to develop a wider appreciation of their own identity and their sense of place in the world, promoting a resilience which will extend well beyond their years at PGS. Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences, they will refine their drafting skills, developing their resilience in writing at length, crafting writing which is sophisticated and engaging. They will develop an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, increasing their understanding of grammatical terms. Opportunities to develop speaking and listening skills will promote confidence and allow students to communicate their ideas and emotions to others, helping them to participate fully as active members of society.
Our curriculum beyond KS3 continues to broaden students’ experiences of a range of high quality and challenging texts, refining and honing their skills so that they are able to craft texts which are meet the needs of specific audiences and purposes. They will further develop their critical thinking skills to enable them to play an active part in wider society. Students will develop their written communication and organisational skills which will allow them to demonstrate their abilities in examinations. They will be taught to write formal and academic essays as well as writing imaginatively. Throughout the curriculum we will promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word.
Aims & Expected Impacts
Encouraging a Lifelong Passion for Reading: Expose students to a range of authors and styles of writing to encourage long term positive reading habits.
Promoting Critical Thinking: Encourage analytical skills through the examination of texts, fostering a deeper understanding of content.
Promoting High Standards of Literacy: Ensure students maintain a strong command of the written and spoken word.
Enhancing Grammatical Knowledge: Equip students with the knowledge and expertise to identify and demonstrate their understanding of key grammatical features.
Developing Sophistication in Reading and Writing: Enable students to craft sophisticated writing and read with a critical view.
Termly Curriculum Overview
Key Stage 3 & 4
Year Group | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
Y7 | Modern Drama: Dracula
19th Century Text: A Christmas Carol | 19th Century Text: A Christmas Carol
Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Poetry: Past and Present
Short Stories: Myths and Legends |
Home Learning: | Weekly Sparx Reader | Weekly Sparx Reader | Weekly Sparx Reader |
Y8 | Dystopian Fiction
Modern Fiction: Lord of the Flies | Modern Fiction: Lord of the Flies
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet | Non-Fiction: Female Voices
Poetry and Prose: Diverse Texts |
Home Learning: | Weekly Sparx Reader | Weekly Sparx Reader | Weekly Sparx Reader |
Y9 | Modern Fiction: Animal Farm
19th Century Fiction: Gothic Fiction | Modern Drama: Blood Brothers
Poetry Past and Present | Poetry Past and Present
Speaking and Listening |
Home Learning: | Weekly Sparx Reader | Weekly Sparx Reader | Weekly Sparx Reader |
Y10 |
An Inspector Calls
Language Paper 1
| Frankenstein
Language Paper 2 | Power & Conflict Poetry
NEA: Speaking & Listening |
Home Learning: | Weekly Sparx Reader and Revision Activities | Weekly Sparx Reader and Revision Activities | Weekly Sparx Reader and Revision Activities |
Y11 | Unseen Poetry
Macbeth | Revision of all Language and Literature papers |
Revision of all Language and Literature papers
|
Home Learning: | Weekly Revision Activities | Weekly Revision Activities | Weekly Revision Activities |
Key Stage 5 (A Level) English Language
Y12 | Paper 1: Text Variations and Representations | Paper 1: Text Variations and Representations | NEA: Original Writing and Commentary |
Paper 2: Language Diversity – Gender and Social Groups | Paper 2: Language Diversity- Occupation and Power & Region | Paper 2: Language Diversity- Ethnicity
NEA: Language Investigation | |
Home Learning: | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks |
Y13 | NEA: Commentary
Paper 1: CLA Spoken | Paper 1: CLA Written | Paper 1 Revision |
NEA: Language Investigation
Paper 2: Language Change | Paper 2: World Englishes/ Language Discourses | Paper 2 Revision | |
Home Learning: | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks |
Key Stage 5 (A Level) English Literature
Y12 | Paper 1: Introduction to ‘Love Through the Ages’, Othello and unseen Poetry
| Paper 1: Othello, Pre-1900 Poetry and Unseen Poetry | Paper 1: Pre-1900 Poetry
NEA: Independent Critical Study |
Paper 2: Introduction to ‘Modern Literature’ and Feminine Gospels | Paper 2: Streetcar | Paper 2: Unseen Prose
NEA: Independent Critical Study | |
Home Learning: | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks |
Y13 | Paper 1: Pre-1900 Poetry, Wuthering Heights and Unseen Prose
| Paper 1: Wuthering Heights and Unseen Prose
| Paper 1 Revision |
Paper 2: Handmaid’s Tale | Paper 2: Handmaid’s Tale and Streetcar Comparison
| Paper 2 Revision | |
Home Learning: | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks |
Key Stage 5 (A Level) English Language & Literature
Y12 | Paper 1: Paris Anthology | Paper 1: John Donne Poetry | Paper 1: Paris Anthology
NEA: Making Connections |
Paper 2: Handmaid’s Tale | Paper 2: Handmaid’s Tale and Streetcar | Paper 2: Streetcar | |
Home Learning: | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks |
Y13 | Paper 1: Paris Anthology
NEA: Making Connections | Paper 1: Paris Anthology and revision for Paper 1 | Paper 1 Revision |
Paper 2: Gatsby and Recreative Writing | Paper 2: Gatsby, Recreative Writing and revision for Paper 2 | Paper 2 Revision | |
Home Learning: | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks | Independent Learning Journal and directed tasks |
Assessments / Examinations
At KS3, formal assessments will be completed across the year focussing on reading and writing skills. These will be assessed by the teacher, with guidance on where students can make improvements and time given for students to complete for green for growth. There will be regular opportunities throughout the year for summative feedback such as verbal feedback from the teacher, peer and self-assessment tasks.
At KS4, formal assessments will be completed throughout each topic. Students will complete these in exam conditions. These will be assessed by the teacher, with guidance on where students can make improvements and time given for students to complete for green for growth.
GCSE Exam Board: AQA
A-Level Exam Board: AQA
Home Learning
A Parents' Guide to Sparx Reader
In years 7-10, home learning is completed weekly through the Sparx Reader online platform. Sparx Reader helps every student to read regularly, which is incredibly important for building literacy skills such as comprehension, reading fluency and expanding vocabulary. The software will gauge the level of book that is most appropriate for each student’s reading ability and assign them an online book to read. They can choose from a range of ebooks at their appropriate level and as they read, they will answer questions to check their comprehension skills and that they are reading carefully.
You can support your child with Sparx Reader by helping to provide them with a quiet space where they can focus on their reading. You could also encourage them by asking them about the book they’re reading; what aspects they’re enjoying, or what characters and events they’ve recently read about.
In years 10-11, students complete weekly tasks which help them to put into practise the knowledge and skills they have learnt in lessons.
Enrichment / Personal Development
Students can become involved in the weekly debate club which can lead to opportunities to participate in regional and national debating competitions. There are also opportunities for theatre visits and trips to significant places linked with famous authors such as the Bronte Parsonage Museum at Haworth.
Careers
Journalist, Editor, Researcher, Teacher, Web Content Manager, Librarian, Scriptwriter, Content Creator, Proof-reader, Writer, Social Media Executive