The department has fully embedded the most recent Programme of Study for Key Stage 3 English, which is delivered during years seven to nine. Throughout Key Stage 3, students study a range of literature and complete a several written tasks based around a variety of engaging oracy lesson. Students’ work is assessed regularly by class teachers and each unit of study contains a mix of reading and writing. Students are also given regular opportunities to develop their oral skills through drama and speaking and listening activities. In year 7, all students are given one lesson of oracy every week in English. This will culminate in them delivering a speech to their peers and parents on a topic of their choice. Students at Key Stage 3 also have a weekly reading and spelling lesson, we use students learning journals to keep in contact with parents and guardians and to monitor this homework.

In years 10 and 11 all pupils follow the Edexcel specifications in both English Language and English Literature.

The topics of study are detailed below:

Key Stage 3:

Year 7

Introduction to English:

Students read and write a range of texts to give an overview of what English study involves. They write a speech about themselves and deliver it to their peers.

Monsters:

Students study a variety of monsters in classic fiction, such as War of the Worlds and Frankenstein, and learn how to analyse a writer’s use of language in increasing detail. They also produce descriptive writing of their own.

Drama: Romeo and Juliet

Pupils use a range of dramatic approaches to explore the text, working in groups to rehearse and perform key scenes. Scriptwriting skills are also explored in this unit and pupils develop their ability to analyse performance texts.

The Fire Eaters

Students read The Fire Eaters, by David Almond. They develop their ability to respond to questions which focus on analysing language and structure and evaluating the writer’s craft. They also focus on writing to inform and explain by creating an entry for our school website.

Oracy

The students write a formal letter and learn the corrections of this form.

Year 8

Travel Writing:

Students study a range of non-fiction texts in order to develop their evaluation and analysis skills.

Powerful Voices Poetry Scheme:

Students study a range of poems of poems from the Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty first centuries, developing an understanding of how poets use language, structure and form to communicate meaning and of the contexts in which the poem is written.

Class novel:

Each class teacher chooses a novel appropriate to the abilities and interests of their class from the wide selection available in school. Reading, writing and speaking and listening tasks vary according to the themes found in the text.

Macbeth:

Pupils use a range of dramatic approaches to explore the text, working in groups to rehearse and perform key scenes. Students also learn how to write essay responses to performance texts.

Year 9

19^th Century Literature:

Pupils study the context of 19^th Century Literature and various poems by William Blake and William Wordsworth. They complete a comparative essay.

An Inspector Calls:

Pupils read and explore the text using a variety of approaches, including drama, to learn about the characters and themes.

A Christmas Carol:

Speaking and Listening:

Pupils spend time working on and improving their presentation skills before preparing and giving a speech.