English
Intent Statement
Our primary aim is to engage students with their rich literary heritage. Our thematic curriculum allows students to explore a wide range of vibrant texts, both canonical and modern, and from a diverse range of writers. We develop students’ awareness of global and local issues and embed an understanding of their own heritage through local cultural capital in our curriculum. We create opportunities for self-expression through writing and help students to develop their individual voices. We prepare our students for life beyond the classroom by teaching functional literacy so that they can write clearly, fluently and accurately. We nurture the skills of life-long verbal communication through a range of speaking and listening activities, which build confidence and help our students to articulate themselves with clarity and expression
Every half-term students study literature and language on a different theme. Within each theme students, study a variety of poetry, drama, prose and non-fiction texts as well as writing for audience and purpose. Work will be assessed in one of the following ways:
- extract analysis
- extended writing (either narrative/descriptive or transactional)
- text comparison
- written evaluation
Each scheme of learning embeds all of the assessment objectives for the AQA GCSE language paper. Within each half-term, one skill will have a discrete focus, however all assessment objectives will also be covered holistically. In Year 9, students will have the opportunity to gain an AQA accredited qualification in English and then the majority of students will gain the AQA English Language GCSE with some continuing the Step-Up route.
