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English
In our department, we foster an environment where students not only learn but are encouraged to think critically and imaginatively, thriving in the process. We celebrate a love of learning and personal inquiry, recognising that curiosity sparks progress. Our curriculum is knowledge-rich and ambitious, empowering students with a deep understanding of literature, language, and culture. Inclusivity is at our core, embracing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Students thrive because they can think, question and challenge, guiding them towards small wins that lead to greater success.
KS3
Year 7:
We begin your secondary English journey with our Lord of the Flies-inspired creative writing unit, which invites you to step into the role of a marooned child, followed by developing speaking and listening and abstract thinking skills through our love of reading Northern Lights, a concept continued in our study of Shakespeare's play The Tempest – filled with mystery, deception and magic. After the realms of imagination and adventure, you will begin to read a range of non-fiction texts about the history of London and its people, thinking about how language and structure affect you in different ways. Finally, you will explore the depths of poems from diverse voices.
Year 8
In our first term, our poetry comparison unit explores key historical events from around the world and the impact these events have had on a variety of individuals; an opportunity to develop both your contextual knowledge of the world but also your ability to express how texts make you think/feel. We will then read a collection of short stories and explore the key ingredients to creating a good story. Having learned from expert writers, next is your chance to apply these skills to truly terrify your readers through our Gothic-inspired creative writing unit. You will then consider the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet, reflecting on the factors that lead to their end. Finally, our ‘Empowerment’ unit challenges you to consider the issues around identity through transactional writing by writers with different viewpoints.
Year 9
We begin Y9 with a poetry unit exploring voice, culture, and meaning beyond the expected. This is not your typical poetry collection. Rhyme nor Rhythm brings together a bold and diverse range of favourite poems chosen by your English teachers - poems that speak from different continents, cultures, and perspectives. We then explore Shakespeare’s Othello, examining its powerful themes of jealousy, manipulation, identity, and power. Through close reading, drama activities, and analytical discussion, students will develop their understanding of Shakespearean language, character development, and dramatic structure. Then it’s onto a fun and engaging unit exploring the power of non – fiction writing before finishing the year with ‘Animal Farm’ and creative writing.
Click here for some great suggestions for reading choices at KS3: Books for KS3 children aged 11-14 | School Reading List
KS3
Year 10
GCSEs begin in Year 10. We start with An Inspector Calls, a thrilling and unnerving play that will call for your judgement and may challenge your political views. Literature continues with poetry – we compare unseen poems and study the AQA Anthology focused on ‘Power and Conflict’ featuring poets from Blake, Shelly and Wordsworth to Heaney, Armitage and Duffy. We then move onto Macbeth by William Shakespeare, where students are able to experience the Machiavellian plotting of one of literature’s most evil characters (and that’s just his wife). We will study both language papers reading extracts from 19th century fiction writers such as Charlotte Bronte and Mary Shelley as well as composing and drafting our own short stories as well at non- fiction. We will also test the oral component of the GCSE exam through a speech in front of the class on a topic of your choice.
Year 11
We start the term with a study of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, a novella focusing on the selfish miser, Scrooge. The rest of the year is spent revisiting and revising for GCSE Language and Literature exams. There are multiple opportunities to practise all four English exams with a multitude of revision materials provided to our students and revision skills developed throughout the course of the year. There is no coursework or controlled assessement. There is the 100% linear exam assessment at the end of Year 11 consisting of 2 exams for Language and Literature each –accumulating into 4 Exams. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar will now have a direct impact in exams and students will need to focus carefully on improving literacy in order to be successful in their examinations.
English Language GCSE (AQA):
Paper 1 – Fiction (20th Century extract) and Imaginative Writing - 50%
(1 Hour 45 Minutes)
Paper 2 – Non-fiction (19th & 21st Century extracts) and Transactional Writing - 50%
(1 hour 45 minutes)
English Literature GCSE (AQA):
Paper 1 – Shakespeare (Macbeth) and the 19th Century Novel (A Christmas Carol) - 40%
(1 Hour 45 Minutes)
Paper 2 – Modern Texts (An Inspector Calls) and Poetry (Power and Conflict Anthology and unseen) - 60%
(2 Hours 15 minutes)
