English

Key skills (subject specific) that are developed:

English at All Saints is taught with relish where lessons are designed and delivered by specialists and enthusiasts for the subject who dedicate time and energy in developing excellent and engaging lessons where all students are able to enjoy and achieve. Lessons are catered to allow maximum opportunity for discussion and the development of individual response. As a core subject, English plays a central role in helping students develop into confident writers, analytical readers and fluent speakers. Our programme of study provides ample opportunities for students to study a range of literary and non-fiction texts belonging to the 19th, 20th and 21st century. Our classes are designed to embed information technology and moving image which act as great stimulus to the learning experience of students. 

We, in the English Department take great pride in organising a number of interclass competitions. From poetry competitions, Spelling Bee and debates just to name a few, student participation and feedback indicate how these opportunities have contributed to making their learning experience at All Saints a truly rewarding one. Students carry out a number of projects which provides a platform for students to demonstrate strong research and planning skills, working in a team as well as developing strong communication skills. The study of English at All Saints is dynamic and engaging adding value to the learning experience of our students. 

 

In summary students are taught these specific skills in the subject: 

  • Read and understand texts from a range of genres and time periods

  • Make links and connections between texts and social, historical and literary contexts

  • Draw comparisons and contrasts between texts

  • Explore and analyse impact of writer’s language choices using key terminology

  • Explore and analyse the structure of texts using key terminology

  • Select and embed quotations

  • Memorise quotations

  • Write analytical essays in an appropriately academic register

  • Summarise texts

  • Articulate own opinions and those of others with fluency both verbally and in writing

  • Use grammar and punctuation with accuracy

  • Use sophisticated vocabulary deliberately and with precision

  • Identify and apply key techniques used in creative and descriptive writing

  • Identify and apply key techniques used in argumentative and persuasive writing

 

 

KS3

Summary

At Key Stage 3 students follow a rich and varied curriculum designed to engage and challenge them as learners. Students are taught to acquire high standards of communication within the spoken and written word. Students read from a wide range of genres and are encouraged to respond critically and creatively. The range of works studied covers pre-1914 and contemporary literature including prose, poetry and drama. Students also study seminal world literature and two Shakespeare plays. Students are also encouraged to read independently to develop and appreciation and love of reading. 

Students are taught to write for a variety of purposes and in a wide range of forms including stories, poetry and other non-narrative texts such as letters and speeches. They are encouraged to draft and edit their work refining vocabulary choice and amending grammar to improve the overall effectiveness of a given piece. Students are taught to give presentations and speeches in a variety of contexts and are encouraged to participate in classroom debates and discussions.

All Saints English Department offers a range of enrichment activities and experiences such as Poetry Slam and Spelling Bee to name a few.

Summary:

The KS3 Curriculum allows students to study a range of different texts which provide the students with opportunities to analyse texts and comment on the writer’s craft. Students start with the Y7 baseline assessment before they start a unit on Boyne’s text ‘Boy in Striped Pyjamas’ where students are also taught about the context of the Holocaust. Shakespeare is also covered with a unit dedicated on Tempest. Students also get the opportunity to study a number of traditional and modern poems where students are taught how to analyse poems before they are given the opportunity to write their own. Reading and writing tasks are set weekly together with weekly spellings and fortnightly literacy classes.

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer


The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 


Traditional Poetry/ Rime of The ancient Mariner



Our Day Out by Willy Russell




Underground to Canada by Barbara Schmucker



The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Summary:

In Year 8, students start with the study of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ which introduces the concept of tragedy. This is interwoven with non-fiction, developing students’ appreciation of the relationships between text and context. The English curriculum includes not only canonical texts but also a range of diverse voices, including poetry from different cultures and traditions and short stories by a host of authors.



Autumn

Spring

Summer


Macbeth by William Shakespeare



Travel Writing






Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo



Building Skills in English Book 3  Unit 4 Language of Warfare




Stone Cold/Animal Farm/ A Christmas Carol



Charles Dickens Unit Based on extracts from Oliver Twist and Great Expectations



Summary:

Students begin Year 9 with the study of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which introduces key threshold concepts including romantic tragedy and dramaturgy. Students move on to the study of poetry, focusing on a selection of modern and traditional poems, exploring universal themes and examining how poets use structure, form and imagery to convey meaning, before tackling Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’, a play about social class prejudice from a strong socialist view. Following this, students analyse a number of speeches after which they write their own and learn to deliver powerful presentations in the style of Ted Talks.

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Introduction to Romeo and Juliet


Explorations in creative reading and writing




Approaches to Poetry



Analysing non-fiction texts

An Inspector Calls



Analysing speeches and presenting

Useful websites:

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bitesize

http://www.aqa.org.uk/

https://www.bl.uk/catalogues-and-collections/digital-collections#

https://englishapp.pixl.org.uk/#top

 

KS4

Summary

EXAM BOARD: AQA English Language 8700. – 2 exams

                      AQA English Literature 8702 – 2 exams

                           

At All Saints, students prepare for the AQA English Language and Literature course where they acquire a double award in the subject at the end of Y11. Both courses will have terminal exams in Year 11 but mock exams and regular internal assessments are carried out so that students gain sufficient practice to write under exam conditions.

Revision and intervention classes run weekly and these sessions are designed to consolidate students learning where there are gaps to ensure that our students are best prepared for these exams. We advise that students should take revision seriously with a clear pathway designed into achieving their full potential in the subject. Since 20% of the English Language marks is awarded for the quality of the students spelling, grammar and punctuation, we strongly suggest that regular independent work on SPAG to improve literacy and quality of expression is carried out. 

Summary:

Students start the year with the study of the gothic novel by Stevenson ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ where they are taught how to analyse and develop a critical appreciation for the writer’s craft where they are able to explore the influence of context and the methods used by the writer to present ideas. In the study from the AQA anthology, students study a range of different poems from the Love and Relationships section which touch on a number of universal themes. In Language, students study a wide range of different texts where they learn the skills on how to respond to questions based on the text. Lessons are designed to also provide ample time for writing which will allow students to improve the quality of their written expression. 

Autumn

Spring

Summer

English Literature

    Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 


English Literature


Paper 2: Modern texts and. Poetry

Love and Relationships Poetry

+

Unseen Poetry

English Literature

Paper 2: Modern texts and. Poetry




English Language


Spoken Language Component


English Language

Paper 2 


Section A Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

English Language

Paper 2 


Section B Presenting a point of view

+ End of year test 

Summary:

With most of the curriculum covered in Y10, the programme of study in Y11 is focussed on revision where students plan and work on a number of practice papers to become familiar with the style of questions from the exam board. In conjunction with lessons, revision classes and tutorials are also held to further support out students in their preparation for the public examinations. 

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer


English Language: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Paper 1 MOCK TEST


English Literature:

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

Paper 2 MOCK TEST 




English Language:

Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives

Paper 2 MOCK TEST


English Literature

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

Paper 1 MOCK TEST


REVISION 






EXAMS

Additional Reading:

Revision guides compiled in school will be provided 

CGP revision guides

York Notes

Academic writing on the studied texts 

 

Useful websites:

www.aqa.org.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/gcsebitsize

www.thestudentroom.co.uk

www.revisionworld.co.uk

www.educationquizzes.com

www.revisioncentre.co.uk/gcse/english

www.gcsepod.com

www.literacyplanet.com

www.geoffbarton.co.uk/student-resources.php

 

KS5

KS5 Summary

 (EXAM BOARDS, NO. OF EXAMS etc)

Exam board: OCR 

Linear course: A Level 

No. of exams: 2 

 

This course is designed to develop a continued interest in English Literature. Students will be encouraged to read critically and independently, across centuries, genre and gender. Candidates respond to these texts in analytical and creative ways and are assessed through coursework (20%) and examination (80%). 

A minimum of eight texts covering prose, poetry and drama. The course encourages a student’s development as a confident, independent and reflective reader of a range of texts, learning to express responses effectively through speech and writing. 

 

Exam: 80% Assessment percentage Coursework: 20%

Summary:

The course is split in two and delivered by two teachers where one teacher takes on the teaching of the 1000 coursework and teaches Hamlet, The Great Gatsby and Age of Innocence. The second teacher will each Paradise Lost, Duchess of Malfi and Unseen American Extracts (1880-1940) while also delivering the curriculum in preparation for the 2000 word essay. 

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer


Coursework (1000 words) 

Text: Ariel by Sylvia Plath


Coursework (2000 words)

Text: Purple Hibiscus 

 The Glass Menagerie 


HAMLET


Paradise Lost Book 9 


HAMLET 


Paradise Lost Book 10 




Duchess of Malfi 


The Great Gatsby


Age of Innocence 





Comparison essays 

Paradise Lost & the Duchess of Malfi

Summary:

In Y13, students complete reading and annotations of all the exam texts followed by revision and exam practice to ensure that students are ready for the examinations. Students are provided with Further Reading packs, model essay examples and a number of exam practice papers which students are encouraged to practise regularly. Independent reading and discussion of texts with the application of flip learning make the discussion of texts very engaging and insightful with students taking charge of their learning. This results in improved, insightful and creative responses. 



Autumn

Spring

Summer


Age of Innocence 


Revision of Hamlet 


Unseen American 

extracts component (1880-1940)


Revision of Duchess of Malfi and Paradise Lost 


Essay practice 


December Mock 


Unseen American Extracts essay practice 


Revision and comparative essay on The Great Gatsby and Age of Innocence


 Revision of Duchess of Malfi and Paradise Lost 


Essay practice 


March Mock 


 Exam revision 


Full revision of component 1 & 2 

Additional Reading:

Further reading packs with a range of further reading materials and websites are provided at the very start of the course which encourage students to develop their independent learning skills.

 

Useful websites:

www.academia.org 

www.ocr.org

www.jstor.com 

www.litcharts.com