English language and literature

Introduction to subject

All year groups are taught English during their time at the academy.

Key stage 3 (KS3) have 4 periods a week, with years 7 and 8 having three periods a week in the classroom and one period a week in the library.  Key stage four KS4 also have 4 periods a week, 2 for literature and 2 for language.

English language and literature are taught together at KS3 and develop the core skills required for both GCSE subjects and beyond. Once the students reach year 10, the two subjects become more defined, leading up to the two separate qualifications that the students will achieve at the end of year 11. Students also have the opportunity to study A Level Language and A Level literature as part of the HSFC provision.

Cultural capital is at the heart of our curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to explore a range of texts from a variety of different writers, backgrounds and experiences. This not only supports their knowledge and understanding of the world around them but also encourages healthy and lively debates about topics that matter to them. Each topic in KS3 ensures that students are exposed to religious, social, cultural and historical fiction and non-fiction texts and we offer a range of opportunities to reflect upon the knowledge discovered, debate current affairs and develop a personal response as a result. The curriculum is planned sequentially to build skills and knowledge in preparation for the demands of KS4.

Students have the opportunity to work on their communication skills alongside their ability to read and write in a range of different styles, text types and situations, all preparing the individual for life after the academy. Our curriculum is recursive, allowing students many opportunities to revisit, build and explore topics and skills taught in previous units, which in turn will increase fluency and independence.

Aims of the subject

We aim to:

• Provide students with the tools required to communicate in a range of social and cultural settings including the world of employment.
• Focus on the core skills required to function in society.
• Build on the skills taught at KS2 including skimming and scanning, reading for meaning, analysing and evaluating.
• Enable students to articulate their viewpoint on a wide range of issues.
• Provide creative writing opportunities for students within all topics.
• Broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live in.
• Deliver a recursive curriculum, which builds on the skills taught in previous years.

Key stage 4

English language and literature are taught separately at KS4. Students build on the skills taught at KS3, cementing them into everyday practice in preparation for the end of key stage exams and beyond. Students also use their key knowledge and vocabulary developed at KS3 to analyse and evaluate the core texts required for the literature qualification. Students also take part in a spoken language element of the language course, which enables them to deliver a presentation to their peers and work on their communication skills.

Timetabled opportunities for both formal and informal assessments throughout the two-year course.

How will I be assessed?

• Examinations

Future pathways and careers

• Further study of English
• Higher education
• English skills are vital for any job role