Download the Curriculum Statement for English
Academic year 2021-22
What are we studying?
YEAR 7
Term 1 – 6
Year 7 will begin their five year learning journey studying texts that introduce them to characterisation, theme and genre. The texts studied are stepping-stones to the key exam texts studied in Y10 and Y11. We focus on key skills and explore ideas that link with our No Limits, ATL, curriculum.
In Term 1 students will explore Greek Mythology, considering themes of morality, equality, democracy and the art of story-telling. As they move through the year, they continue their analytical exploration, focusing on Poetry which explores love and loss, Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein and a range of non-fiction texts.
Assessment will focus on key literature and language exam skills.
OTHER INFORMATION
Students will have opportunities throughout the year to enrich their textual studies with extra-curricular trips and workshops. In Term 1, they will participate in a Greek Mythology workshop provided by The Story Museum in Oxford.
YEAR 8
Term 1 – 6
Year 8 will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts that focus on important themes we experience as people but also exploring literary fantasy. These units will enable them to strengthen their communication skills, deepen empathy and improve creativity.
The texts studied build on the Y7 texts and are stepping stones to the key exam texts studied in Y10 and Y11. The texts studied are War Poetry, Shakespeare, A Monster Calls, Cirque Du Freak and a range of fiction and non-fiction texts that explore what it means to be human.
Assessments will focus on literature and language exam skills.
OTHER INFORMATION
Students will have opportunities throughout the year to enrich their textual studies with extra-curricular trips and workshops.
YEAR 9
Term 1 – 6
Year 9 will focus on texts that have crime or the need for equality as a central theme. Not only is inclusivity and equality a focus for our school community, but it is a common theme for many of their key Y11 exam texts. Our curriculum will therefore help students prepare for the deep thematic analysis required at KS4
The texts studied build on the Y8 texts and are stepping stones to the key exam texts studied in Y10 and Y11. In Term 1 students will study Of Mice and Men and will explore themes of crime, class, gender and discrimination. Later on in the year they explore creative writing inspired by image, Blood Brothers, Poems from other Cultures, Twelfth Night and propaganda writing.
Assessments will focus on literature and language exam skills.
OTHER INFORMATION
Students will have opportunities throughout the year to enrich their textual studies with extra-curricular trips and workshops.
YEAR 10
Term 1 – 6
Y10 begin the exam pathway and all texts and skills studied are those vital for their exam success in Y11.
In Term 1 students will study Shakespeare’s Macbeth and will explore themes of revenge, loyalty, love, hate, gender, tragedy, conflict, religion and Science. As the year progresses students will study A Christmas Carol, Language exam skills and An Inspector Calls. The year ends with students sitting their Spoken Language Endorsement exam.
Assessments will focus on literature and language exam skills.
OTHER INFORMATION
Every five lessons a student-led revision lesson will be delivered.
Students will hopefully have the opportunity to experience a live performance of the texts.
OTHER INFORMATION
Tri -Weekly assessments will help us gauge progress and plan to meet students’ needs.
YEAR 11
Term 1 – 6
Y11 begin the year focusing on their poetry anthology for the Literature Paper 2 exam, which explores poems with themes of power and conflict. Students have 15 poems to explore in total. They will then have studied the content for their English Literature GCSE and our lessons will be based around exam skills and revision for both English qualifications.
The anthology includes the following poems: Ozymandias, London, The Prelude, My Last Duchess, The Charge of the light Brigade, Exposure, Storm on the Island, Bayonet Charge, Remains, Poppies, War Photographer, Tissue, The Emigree, Checking out me History and Kamikaze.
Assessments will focus on literature and language exam skills.
OTHER INFORMATION
Every five lessons a student-led revision lesson will be delivered.
Every other week they will have an after school intervention session
Students will hopefully have the opportunity to experience a live performance of the texts, depending on the Coronavirus restrictions.
WEBSITES
CONTACT DETAILS
Head of Subject: Sophie Duncan
SDuncan@wykhampark-aspirations.org
THE ENGLISH TOOLBOX
Everything you need to be successful in English:
- An ability to explore explicit and implicit information in a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts
- Reading for pleasure – good readers make good writers!
- Practice using PEAS to help structure your responses
- Write Creatively
KEY VOCABULARY
- PEAS
- Language
- Structure
- Technique
- Context
- Inference
- Denotation
- Connotation
- Analysis
- Evaluation
- Exploration