Curriculum

English

Curriculum Intent

Our mission in teaching English is to foster a lifelong love of the written and spoken word.  We want our students to be characterised by their love of reading and by their appreciation of the nuances of language and the power of literature.  We celebrate a diversity of perspectives and experiences and explore how these continually evolve over time.  Students in English are inspired to discover their own personal voice and are taught how to use this in order to develop their creativity and sense of identity.

How knowledge and skills build through Key Stage 3

Our varied and exciting Key Stage 3 curriculum challenges all of our students to engage with a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Our offering exceeds the expectations of the National Curriculum, both in the number of texts we teach and the challenge of the work we ensure our students can access. We are unapologetic in our desire to expose our students to challenging and thought-provoking texts. Indeed, much of our teaching of English comes through literary sources as this enriches and enlivens our lessons and develops the cultural capital of our students.

We give our students a firm foundation in the canon of English Literature, but we also prioritise their exposure to contemporary texts offering a range of perspectives. We integrate bespoke Language topics into our Key Stage 3 curriculum to ensure all of our students have opportunities to share their voice with others, both aloud and on the page, in addition to ensuring they can write and speak with confidence and accuracy. Our selected units of work link to three universal themes which prepare students not only for the range of ideas and voices they will experience at GCSE and Post-16, but also in the wider world beyond their education: Year 7 is Identity, Belonging and Self-discovery; Year 8 is Appearance, Reality and Deception; Year 9 is Fear, Anger and Injustice.

Everything we study in each year connects to these challenging concepts and by exploring each unit through these different lenses, our students’ appreciation of their texts and of themselves is deeper and more profound. We passionately believe in the importance of a three-year Key Stage 3 English curriculum to enrich the knowledge and understanding of our students and to ensure they are ready to embark upon the rigour of an externally set examination course.

How it builds on the Key Stage 2 primary curriculum

We are committed to embracing the joy of reading and stories often fostered in Key Stage 2 and to ensure this is not lost as our students progress through Kingshill. We actively integrate the technical understanding of language emphasised by the Key Stage 2 curriculum and ensure this is consolidated in our students’ knowledge. We also expand this by introducing an increasingly sophisticated repertoire of technical vocabulary in order to keep developing the depth of our students’ appreciation of language and how it works. In addition to this, we utilise the retrieval and inference skills our students have developed in Key Stage 2 and expand upon this by introducing the analysis and evaluation of language use, as well as the importance of writing in a variety of forms for different purposes.

Link to Key Stage 4 GCSE curriculum
Beyond Kingshill – Post 16 and careers

The English GCSEs are versatile, relevant and respected qualifications and both can be continued at A Level in one of our local schools and colleges.  Studying English can lead to such varied career paths and involvement in a range of industries and professions, including the media, education, law and politics.  English equips students with many skills that are attractive to employers, including being able to: communicate clearly and persuasively; empathise with a range of people; analyse closely and with thought; think deeply and profoundly about ideas and perspectives.

Useful links/resources

 

What topics will my child study? 

The topics in Year 7 are connected by the themes of ‘Identity, belonging and self-discovery’

  1. Drama: Frankenstein (play script by Philip Pullman)
  2. Genre study: Mythology
  3. Novel: Medusa by Jessie Burton
  4. Shakespeare: The Tempest
  5. Ambitious Voices: Race and Equality
  6. Poetry: Why I Belong (poetry from modern Britain)
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?

Students will understand a range of myths and have an awareness of Shakespeare’s world and his writing. They will also appreciate how identity is formed and influenced and how this has been expressed in a range of literature. Students will be able to articulate a range of techniques that form a writer’s craft and they will be able to employ these themselves in a variety of forms, including speeches, stories, descriptions and critical paragraphs.

What homework will they get?

In Year 7, homework is completed in bespoke homework booklets, to help students keep themselves organised and focused. The learning opportunities in each booklet will correspond with what they are studying in class and will often be connected to the knowledge organiser for that topic, providing students with the opportunity to consolidate their understanding from class.

How will they be assessed in English?
  • Each topic will be accompanied by a knowledge test which will be completed towards the end of their study.
  • They will also be assessed formatively on a range of writing throughout the year, with feedback being given to individuals and the whole class during lesson time.
  • A holistic assessment of their progress will be completed by their teacher three times across the year.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
  • Establish a routine of reading every day at home for 20 minutes.
  • Listen to them read aloud for 5 minutes at least three times per week.
  • Ask to see their homework every week and check that it is completed fully.
  • Ask them about the books and topics they are studying in English.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?

Comic Book Club; Young Writers’ Club; Poetry Club; Book Club; poet visit in October; author visit in May; Cheltenham Book Festival.

What topics will my child study? 

The topics in Year 8 are connected by the themes of ‘Appearance, reality and deception’

  1. Drama: Oliver Twist (play script)
  2. Shakespeare: Macbeth
  3. Genre study: Dystopian fiction
  4. Novel: The Giver by Lois Lowry
  5. Ambitious Voices: Climate Crisis
  6. Poetry: A Song of Seasons (nature poetry)
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?

Students will have knowledge of the world of Dickens’ writing and develop an appreciation of Shakespearean tragedy. They will also understand the distinction between appearance and reality in literature and why deception is such a common theme in writing. Students will be able to articulate a greater range of techniques that form a writer’s craft and they will be able to employ these themselves in an increasing variety of forms, including letters, scripts, descriptions and critical paragraphs.

What homework will they get?

In Year 8, homework is completed in bespoke homework booklets, to help students keep themselves organised and focused. The learning opportunities in each booklet will correspond with what they are studying in class and will often be connected to the knowledge organiser for that topic, providing students with the opportunity to consolidate their understanding from class.

How will they be assessed in English?
  • Each topic will be accompanied by a knowledge test which will be completed towards the end of their study.
  • They will also be assessed formatively on a range of writing throughout the year, with feedback being given to individuals and the whole class during lesson time.
  • Each topic will also contain a summative assessment that consists of knowledge questions, comprehension tasks and the opportunity for students to write at length.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
  • Establish a routine of reading every day at home for 20 minutes.
  • Listen to them read aloud for 5 minutes at least three times per week.
  • Ask to see their homework every week and check that it is completed fully.
  • Ask them about the books and topics they are studying in English.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?

Westonbirt Arboretum nature writing trip; Comic Book Club; Young Writers’ Club; Poetry Club; Book Club; poet visit in October; author visit in May; Cheltenham Book Festival

What topics will my child study? 

The topics in Year 9 are connected by the themes of ‘Fear, anger and injustice’

  1. Drama: Journey’s End by R. C. Sherriff
  2. Genre study: Ghost stories
  3. Novel: The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
  4. Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
  5. Ambitious Voices: Gender and Feminism
  6. Poetry: Power and Conflict (war poetry)
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?

Students will have knowledge of the craft of the dramatist and an understanding of Edwardian society and values pre-WW1. They will also develop an appreciation of Shakespearean comedy. Students will also learn the importance of context to understanding meaning and why issues of injustice and anger lie at the heart of much great writing. Students will be able to articulate a wide range of techniques that form a writer’s craft and they will be able to employ these with confidence in a variety of forms.

What homework will they get?

In Year 9, homework is completed in bespoke homework booklets, to help students keep themselves organised and focused. The learning opportunities in each booklet will correspond with what they are studying in class and will often be connected to the knowledge organiser for that topic, providing students with the opportunity to consolidate their understanding from class.

How will they be assessed in English?
  • Each topic will be accompanied by a knowledge test which will be completed towards the end of their study.
  • They will also be assessed formatively on a range of writing throughout the year, with feedback being given to individuals and the whole class during lesson time.
  • Each topic will also contain a summative assessment that consists of knowledge questions, comprehension tasks and the opportunity for students to write at length.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
  • Establish a routine of reading every day at home for 20 minutes.
  • Listen to them read aloud for 5 minutes at least three times per week.
  • Ask to see their homework every week and check that it is completed fully.
  • Ask them about the books and topics they are studying in English.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?

Woodchester Mansion ghost writing trip; The Woman in Black theatre visit; Comic Book Club; Young Writers’ Club; Poetry Club; Book Club; poet visit in October.

What topics will my child study? 

The topics in Year 10 are connected by the theme of ‘Power and conflict’

  1. Modern British text: An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley
  2. 19th Century novel: A Christmas Carol
  3. Poetry: Power and conflict
  4. Explorations in creative reading and writing (Language Paper 1)
  5. Poetry: Power and conflict
  6. Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives (Language Paper 2)
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?

Students will be able to read a text critically and demonstrate full comprehension of a range of texts. They will be able to identify key themes and summarise information accurately and succinctly. They will also be able to evaluate a writer’s choice of vocabulary, form and grammar in addition to comparing ideas across texts. Student’s will be able to produce controlled and organised pieces of writing in different forms and be able to write for specific impact. They will also be able to speak in a clear and coherent way to an audience and respond to the spoken language of others.

What homework will they get?

In Year 10 homework is primarily set using the online platforms Seneca and Educake. This homework will consolidate what students have studied in lessons. They will also receive revision homework at the discretion of their teacher and this will utilise the knowledge organizer for the allocated topic. Closer to exams, students will also receive homework in the form of exemplar papers and exam questions.

How will they be assessed in English?
  • Each topic will be accompanied by a knowledge test which will be completed towards the end of their study.
  • They will also be assessed formatively on a range of writing throughout the year, with feedback being given to individuals and the whole class during lesson time.
  • Each topic will also contain an assessment consisting of a GCSE-style question.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
  • Establish a routine of reading every day at home for 20 minutes.
  • Ask to see their homework every week and check that it is completed fully.
  • If possible, buy them the recommended copy of the texts and accompanying study guides. These are available to purchase through school at a discounted price.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?

Comic Book Club; Young Writers’ Club; Poetry Club; Book Club; poet visit in October; An Inspector Calls theatre trip.

What topics will my child study? 
  1. Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
  2. Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives (Language Paper 2)
  3. Poetry: unseen poetry
  4. Revision
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?

Students will be able to read a text critically and demonstrate full comprehension of a range of texts. They will be able to identify key themes and summarise information accurately and succinctly. They will also be able to evaluate a writer’s choice of vocabulary, form and grammar in addition to comparing ideas across texts. Student’s will be able to produce controlled and organised pieces of writing in different forms and be able to write for specific impact. They will also be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by writing precisely in examination conditions.

What homework will they get?

In Year 10 homework is primarily set using the online platforms Seneca and Educake. This homework will consolidate what students have studied in lessons. They will also receive revision homework at the discretion of their teacher and this will utilise the knowledge organizer for the allocated topic. Closer to exams, students will also receive homework in the form of exemplar papers and exam questions.

How will they be assessed in English?
  • Each topic will be accompanied by a knowledge test which will be completed towards the end of their study.
  • They will also be assessed formatively on a range of writing throughout the year, with feedback being given to individuals and the whole class during lesson time.
  • Each topic will also contain an assessment consisting of a GCSE-style question.
  • Mock examinations in November and March.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
  • Establish a routine of reading every day at home for 20 minutes.
  • Help them to organize their notes, books and folders for revision and support them in organizing a revision timetable for mocks and the real exams.
  • If possible, buy them the recommended copy of the texts and accompanying study guides. These are available to purchase through school at a discounted price.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?

Comic Book Club; Young Writers’ Club; Poetry Club; Book Club; poet visit in October; Poetry Live! trip; Stratford-upon-Avon trip.

 

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