Our approach
Curriculum Overview
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13

Our approach

English is the art of effective thought, interpretation, and communication. It is the bedrock of the curriculum, developing pupils’ essential reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills; as well as their knowledge of literary concepts, social and historical contexts, and vocabulary. Pupils read a wide range of texts from different genres, places, and time periods; considering how a range of different voices use texts to build worlds and convey their viewpoints and perspectives to different audiences. Using consistent and well-practised approaches, which are carefully mapped backwards from Year 13 to Year 7, pupils explore the relationships between readers and texts. Pupils learn to think critically about the world and what others write about it, and in turn, express their own worldview confidently and successfully.

Using a consistent approach, mapped from Year 7 to Year 13, students will explore the relationship between a reader and the text, learning to critically think about the world and others through their reading, writing and speaking about texts. In Literature, students will access a range of texts from different places and time periods, considering plot, character, themes, and context in relation to core messages. In the study of Language, students will develop fluency in reading, writing, and speaking for a range of purposes, forms and audiences. 

Our English curriculum is cumulative, focusing on specific “core” reading, writing and speaking skills. The curriculum aims to focus on fewer skills, for longer and repeatedly so they are mastered by students. Students then have opportunities to use a range of different texts and genres to apply their learning and make connections throughout the school year to enable them to consolidate their learning. 

Exam Board
KS4: AQA
KS5: Edexcel

Curriculum Overview

Year 7

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Heroes and Villains: A Monster Calls Heroes and Villains: Myths and Legends
Spring 1 Spring 2
Heroes and Villains: Oliver Twist Heroes and Villains: Non-fiction Anthology (Heroes of Today)
Summer 1 Summer 2
Heroes and Villans: Poetry Heroes and Villains: Frankenstein (Drama)

All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Science

Year 8

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Justice and Equality: The Giver Justice and Equality: Sherlock Holmes
Spring 1 Spring 2
Justice and Equality: The Tempest (Shakespeare) Justice and Equality: Poetry Anthology
Summer 1 Summer 2
Justice and Equality: Animal Farm Justice and Equality: Refugee Boy (Drama)

All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Science

Year 9

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Identity and Belonging

Contemporary novel: 'Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry'

Identity and Belonging

Pre-1914 novel: 'A Christmas Carol'
Spring 1 Spring 2

Identity and Belonging

Shakespeare: 'Romeo and Juliet'

Identity and Belonging

Identity and belonging fiction anthology
Summer 1 Summer 2

Identity and Belonging

Poetry: 'Identity and Belong' anthology (comparative)

Identity and Belonging

Drama: 'A Taste of Honey'

All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Science

Year 10

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Post 1914 fiction: 'An Inspector Calls' English Language Paper 1
Spring 1 Spring 2
Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' Language Paper 2
Summer 1 Summer 2
Power and Conflict Poetry Speaking and Listening Assessment

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Science

Year 11

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Power and Conflict Poetry AND unseen poetry 19th Century fiction: 'Jekyll and Hyde'
Spring 1 Spring 2
Revision Revision
Summer 1 Summer 2
Revision Revision

All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Science

Year 12

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Othello The Handmaid's Tale
Spring 1 Spring 2
A Streetcar Named Desire Frankenstein
Summer 1 Summer 2

Coursework (The Lord of the Flies and Songs of Innocence and Experience by Blake)

William Blake poetry

Coursework (The Lord of the Flies and Songs of Innocence and Experience by Blake)

William Blake poetry

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Science

Year 13

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Victorian Poetry Modern Poetry
Spring 1 Spring 2
Revision Revision
Summer 1 Summer 2
Revision Revision

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Science