English Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Intent
The English curriculum at our school aims to inspire a lifelong love of reading, writing and critical thinking. Through literature and language, students explore the power of words to shape ideas, express identity and connect communities.
We believe that every student should leave school as an articulate, confident and independent communicator — able to read and think deeply, write with precision and creativity, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
From Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, our curriculum develops students’ ability to analyse, infer and evaluate meaning, while encouraging curiosity, empathy and imagination. Lessons build progressively towards mastery of key concepts in both English Literature and English Language.
English reflects our four curriculum pillars:
- Knowledge – Students acquire a broad understanding of literary heritage and linguistic development, studying canonical and contemporary texts while building the vocabulary and grammar needed to communicate with clarity and sophistication.
- Independence – Through discussion, research and extended writing, students learn to form and justify their own interpretations, developing resilience and ownership of their ideas.
- Empowerment – English empowers students to articulate opinions, challenge perspectives and understand the world through different cultural, social and historical lenses.
- Inclusion – Our curriculum celebrates diverse voices, experiences and texts from across the globe. Every student sees themselves reflected in what they read and learns to respect the experiences of others.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)
The KS3 English curriculum establishes the foundation for success at GCSE and beyond. Students study a rich range of classic and modern novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction, developing the ability to read critically, write creatively and speak persuasively.
Core learning includes:
- Reading and analysing whole texts to explore character, theme, structure and context
- Developing analytical writing through structured essays and comparative analysis
- Writing for purpose and audience: narrative, descriptive, persuasive and informative forms
- Exploring grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure to enhance expression
- Building speaking and listening confidence through debate, presentation and performance
Texts Studied:
Year 7
- The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon – exploring grief, injustice, growth and courage through one child’s story
- William Shakespeare – examining snippets of a range of his works, exploring his use of language
- Poetry through the ages – an introduction to poetry through English literary history
- Non-Fiction: autobiographical and factual writing about belonging and resilience
- Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo – exploring class, friendship, family and discrimination
Year 8
- Sherlock Holmes – exploring mystery, deduction and the unsettling presence of the supernatural
- Horror Writing – developing tension, atmosphere and suspense through original creative writing
- Romeo and Juliet – examining love, loyalty, conflict and the consequences of long-standing feuds
- Conflict Poetry – exploring how poets present emotional, physical and societal conflict
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – exploring culture, identity, tradition and the impact of colonialism
- Non-Fiction & Poetry on Social Issues – analysing viewpoints and voices that address key societal challenges and their effects
Year 9
- Animal Farm by George Orwell – exploring power, corruption, manipulation and the dangers of totalitarianism
- Poetry on Power and Corruption – examining how poets expose inequality, authority and abuse of power
- Argumentative & Persuasive Writing – developing confident written viewpoints on issues of power and justice
- Much Ado About Nothing – investigating comedy, deception, relationships and Shakespeare’s use of satire
- Media & Storyboarding – analysing film techniques and creating visual narratives to understand comedic structure
- Iridescent Adolescent (short story collection) – exploring contemporary themes of youth, identity and societal pressure
- A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller – examining community, migration, identity and the consequences of moral and social codes
By the end of KS3, students can write analytically, use evidence effectively and adapt their language for different audiences and purposes. They are well prepared to approach GCSE texts with insight, confidence and curiosity.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE English Language & Literature – AQA)
At GCSE, students study AQA English Language and AQA English Literature, developing the skills to interpret complex texts and express ideas clearly and imaginatively. Both courses complement one another and are taught in an integrated way.
English Language
Students explore how writers craft meaning and how language changes across time and form. They learn to write effectively for different audiences and purposes.
Key skills include:
- Analysing 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century fiction and non-fiction
- Comparing writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
- Writing creatively and descriptively
- Writing to argue, persuade or inform
- Understanding grammar, structure and vocabulary choices
Assessment: Two written exams testing reading comprehension and writing skills.
English Literature
Students study major literary texts that encourage critical thinking and cultural understanding.
Set texts include:
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology
- Unseen poetry analysis
Assessment: Two written exams testing analysis, comparison and interpretation of texts.
Across both courses, students are assessed on their ability to communicate effectively, interpret meaning and construct evidence-based arguments — essential skills for success in all subjects.
Key Stage 5 (A Level English Language (AQA) and English Literature (EdExcel))
At A Level, students can specialise in either English Language or English Literature, both of which develop advanced analytical, interpretative and evaluative skills valued by universities and employers.
A Level English Language
Students study how language is shaped by context, identity and society. They explore language change over time, child language development and the diversity of English across regions, professions and cultures.
Year 12:
- Analysing Texts and Language Levels
- Language Diversity and Change
- The Power of Storytelling (NEA focus)
Year 13:
- Social and Occupational Variations
- Child Language Development
- The History of English
- NEA Investigations into real-world language data
Assessment includes two exam papers and one independent research project (Non-Exam Assessment).
A Level English Literature
Students explore how writers present human experience across time and genre, connecting themes of love, identity, power and morality.
Year 12:
- Othello (Shakespeare)
- A Thousand Splendid Suns and Wuthering Heights (Prose)
- Introduction to coursework (NEA)
Year 13:
- A Streetcar Named Desire (Drama)
- Poems of the Decade and Christina Rossetti (Poetry)
- Coursework final drafts and exam preparation
Assessment includes two written papers and one coursework component comparing two texts of the student’s choice.
A Level English Literature fosters deep critical thinking, empathy and cultural awareness — equipping students to analyse the world through multiple perspectives.
Links to Other Areas of Study
English underpins success across the curriculum. Reading and writing with accuracy support progress in all subjects, while the study of literature and language develops empathy, analytical reasoning and communication — skills vital for higher education and employment.
Students of English often progress to degrees and careers in law, journalism, education, politics, me
