English
English Curriculum Intent
English forms the basis for our development, relationships and our understanding of the world around us. The study of English is key to our personal growth and, through the development of effective written and spoken communication, it is the foundation for all our learning. The ability to communicate effectively, confidently and with clarity is crucial in school, but also in becoming an effective participant in our wider society with skills of communication being key to accessing the world of work and in navigating adult life. In a fast paced, global world the importance of fluent written and spoken English is crucial and it is essential that we develop these skills through an effective English curriculum.
From Year 7, students build on the foundations of the primary curriculum through a systematic exposure to a wide range of high-quality literature that promotes high expectations and challenge. In Years 7-8 students follow a thematic curriculum aimed at inspiring awe and wonder-to allow students to apply the cognitive skills such as reading, thinking, memorising, and writing in the context of a real-life situation to facilitate creative exploration for each student. We not only promote reading for pleasure to ignite a curiosity in students, but also as a way of acquiring knowledge and exploring the world in ways that develop a student’s cultural capital and emotional intellect.
Our implementation of Reciprocal Reading strategies recognises the barriers students face in accessing challenging texts such as: complexity of narrator, non-linear time sequences, complexity of story or archaic texts and encourages students to confidently explore and probe the literal and layered meanings in the texts they read whilst equipping them with skills for independent reading. In Key Stage 3 students have regular library lessons to reiterate the importance of reading.
Through our curriculum we actively encourage students to develop their close reading skills so they can confidently and methodically break down the language and structure of a complex passage to establish and analyse meaning. Furthermore, in order to develop accountable and independent readers, we have purposely planned a curriculum which is broad and balanced whilst covering the National Curriculum.
As our students progress through the English curriculum, they are continually developing their close reading skills through exposure to increasingly challenging fiction and non-fiction, which include works by 19th, 20th and 21st century writers. We want our students to be able to engage with a range of texts with confidence and to develop their skills in decoding difficult texts, gathering carefully selected evidence, evaluating texts in detail and possessing the ability to explore multiple texts simultaneously to formulate and articulate personal viewpoints. The development of these skills feeds directly into their study of spoken language and the importance of verbal communication in accessing the world around them. Opportunities have been created for students to debate and discuss their ideas through a range of individual and group presentations, speeches, performing plays and reading aloud. We firmly believe that exposure to a range of opportunities builds a confidence in students and allows them to develop their life-long skills in verbal communication.
Confidence, control and accuracy in a range of writing is developed through frequent opportunities to write for a range of audiences and purposes. It is important that students use writing as an opportunity to formulate and develop their ideas and to use writing as a way to think critically about a topic and express their point of view. Across all writing activities, students are exposed to the importance of accuracy and the ability for students to construct and revise sentences for effect and impact is vital. In order to develop their skills, students are encouraged to expand their use of vocabulary through probing and investigating the nuances of language in order to enhance their written expression and clarity.
The English curriculum in our school offers a breadth of learning topics and opportunities exposing students to effective challenge and aspirations, so they can build and refine long-lasting skills for the future. Subsequently, we offer a curriculum which has appropriate challenge for all students and aims to allow students to flourish in the skills required for success in their chosen progression routes.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Students are offered extra-curricular opportunities at lunch time which include:
- The Blenheim Book Club (open to all)
- The Blenheim Chronicles - Student Newspaper (open to all)
- Key Stage 4 Literature club
- Facilitation of the Young Writers’ Competition whereby students are given the opportunity to be published
Extended day sessions are arranged for students in year 11 and 13 throughout the week.
Theatre trips, university lecturer visits and visiting productions of novels are all part of the English curriculum.
Ways families can help support
Parents can support in a number of different ways. In particular the following will really support your child in their learning:
- Completing 2 Bedrock lessons online a week
- Reading at home daily
- Researching the context of the studied texts and their writers
- Practising spelling and revising grammatical terminology with students
- Ensuring homework is completed
The video below aims to provide parents with some useful strategies when reading with their child, develop their child’s literacy skills and help foster a love for reading.
Useful Links
https://app.bedrocklearning.org/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/
KS3 English
Years 7 and 8
Students cover and repeat key English skills through increasing levels of difficulty from Year 7-8. All classes cover a novel, writing and reading skills, poetry, non-fiction, a literary heritage play and a Shakespeare play.
All Key Stage 3 schemes of work are specifically planned to prepare students for GCSE study whilst encouraging a love and enthusiasm of literature alongside the creativity of language. The curriculum also covers topics and writers from a range of historical periods and cultures to ensure that students receive well-rounded exposure to a wide variety of texts.
Literacy lessons are explicitly built into the Key Stage 3 curriculum so that students can develop their knowledge of spelling strategies, varied punctuation and grammar rules. Students in Year 7 and 8 also have timetable sessions where they can visit the Library and engage in independent reading tasks to further their love of reading.
Students follow the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3 in Years 7 and 8.
Students will study:
Year 7 (Thematic Study):
Hours taught per fortnight: 8
Autumn Term: Facing Fears: War poetry and non-fiction writing
Spring Term: The Supernatural: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (play adaptation) and Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Summer Term: Telling Tales: A class novel: Coraline by Neil Gaiman and Gothic creative writing (speaking and listening)
Year 8 (Thematic Study):
Hours taught per fortnight: 8
Autumn Term: A Journey Around the World: Poetry from other Cultures and tales of Myths and Legends
Spring Term: A Journey Through Literature: Literary Heritage and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (play adaptation)
Summer Term: A Journey of Deception: Shakespeare’s, Much Ado About Nothing and seminal literature, George Orwell’s Animal Farm (speaking and listening)
What skills students develop
Reading
Students in Year 7 and 8 have a fortnightly Literacy lesson where they can develop their reading skills and become familiar with a broad range of reading materials. As part of their literacy study, students engage in 1 library lesson each half term as we encourage students to use the library regularly to read for pleasure as well as in lesson. As a welcome gift to Year 7 students and to encourage them to participate in reading for pleasure, a free novel is offered to students through the Bookbuzz scheme and once again for World Book Day.
Across Key Stage 3, students are taught a range of reading skills including skimming and scanning for information and annotation and summary skills. Every year we study a challenging whole-class novel, play and poetry where students are provided the opportunity to analyse writer’s intentions, develop their analytical and essay writing skills, learn to identify, and comment on the effect of the writer’s choices and consider the wider historical context. With a view to prepare our students for Key Stage 4 and independent learning, it is pivotal that reading for meaning is at the core of our teaching.
Writing
Students are taught the planning, note-taking, drafting and proof-reading skills vital for the whole curriculum and the world of work. Students are given stimulating and challenging tasks that fit into real-life contexts as well as meeting the demands of the GCSE exams. This includes a variety of creative tasks including narrative, description and poetry as well as non-fictional writing including reports, letters and speeches.
Speaking and Listening
Students are regularly given the chance to explore issues and ideas in English through discussion and talk. Students perform role-plays, talk in group and paired situations, listen for nuances of meaning and carry out individual presentations in order to build the skills required for GCSE English Language.
Assessment and Feedback
The English department continually track individual progress in reading, writing, speaking and listening throughout the year and will also provide the student with a GCSE grade in the termly Key Assessments. Homework and classwork is linked to the National Curriculum and the GCSE Assessment Objectives to build seamlessly into Key Stage 4.
Students will sit one Key Assessment at the end of every half term to demonstrate their knowledge of the skills and content taught in the unit of work. One Tri Weekly quiz will also be completed once every full term as a way of recapping prior learning. Feedback for these assessments is given and time to reflect on and improve assessments is built into each unit of work.
In English lessons at Blenheim, students will:
- use different dramatic approaches to explore texts and ideas
- analyse non-fiction texts including letters, newspapers, transcripts and leaflets
- develop and adapt active reading skills and strategies
- read a selection of extended texts examining language, characterisation and theme
- examine aspects of genre and form in poetry across the ages
- write their own texts – both fiction and non-fiction
- look at the evolution of language including the influence of technology
- take part in activities which will enrich their experience of English
Homework
- Homework is set weekly and consists of 2 Bedrock Vocabulary lessons and a spelling test every fortnight and 1 Bedrock Mapper lesson each half term
- Teachers follow the homework timetable but may need to supplement this with homework relating to preparations for Tri Weekly tests or Key Assessments
How parents can help
There are many ways in which you can help develop your child’s enthusiasm and build on their success in English. Ensuring that your child reads a range of both fiction and non-fiction will develop their vocabulary, reading skills and appreciation of different writing styles. Asking questions about their studies in English is another powerful tool to make young people realise that what they have learned is valuable both inside and outside the English classroom. Visiting museums, theatres and local libraries will enrich the breadth of their knowledge and understanding of English in the wider world. Using Showbie, Show My Homework and Bedrock are also excellent ways to stay involved with your child’s learning and to support them with their homework.
Extra-curricular Activities
- Theatre visits
- Workshops
- Author Visits
- Visits to museums/libraries
Clubs
- The Blenheim Book Club
- The Blenheim Chronicles – Student Newspaper
KS4 English Language and Literature GCSEs
Board and Exam
- AQA GCSE English Language
- AQA GCSE English Literature
- AQA Spoken Language
Link to full course specifications
Course Outline
The English Language, English Literature and Spoken Language qualifications encourage students to experience a broad range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students will be exposed to challenging content including texts from the English literary heritage. The courses enables students to think critically about spoken and written English.
English Language
The course focuses a mixture of fiction and non-fiction readings. Students are asked to skim and scan; analyse language and structure; evaluate a statement and compare to texts. In addition, students will have the opportunity explore creative and discursive writing.
English Literature
All assessments are closed book: students will study Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls and their Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology. Students will need to demonstrate their ability to write in detail about extracts of texts and then write about texts as a whole.
Spoken Language
The aim of the assessment is to allow students to demonstrate their speaking and listening skills by planning and performing a formal presentation.
What skills students develop
- Express themselves powerfully and imaginatively;
- Engage critically with a range of texts;
- Use reading skills to develop their written work;
- Select and adapt writing for different purposes and audiences;
- Explore plays, poetry and prose
- Work collaboratively using iPad technology, presenting skills, drafting and planning skills
How students are assessed
English Language
|
Exam (1.75 hrs) |
Explorations in creative reading and writing. |
50% of the qualification |
|
Exam (1.75 hrs) |
Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. |
50% of the qualification |
English Literature
|
Exam (1.75 hrs) |
Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel. |
40% of the qualification |
|
Exam (2.25 hrs) |
Modern texts and poetry. |
60% of the qualification |
Homework
Spelling, Bedrock and GCSEPod homework will be set fortnightly in order to encourage students work on essential Literacy skills.
How parents can help
- Ensure adequate revision is taking place in preparation for written examination
- Encourage your child to spend quality time completing homework assignments
- Keep up to date with mock exam dates and revision schedules
- Encourage reading at home of both fiction and non-fiction texts
- Ensure students read and annotate their set texts at home
Extra-curricular Activities
The team run a number of additional revision sessions for students to come and develop their English skills in a more informal context. Look out for a number of reading and writing competitions publicised throughout the year.
Clubs
The team run a number of additional revision sessions for students to come and develop their English skills in a more informal context. Look out for a number of reading and writing competitions publicised throughout the year. KS4 Literature Club running weekly and gives the students opportunities to dive into books and discuss with other like-minded students.
