Subject: English
Subject Overview:

The study of English is essential to support learners on their way to becoming productive, engaged members of society. Developing reading and writing skills allows learners to understand a wide variety of texts and communicate their ideas clearly, effectively using a wide range of vocabulary.
In KS3 we aim to foster a real enthusiasm for the subject and develop the skills needed to be successful at KS4. We ensure that all learners are challenged and lessons are structured to ensure that all learners can realise their potential. All KS3 learners have a dedicated reading lesson that not only breeds a love of reading but also develops one of the most important skills that learners need for their academic school journey.

At GCSE level, learners will study for:
AQA GCSE English Language involves the study of Creative Reading and Writing in Paper 1 and the study of Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives in Paper 2.
AQA GCSE English Literature comprises the following examination units:
Paper 1 – Shakespeare (Macbeth) and the 19th century novel (The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde).
Paper 2 – Modern Texts (An Inspector Calls) and Poetry Anthology (Power and Conflict)

The Kepier English curriculum allows learners to immerse themselves in powerful knowledge; enabling them to see, understand and explore the underpinning ideas and intentions of writers from across literary history and a range of cultures. Learners will study a broad range of inspiring heritage and modern texts from outside of their day to day experience. After studying English at Kepier, learners will be able to read, write, think critically and communicate at a high standard, enabling them to become independent and knowledgeable contributors to their community, and society as a whole.

Key Stage 3
Content: Year 7: Year 8: Year 9:
Autumn Term 1: British Literature – The Woman in Black
Focus: Gothic features, reading & linked creative writing
British Literature – The Hound of the Baskervilles
Focus: Gothic features, reading, analysis and context
British Literature – A Christmas Carol
Focus: Gothic features, reading, analysis and context
Autumn Term 2: British Literature – The Woman in Black
Focus: Gothic features, reading & linked creative writing
British Literature – The Hound of the Baskervilles
Focus: Gothic features, reading, analysis and context
British Literature – A Christmas Carol
Focus: Gothic features, reading, analysis and context
Spring Term 1: Introduction to Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Focus: Reading, analysis and context
Love and Relationships – Romeo and Juliet
Focus: Reading, language analysis and context
Shakespearean Villains:

Focus: Reading, analysis and  Creative writing

Spring Term 2: Introduction to Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Focus: Reading, analysis and context
Love and Relationships – Romeo and Juliet
Focus: Reading, language analysis and context
Short Story Anthology and creative writing

Focus: Reading, analysis and  Creative writing

Summer Term 1: Transactional Writing –

Language analysis NF and transactional writing

Transactional Writing –

Language analysis NF and transactional writing

Transactional Writing –

Language analysis NF and transactional writing

Summer Term 2: Extended Reading – My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
Focus: Fiction reading + linked creative writing
Classic Literature – Animal Farm
Focus: reading, analysis and context
Focus: Poetry -an introduction to the Power and Conflict poetry
Key Stage 4
Content: Year 10: Year 11:
Autumn Term 1: Lang: Paper 1 Q5
Focus: Creative writing using the Kepier Toolkit 

Lit: Power and Conflict
Focus: Review of poems from Year 9 and in-depth analysis and comparisons

Lang: Paper 2 Q5 – Rhetoric
Focus: Transactional writing using the Kepier Toolkit
Lit: Unseen Poetry
Focus: Reviews of poetic techniques and how to approach unseen poetry.
Autumn Term 2: Lang: Redemption and Judgement
Focus: P1 F extracts + linked creative writing
Lit: An Inspector Calls
Focus: 1st teaching of text, in-depth plot and character study
Lang: Family Life / Society
Focus: P1 F extracts + linked creative writing
Lit: An Inspector Calls

Focus: First teaching of character, plot, themes and exam technique.

Spring Term 1: Lang: Fate and Freewill
Focus: P2 NF extracts + linked transactional writing
Lit: Jekyll and Hyde
Focus: (1st teaching of text, in-depth plot and character study)
Lang: Identity
Focus: P2 NF extracts + linked transactional writing + explicit exam question focus
Lit: Jekyll and Hyde

Focus: Revision of character, plot, themes and teaching of exam techniques

Spring Term 2: Lang: Tragedy
Focus: P1 F extracts + linked creative writing
Lit: Macbeth
Focus: (1st teaching of text, in-depth plot and character study)
Lang: The Supernatural / Mythology
Focus: P1 F extracts + linked creative writing + explicit exam question focus
Lit: Macbeth

Focus: Revision of character, plot, themes and teaching of exam techniques

Summer Term 1: Lang: Morality
Focus: P2 NF extracts + linked transactional writing
Lit: Macbeth
Lang: Exam Preparation
Focus: P1 + P2 revision with explicit focus on exam technique
Lit: Exam Preparation
Summer Term 2: Lang: Narratives and Narrators
Focus: P1 F extracts critical evaluation + linked creative writing
S+L
Lit: Power and Conflict Poetry
Focus: Review of texts and in-depth study.
N/A
Personalised Learning Checklist:
Click the links below to download your personalised learning checklist:

Additional Information:

If you have a question about the English curriculum you can use the form below to contact the English department.

    English Literature:
    GCSE Pod: https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts#6002/6062
    Macbeth: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zgq3dmn
    Jekyll and Hyde: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/topics/z8642p3
    An Inspector Calls: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zpr639q
    Poetry: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zs43ycw

    English Language:
    GCSE Pod: https://members.gcsepod.com/shared/podcasts#6002/6061
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zgkj39q
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z34dycw
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zyg9nbk
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zs3chv4
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zpyg6fr

    How can parents support their child’s progress in this subject?

    1. Encourage your child to read something every day. This could be novels, magazines, newspapers, online blogs and other articles.
    2. Talk to your child about their reading: ask them to summarise briefly what the piece was about: can they give you the overall viewpoint of the article? Can they say anything about how the writer got that viewpoint across? Do they agree or disagree with the article? Why?
    3. Whenever your child completes any written work at home, ask them to carefully check their spelling and punctuation before they finish.
    4. Re-read texts studied for Literature.
    5. Watch film/TV versions of Literature texts.
    6. Regularly use GCSE Pod for revision.

    Extra-Curricular Activities:

    1. Creative Writing Club
    2. Media Club
    3. Reading in the library
    4. Extra-Curricular revision for Y11 learners